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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
21
22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
24
25 # POSIX signal
26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
27
28 # child process exit
29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 31 ...
13 }); 32 });
14 33
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 36
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
41 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
22 42
23=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
24 44
25This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
26in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
27L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
28 48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
52channel, too.
53
54See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
55Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
56
29=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 57=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
30 58
31Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 59Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
32nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 60nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
33 61
34Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 62Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
35policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 63policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
36 64
37First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 65First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
38interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 66interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
39pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 67pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
40the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 68the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
41only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 69only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
42helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 70cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
71loops.
43 72
44The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 73The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
45programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 74programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
46religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 75religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
47module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 76module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
48model you use. 77model you use.
49 78
50For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 79For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
51actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 80actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
52like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 81like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
53cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 82cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
54isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 83that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
55I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 84module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
56 85
57AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 86AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
58fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 87fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
59with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 88with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
60your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 89your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
61too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 90too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
62event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 91event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
63as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 92use one of the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops
64event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 93to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
65 94
66In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 95In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
67model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 96model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
68modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 97modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
69follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 98follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
70offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 99offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
71technically possible. 100technically possible.
72 101
73Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 102Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
74of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 103of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
80useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 109useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
81model, you should I<not> use this module. 110model, you should I<not> use this module.
82 111
83=head1 DESCRIPTION 112=head1 DESCRIPTION
84 113
85L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 114L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
86allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 115allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
87users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 116module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
88peacefully at any one time). 117than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
89 118
90The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 119The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
91module. 120module.
92 121
93During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 122During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
109 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
110 139
111 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
112 141
113The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
114starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
115use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
116 146
117The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
118C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
119explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
120 150
127These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 157These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
128creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 158creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
129callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
130is in control). 160is in control).
131 161
162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
166widely between event loops.
167
132To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
133variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
134to it). 170to it).
135 171
136All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
137 173
138Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
139example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
140 176
141An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
142 178
143 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
144 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
145 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
146 }); 182 });
149my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
150declared. 186declared.
151 187
152=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
153 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
154You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
155with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
156 198
157C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch for events 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
158(AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file handle). C<poll> 200for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
201handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
202non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
203most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
204or block devices.
205
159must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a watcher 206C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
160waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively. C<cb> is the 207watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
208
161callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready. 209C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
162 210
163Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 211Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
164presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 212presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
165callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 213callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
166 214
167The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
168You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
169underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
170 218
171Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
172always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
173handles. 221handles.
174 222
175Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
176watcher. 224watcher.
181 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
182 }); 230 });
183 231
184=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
185 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
186You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
187method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
188 244
189C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
190supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
192 248
193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
196 252
197The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
198parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
199callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
200seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
201false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
202 258
203The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
204attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
205only approximate. 261only approximate.
206 262
207Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
208 264
209 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
227 283
228While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
229use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
230"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
231the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
232fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
233 289
234AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
235about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
236on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
237timers. 293timers.
238 294
239AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
240AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
262I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
263function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
264 320
265This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
266thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
267L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
268 324
269The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
270with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
271 327
272For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
273and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
274 330
275The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
276time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
277you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
278second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires 334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
279after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
280 336
298In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 354In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
299can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 355can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
300difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
301account. 357account.
302 358
359=item AnyEvent->now_update
360
361Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
362the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
363AnyEvent->now >>, above).
364
365When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
366this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
367might affect timers and time-outs.
368
369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
370event loop's idea of "current time".
371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
380
303=back 381=back
304 382
305=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
306 386
307You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
308I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
309callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
310 390
316invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
317that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
318but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
319 399
320The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
321between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
322 403
323This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
324directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
325 407
326Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
327 409
328 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
329 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
330=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
331 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
332You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
333 454
334The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
335watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
336as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
337signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
338and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 459(stopped/continued).
339you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 460
461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
463callback arguments.
464
465This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
466and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
467random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
468C<system>, is just fine).
340 469
341There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 470There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
342I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 471I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
343have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 472have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
344 473
345Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 474Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
475see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
346event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 476that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
347loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 477the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
478pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
479start the watcher.
348 480
349This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
350AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
351C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
488mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
352 489
353Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
354 491
355 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
356 493
366 ); 503 );
367 504
368 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
369 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
370 507
508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
509
510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
511
512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
514
515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
527
528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
529program is otherwise idle:
530
531 my @lines; # read data
532 my $idle_w;
533 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
534 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
535
536 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
537 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
538 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
539 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
540 print "handled when idle: $line";
541 } else {
542 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
543 undef $idle_w;
544 }
545 });
546 });
547
371=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
372 554
373If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
374require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
375will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
376 558
377AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
378will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
379 561
380The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
381because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
382 566
383Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
384>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
385C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
386becomes true. 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
571the results).
387 572
388After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
389by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
390were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
391->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
392 577
393Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
394optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
395in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
396another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
397used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
398a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
399 601
400Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
401for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
402then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
403availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
416 618
417Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
418used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
419easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
420AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
421it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
422 624
423There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
424eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
425for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
426 628
427Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
428 630
429 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
430 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
431 633
432 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
433 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
434 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
435 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
436 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
437 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
438 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
439 ); 641 );
440 642
441 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
442 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
443 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
444 646
445Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
446condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
447 649
448 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
449 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
450 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
653
654Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
655callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
656the main program:
657
658 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
659
660 ...
661
662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
663
664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
665results are available:
666
667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
669 });
451 670
452=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 671=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
453 672
454These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 673These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
455code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 674code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
468immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
469 688
470Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
471future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
472 691
473Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
474(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
475C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
476overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
477instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
478support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
479invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
480example).
481 695
482=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
483 697
484Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
485C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
486 700
487This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
488user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
489 707
490=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
491 709
492=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
493
494These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
495 711
496These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
497one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
498to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
499 715
500Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
501C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
502>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
503is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
504callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
505 722
506Let's clarify this with the ping example: 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
726
727Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
728STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
729close before activating a condvar:
507 730
508 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
509 732
733 $cv->begin; # first watcher
734 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
735 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
736 or $cv->end;
737 });
738
739 $cv->begin; # second watcher
740 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
741 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
742 or $cv->end;
743 });
744
745 $cv->recv;
746
747This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
749sending.
750
751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
753begun can potentially be zero:
754
755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
756
510 my %result; 757 my %result;
511 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
512 759
513 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
514 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
515 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
516 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
531loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
532to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
533C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
534doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
535 782
536This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
537use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
538is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
539C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
787call C<end>.
540 788
541=back 789=back
542 790
543=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
544 792
548=over 4 796=over 4
549 797
550=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
551 799
552Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
553>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
554normally. 802normally.
555 803
556You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
557will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
558 806
560function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
561 809
562In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
563in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
564 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
565Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
566(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
567using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
568caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
569condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
570callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
571while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
572 827
573Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
574sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
575multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
576can supply.
577
578The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
579fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
580versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
581C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
582coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
583
584You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
585only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
586time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
587waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
588 832
589=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
590 834
591Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 835Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
592C<croak> have been called. 836C<croak> have been called.
593 837
594=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 838=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
595 839
596This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
597replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
598 842
599The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
600C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
601variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
602is guaranteed not to block. 846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
603 848
604=back 849=back
605 850
851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
852
853The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
854
855=over 4
856
857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
858
859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
862AnyEvent itself.
863
864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
866
867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
868
869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881
882=item Backends with special needs.
883
884Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
885otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
886instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
887everything should just work.
888
889 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
890
891Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
892architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
893is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
894it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
895L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync> for the gory details.
896
897 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
898
899=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
900
901Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
902
903There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
904
905B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
906use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
907polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
908consider for AnyEvent.
909
910B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
911backend, so it can be supported through POE.
912
913AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
914load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
915in which case everything will be automatic.
916
917=back
918
606=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 919=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
607 920
921These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
922write AnyEvent extension modules.
923
608=over 4 924=over 4
609 925
610=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 926=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
611 927
612Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 928Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
929backend has been autodetected.
930
613contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 931Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
614Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 932name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
615C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 933of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
616AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 934case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
617 935will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
618The known classes so far are:
619
620 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
621 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
622 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
623 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
624 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
625 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
626 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
627 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
628
629There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
630watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
631POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
632second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
633AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
634it's adaptor.
635
636AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
637autodetecting them.
638 936
639=item AnyEvent::detect 937=item AnyEvent::detect
640 938
641Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 939Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
642if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 940if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
643have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 941have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
644runtime. 942runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
943
944If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
945created, use C<post_detect>.
645 946
646=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 947=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
647 948
648Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 949Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
649autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 950autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
951
952The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
953(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
954created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
955other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
956L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
957
958The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
959event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
960and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
961avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
650 962
651If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 963If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
652that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 964that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
965C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
653L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 966a case where this is useful.
967
968Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
969C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
970
971 our WATCHER;
972
973 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
974 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
975 };
976
977 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
978 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
979 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
980 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
981
982 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
654 983
655=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 984=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
656 985
657If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 986If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
658before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 987before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
659the event loop has been chosen. 988after the event loop has been chosen.
660 989
661You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 990You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
662if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 991if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
663and the array will be ignored. 992array will be ignored.
664 993
665Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 994Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
995it, as it takes care of these details.
996
997This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
998when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
999not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
1000into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
1001
1002Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1003together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1004Coro to accomplish this):
1005
1006 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1007 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1008 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1009 } else {
1010 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1011 # as soon as it is
1012 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1013 }
666 1014
667=back 1015=back
668 1016
669=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1017=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
670 1018
681because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1029because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
682events is to stay interactive. 1030events is to stay interactive.
683 1031
684It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1032It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
685requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1033requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
686called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1034called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
687freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1035freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
688 1036
689=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1037=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
690 1038
691There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1039There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
692dictate which event model to use. 1040dictate which event model to use.
693 1041
694If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1042If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
695do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1043when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
696decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1044uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1045to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1046available loop implementation.
697 1047
698If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1048If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
699Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1049Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
700event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1050event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
701speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1051speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
702modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1052modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
703decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1053decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
704might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1054might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
705 1055
706You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1056You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
707C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1057C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
708everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1058everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
709 1059
725 1075
726 1076
727=head1 OTHER MODULES 1077=head1 OTHER MODULES
728 1078
729The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1079The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
730AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1080AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
731in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1081modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
732available via CPAN. 1082come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
733 1083
734=over 4 1084=over 4
735 1085
736=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1086=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
737 1087
738Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1088Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
739functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1089functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
740 1090
741=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1091=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
742 1092
743Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1093Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
744addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1094addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
746 1096
747=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1097=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
748 1098
749Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1099Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
750supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1100supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
751non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1101non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
752 1102
753=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1103=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
754 1104
755Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1105Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
756 1106
1107=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1108
1109Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1110the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1111Client Protocol).
1112
1113=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1114
1115Here be danger!
1116
1117As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1118there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1119its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1120the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1121
1122It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1123confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1124fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1125with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1126packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1127support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1128wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1129
757=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1130=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
758 1131
759A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1132Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
760HTTP requests. 1133notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1134
1135=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1136
1137Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1138toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1139L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1140file I/O, and much more.
761 1141
762=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1142=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
763 1143
764Provides a simple web application server framework. 1144A simple embedded webserver.
765 1145
766=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1146=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
767 1147
768The fastest ping in the west. 1148The fastest ping in the west.
769 1149
770=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
771
772Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
773
774=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
775
776Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
777programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
778together.
779
780=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
781
782Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
783L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
784
785=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
786
787A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
788
789=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
790
791A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
792L<App::IGS>).
793
794=item L<Net::IRC3>
795
796AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
797
798=item L<Net::XMPP2>
799
800AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
801
802=item L<Net::FCP>
803
804AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
805of AnyEvent.
806
807=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
808
809High level API for event-based execution flow control.
810
811=item L<Coro> 1150=item L<Coro>
812 1151
813Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1152Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
814 1153
815=item L<IO::Lambda>
816
817The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
818
819=back 1154=back
820 1155
821=cut 1156=cut
822 1157
823package AnyEvent; 1158package AnyEvent;
824 1159
825no warnings; 1160# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
826use strict; 1161sub common_sense {
1162 # from common:.sense 1.0
1163 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x00";
1164 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1165 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1166}
827 1167
1168BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1169
828use Carp; 1170use Carp ();
829 1171
830our $VERSION = 4.2; 1172our $VERSION = '5.271';
831our $MODEL; 1173our $MODEL;
832 1174
833our $AUTOLOAD; 1175our $AUTOLOAD;
834our @ISA; 1176our @ISA;
835 1177
836our @REGISTRY; 1178our @REGISTRY;
837 1179
838our $WIN32; 1180our $VERBOSE;
839 1181
840BEGIN { 1182BEGIN {
841 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1183 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
842 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
843}
844 1184
1185 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1186
1187 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1188 if ${^TAINT};
1189
845our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1190 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1191
1192}
1193
1194our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
846 1195
847our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1196our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
848 1197
849{ 1198{
850 my $idx; 1199 my $idx;
852 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1201 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
853 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1202 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
854} 1203}
855 1204
856my @models = ( 1205my @models = (
857 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1206 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
858 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
859 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1207 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
860 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1208 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
861 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1209 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
862 # and is usually faster 1210 # and is usually faster
1211 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1212 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1213 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1214 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
863 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1215 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
864 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
865 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
866 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1216 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
867 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1217 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
868 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1218 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
869 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1219 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1220 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1221 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1222 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1223 # obvious default class.
1224 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1225 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1226 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1227 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
870); 1228);
871 1229
872our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1230our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1231 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
873 1232
874our @post_detect; 1233our @post_detect;
875 1234
876sub post_detect(&) { 1235sub post_detect(&) {
877 my ($cb) = @_; 1236 my ($cb) = @_;
878 1237
879 if ($MODEL) {
880 $cb->();
881
882 1
883 } else {
884 push @post_detect, $cb; 1238 push @post_detect, $cb;
885 1239
886 defined wantarray 1240 defined wantarray
887 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1241 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
888 : () 1242 : ()
1243}
1244
1245sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1246 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1247}
1248
1249sub detect() {
1250 # free some memory
1251 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1252
1253 local $!; # for good measure
1254 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1255
1256 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1257 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1258 if (eval "require $model") {
1259 $MODEL = $model;
1260 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1261 } else {
1262 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1263 }
889 } 1264 }
890}
891 1265
892sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1266 # check for already loaded models
893 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
894}
895
896sub detect() {
897 unless ($MODEL) { 1267 unless ($MODEL) {
898 no strict 'refs'; 1268 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
899 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1269 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
900 1270 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
901 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
902 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
903 if (eval "require $model") { 1271 if (eval "require $model") {
904 $MODEL = $model; 1272 $MODEL = $model;
905 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1273 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
906 } else { 1274 last;
907 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1275 }
908 } 1276 }
909 } 1277 }
910 1278
911 # check for already loaded models
912 unless ($MODEL) { 1279 unless ($MODEL) {
1280 # try to autoload a model
913 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1281 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
914 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1282 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1283 if (
1284 $autoload
1285 and eval "require $package"
915 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1286 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
916 if (eval "require $model") { 1287 and eval "require $model"
1288 ) {
917 $MODEL = $model; 1289 $MODEL = $model;
918 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1290 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
919 last; 1291 last;
920 }
921 } 1292 }
922 } 1293 }
923 1294
924 unless ($MODEL) {
925 # try to load a model
926
927 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
928 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
929 if (eval "require $package"
930 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
931 and eval "require $model") {
932 $MODEL = $model;
933 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
934 last;
935 }
936 }
937
938 $MODEL 1295 $MODEL
939 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1296 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
940 }
941 } 1297 }
942
943 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
944
945 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
946 unshift @AnyEvent::Base::Strict::ISA, $MODEL;
947 unshift @ISA, AnyEvent::Base::Strict::
948 } else {
949 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
950 }
951
952 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
953 } 1298 }
1299
1300 @models = (); # free probe data
1301
1302 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1303 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1304
1305 # now nuke some methods that are overriden by the backend.
1306 # SUPER is not allowed.
1307 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1308 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1309 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1310 }
1311
1312 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1313
1314 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1315
1316 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1317 shift->();
1318
1319 undef
1320 };
954 1321
955 $MODEL 1322 $MODEL
956} 1323}
957 1324
958sub AUTOLOAD { 1325sub AUTOLOAD {
959 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1326 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
960 1327
961 $method{$func} 1328 $method{$func}
962 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1329 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
963 1330
964 detect unless $MODEL; 1331 detect;
965 1332
966 my $class = shift; 1333 my $class = shift;
967 $class->$func (@_); 1334 $class->$func (@_);
968} 1335}
969 1336
1337# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1338# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1339# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1340sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1341 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1342
1343 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1344 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1345
1346 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1347 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1348
1349 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1350
1351 ($fh2, $rw)
1352}
1353
1354=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1355
1356Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1357simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1358overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1359
1360See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1361
1362=cut
1363
1364package AE;
1365
1366our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1367
1368# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1369# implementations can overwrite these.
1370
1371sub io($$$) {
1372 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1373}
1374
1375sub timer($$$) {
1376 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1377}
1378
1379sub signal($$) {
1380 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1381}
1382
1383sub child($$) {
1384 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1385}
1386
1387sub idle($) {
1388 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1389}
1390
1391sub cv(;&) {
1392 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1393}
1394
1395sub now() {
1396 AnyEvent->now
1397}
1398
1399sub now_update() {
1400 AnyEvent->now_update
1401}
1402
1403sub time() {
1404 AnyEvent->time
1405}
1406
970package AnyEvent::Base; 1407package AnyEvent::Base;
971 1408
972# default implementation for now and time 1409# default implementations for many methods
973 1410
974use Time::HiRes (); 1411sub time {
1412 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1413 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1414 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1415 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1416 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1417 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1418 } else {
1419 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1420 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1421 }
975 1422
976sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1423 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
977sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1424 };
1425 die if $@;
1426
1427 &time
1428}
1429
1430*now = \&time;
1431
1432sub now_update { }
978 1433
979# default implementation for ->condvar 1434# default implementation for ->condvar
980 1435
981sub condvar { 1436sub condvar {
1437 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1438 *condvar = sub {
982 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1439 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1440 };
1441
1442 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1443 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1444 };
1445 };
1446 die if $@;
1447
1448 &condvar
983} 1449}
984 1450
985# default implementation for ->signal 1451# default implementation for ->signal
986 1452
987our %SIG_CB; 1453our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1454
1455sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1456 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1457 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1458 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1459
1460 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1461}
1462
1463our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1464our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1465our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1466
1467# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1468# used by Impls
1469sub _sig_add() {
1470 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1471 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1472 my $NOW = AE::now;
1473
1474 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1475 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1476 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1477 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1478 ;
1479 }
1480}
1481
1482sub _sig_del {
1483 undef $SIG_TW
1484 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1485}
1486
1487our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1488 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1489 undef $_sig_name_init;
1490
1491 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1492 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1493 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1494 } else {
1495 require Config;
1496
1497 my %signame2num;
1498 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1499 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1500
1501 my @signum2name;
1502 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1503
1504 *sig2num = sub($) {
1505 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1506 };
1507 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1508 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1509 };
1510 }
1511 };
1512 die if $@;
1513};
1514
1515sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1516sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
988 1517
989sub signal { 1518sub signal {
1519 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1520 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1521 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1522 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1523
1524 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1525 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1526
1527 } else {
1528 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1529
1530 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1531 require AnyEvent::Util;
1532
1533 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1534 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1535 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1536 } else {
1537 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1538 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1539 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1540
1541 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1542 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1543 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1544 }
1545
1546 $SIGPIPE_R
1547 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1548
1549 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1550 }
1551
1552 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1553 ? sub {
990 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1554 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
991 1555
1556 # async::interrupt
992 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1557 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
993 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
994
995 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1558 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1559
1560 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1561 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1562 signal => $signal,
1563 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1564 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1565 ;
1566
1567 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1568 }
1569 : sub {
1570 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1571
1572 # pure perl
1573 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1574 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1575
996 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1576 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1577 local $!;
1578 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1579 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1580 };
1581
1582 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1583 # so limit the signal latency.
1584 _sig_add;
1585
1586 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1587 }
1588 ;
1589
1590 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1591 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1592
1593 _sig_del;
1594
1595 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1596
1597 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1598 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1599 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1600 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1601 # instead of getting the default action.
1602 undef $SIG{$signal}
1603 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1604 };
1605
1606 *_signal_exec = sub {
1607 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1608 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1609 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1610
1611 while (%SIG_EV) {
1612 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1613 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
997 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1614 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1615 }
1616 }
1617 };
998 }; 1618 };
1619 die if $@;
999 1620
1000 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1621 &signal
1001}
1002
1003sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
1004 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1005
1006 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1007
1008 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1009} 1622}
1010 1623
1011# default implementation for ->child 1624# default implementation for ->child
1012 1625
1013our %PID_CB; 1626our %PID_CB;
1014our $CHLD_W; 1627our $CHLD_W;
1015our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1628our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1016our $PID_IDLE;
1017our $WNOHANG; 1629our $WNOHANG;
1018 1630
1019sub _child_wait { 1631# used by many Impl's
1020 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1632sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1633 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1634
1635 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1021 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1636 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1022 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1637 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1023 }
1024
1025 undef $PID_IDLE;
1026}
1027
1028sub _sigchld {
1029 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
1030 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
1031 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1032 &_child_wait;
1033 });
1034} 1638}
1035 1639
1036sub child { 1640sub child {
1641 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1642 *_sigchld = sub {
1643 my $pid;
1644
1645 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1646 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1647 };
1648
1649 *child = sub {
1037 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1650 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1038 1651
1039 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1652 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1040 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1653 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1041 1654
1042 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1655 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1043 1656
1044 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1657 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1658 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1659 ? 1
1045 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1660 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1046 }
1047 1661
1048 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1662 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1049 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1663 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1050 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1664 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1051 &_sigchld; 1665 &_sigchld;
1052 } 1666 }
1053 1667
1054 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1668 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1055} 1669 };
1056 1670
1057sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1671 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1058 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1672 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1059 1673
1060 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1674 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1061 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1675 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1062 1676
1063 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1677 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1678 };
1679 };
1680 die if $@;
1681
1682 &child
1683}
1684
1685# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1686# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1687# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1688sub idle {
1689 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1690 *idle = sub {
1691 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1692
1693 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1694
1695 $rcb = sub {
1696 if ($cb) {
1697 $w = _time;
1698 &$cb;
1699 $w = _time - $w;
1700
1701 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1702 # within some limits
1703 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1704 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1705
1706 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1707 } else {
1708 # clean up...
1709 undef $w;
1710 undef $rcb;
1711 }
1712 };
1713
1714 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1715
1716 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1717 };
1718
1719 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1720 undef $${$_[0]};
1721 };
1722 };
1723 die if $@;
1724
1725 &idle
1064} 1726}
1065 1727
1066package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1728package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1067 1729
1068our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1730our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1069 1731
1070package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1732package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1071 1733
1072use overload 1734#use overload
1073 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1735# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1074 fallback => 1; 1736# fallback => 1;
1737
1738# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1739${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1740*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1741*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1742${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1743
1744our $WAITING;
1075 1745
1076sub _send { 1746sub _send {
1077 # nop 1747 # nop
1078} 1748}
1079 1749
1092sub ready { 1762sub ready {
1093 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1763 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1094} 1764}
1095 1765
1096sub _wait { 1766sub _wait {
1767 $WAITING
1768 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1769 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1770
1771 local $WAITING = 1;
1097 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1772 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1098} 1773}
1099 1774
1100sub recv { 1775sub recv {
1101 $_[0]->_wait; 1776 $_[0]->_wait;
1103 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1778 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1104 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1779 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1105} 1780}
1106 1781
1107sub cb { 1782sub cb {
1108 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1783 my $cv = shift;
1784
1785 @_
1786 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1787 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1788 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1789
1109 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1790 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1110} 1791}
1111 1792
1112sub begin { 1793sub begin {
1113 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1794 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1114 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1795 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1121 1802
1122# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1803# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1123*broadcast = \&send; 1804*broadcast = \&send;
1124*wait = \&_wait; 1805*wait = \&_wait;
1125 1806
1126package AnyEvent::Base::Strict; 1807=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1127 1808
1128use Carp qw(croak); 1809In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1810caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1811the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1812checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1813development.
1129 1814
1130# supply checks for argument validity for many functions 1815As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1816executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1817also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1818program.
1131 1819
1132sub io { 1820The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1133 my $class = shift; 1821within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1134 my %arg = @_; 1822$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1823so on.
1135 1824
1136 ref $arg{cb} 1825=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1137 or croak "AnyEvent->io called with illegal cb argument '$arg{cb}'";
1138 delete $arg{cb};
1139
1140 fileno $arg{fh}
1141 or croak "AnyEvent->io called with illegal fh argument '$arg{fh}'";
1142 delete $arg{fh};
1143
1144 $arg{poll} =~ /^[rw]$/
1145 or croak "AnyEvent->io called with illegal poll argument '$arg{poll}'";
1146 delete $arg{poll};
1147
1148 croak "AnyEvent->io called with unsupported parameter(s) " . join ", ", keys %arg
1149 if keys %arg;
1150 1826
1151 $class->SUPER::io (@_) 1827The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1152} 1828submodules.
1153 1829
1154sub timer { 1830Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1155 my $class = shift; 1831C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1156 my %arg = @_; 1832enabled.
1157 1833
1158 ref $arg{cb} 1834=over 4
1159 or croak "AnyEvent->timer called with illegal cb argument '$arg{cb}'";
1160 delete $arg{cb};
1161
1162 exists $arg{after}
1163 or croak "AnyEvent->timer called without mandatory 'after' parameter";
1164 delete $arg{after};
1165
1166 $arg{interval} > 0 || !$arg{interval}
1167 or croak "AnyEvent->timer called with illegal interval argument '$arg{interval}'";
1168 delete $arg{interval};
1169
1170 croak "AnyEvent->timer called with unsupported parameter(s) " . join ", ", keys %arg
1171 if keys %arg;
1172 1835
1173 $class->SUPER::timer (@_) 1836=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1174}
1175 1837
1176sub signal { 1838By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1177 my $class = shift; 1839conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1178 my %arg = @_; 1840talkative.
1179 1841
1180 ref $arg{cb} 1842When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1181 or croak "AnyEvent->signal called with illegal cb argument '$arg{cb}'"; 1843conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1182 delete $arg{cb}; 1844C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1183
1184 eval "require POSIX; defined &POSIX::SIG$arg{signal}"
1185 or croak "AnyEvent->signal called with illegal signal name '$arg{signal}'";
1186 delete $arg{signal};
1187
1188 croak "AnyEvent->signal called with unsupported parameter(s) " . join ", ", keys %arg
1189 if keys %arg;
1190 1845
1191 $class->SUPER::signal (@_) 1846When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1192} 1847model it chooses.
1193 1848
1194sub child { 1849When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1195 my $class = shift; 1850which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1196 my %arg = @_;
1197 1851
1198 ref $arg{cb} 1852=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1199 or croak "AnyEvent->signal called with illegal cb argument '$arg{cb}'";
1200 delete $arg{cb};
1201
1202 $arg{pid} =~ /^-?\d+$/
1203 or croak "AnyEvent->signal called with illegal pid value '$arg{pid}'";
1204 delete $arg{pid};
1205
1206 croak "AnyEvent->signal called with unsupported parameter(s) " . join ", ", keys %arg
1207 if keys %arg;
1208 1853
1209 $class->SUPER::child (@_) 1854AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1210} 1855argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1856will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1857check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1858it will croak.
1211 1859
1212sub condvar { 1860In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1213 my $class = shift;
1214 my %arg = @_;
1215 1861
1216 !exists $arg{cb} or ref $arg{cb} 1862Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1217 or croak "AnyEvent->condvar called with illegal cb argument '$arg{cb}'"; 1863>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1218 delete $arg{cb}; 1864C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1219 1865can be very useful, however.
1220 croak "AnyEvent->condvar called with unsupported parameter(s) " . join ", ", keys %arg
1221 if keys %arg;
1222 1866
1223 $class->SUPER::condvar (@_) 1867=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1224}
1225 1868
1226sub time { 1869This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1227 my $class = shift; 1870auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1871entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1872and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1873used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1874auto detection and -probing.
1228 1875
1229 @_ 1876This functionality might change in future versions.
1230 and croak "AnyEvent->time wrongly called with paramaters";
1231 1877
1232 $class->SUPER::time (@_) 1878For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1233} 1879could start your program like this:
1234 1880
1235sub now { 1881 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1236 my $class = shift;
1237 1882
1238 @_ 1883=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1239 and croak "AnyEvent->now wrongly called with paramaters";
1240 1884
1241 $class->SUPER::now (@_) 1885Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1242} 1886for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1887of auto probing).
1888
1889Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1890current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1891used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1892list.
1893
1894This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1895against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1896small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1897
1898Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1899but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1900- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1901addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1902IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1903
1904=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1905
1906Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1907for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1908some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1909default.
1910
1911Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1912EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1913
1914=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1915
1916The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1917will create in parallel.
1918
1919=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1920
1921The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1922resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1923sent to the DNS server.
1924
1925=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1926
1927The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1928configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1929default config will be used.
1930
1931=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1932
1933When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1934L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1935variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1936instead of a system-dependent default.
1937
1938=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1939
1940When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1941loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1942
1943=back
1243 1944
1244=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1945=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1245 1946
1246This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1947This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1247a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1948a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1281 1982
1282I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1983I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1283condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1984condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1284C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1985C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1285not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1986not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1286
1287=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1288
1289The following environment variables are used by this module:
1290
1291=over 4
1292
1293=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1294
1295By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1296conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1297talkative.
1298
1299When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1300conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1301C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1302
1303When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1304model it chooses.
1305
1306=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1307
1308AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1309argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1310will cause AnyEvent to thoroughly check the arguments passed to most
1311method calls and croaks if it finds any problems. In other words, enables
1312"strict" mode. Unlike C<use strict> it is definitely recommended ot keep
1313it off in production.
1314
1315=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1316
1317This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1318auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1319entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1320and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1321used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1322auto detection and -probing.
1323
1324This functionality might change in future versions.
1325
1326For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1327could start your program like this:
1328
1329 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1330
1331=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1332
1333Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1334for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1335of auto probing).
1336
1337Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1338current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1339used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1340list.
1341
1342This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1343against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1344small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1345
1346Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1347but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1348- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1349addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1350IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1351
1352=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1353
1354Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1355for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1356some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1357default.
1358
1359Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1360EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1361
1362=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1363
1364The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1365will create in parallel.
1366
1367=back
1368 1987
1369=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1988=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1370 1989
1371The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1990The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1372to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1991to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1385 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2004 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1386 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2005 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1387 }, 2006 },
1388 ); 2007 );
1389 2008
1390 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1391
1392 sub new_timer {
1393 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2009 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1394 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2010 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1395 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1396 }); 2011 });
1397 }
1398
1399 new_timer; # create first timer
1400 2012
1401 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2013 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1402 2014
1403=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2015=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1404 2016
1477 2089
1478The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2090The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1479that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2091that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1480whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2092whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1481and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2093and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1482problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2094problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1483random callback. 2095random callback.
1484 2096
1485All of this enables the following usage styles: 2097All of this enables the following usage styles:
1486 2098
14871. Blocking: 20991. Blocking:
1535through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2147through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1536timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2148timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1537which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2149which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1538 2150
1539Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2151Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1540distribution. 2152distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2153for the EV and Perl backends only.
1541 2154
1542=head3 Explanation of the columns 2155=head3 Explanation of the columns
1543 2156
1544I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2157I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1545different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2158different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1566watcher. 2179watcher.
1567 2180
1568=head3 Results 2181=head3 Results
1569 2182
1570 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2183 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1571 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2184 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1572 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2185 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1573 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2186 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1574 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2187 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1575 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2188 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1576 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2189 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2190 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2191 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1577 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2192 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1578 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2193 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1579 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2194 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1580 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2195 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1581 2196
1582=head3 Discussion 2197=head3 Discussion
1583 2198
1584The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2199The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1585well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2200well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1597benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2212benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1598EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2213EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1599cycles with POE. 2214cycles with POE.
1600 2215
1601C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2216C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1602maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2217maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2218overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2219slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1603far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2220any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1604natively.
1605 2221
1606The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2222The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1607constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2223constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1608interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2224interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1609adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2225adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1610performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2226performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1611them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2227them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1612 2228
1613The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2229The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1614cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2230cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2231
2232C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2233when using its pure perl backend.
1615 2234
1616C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2235C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1617faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2236faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1618C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2237C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1619watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2238watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1680In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2299In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1681(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2300(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1682connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2301connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1683 2302
1684Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2303Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1685distribution. 2304distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2305for the EV and Perl backends only.
1686 2306
1687=head3 Explanation of the columns 2307=head3 Explanation of the columns
1688 2308
1689I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2309I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1690each server has a read and write socket end). 2310each server has a read and write socket end).
1697it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2317it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1698a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2318a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1699 2319
1700=head3 Results 2320=head3 Results
1701 2321
1702 name sockets create request 2322 name sockets create request
1703 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2323 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1704 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2324 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1705 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2325 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1706 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2326 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2327 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2328 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1707 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2329 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1708 2330
1709=head3 Discussion 2331=head3 Discussion
1710 2332
1711This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2333This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1712particular event loop. 2334particular event loop.
1714EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2336EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1715is relatively high, though. 2337is relatively high, though.
1716 2338
1717Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2339Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1718loops Event and Glib. 2340loops Event and Glib.
2341
2342IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2343good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1719 2344
1720Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2345Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1721understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2346understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1722the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2347the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1723uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2348uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1786=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2411=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1787watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2412watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1788 2413
1789=back 2414=back
1790 2415
2416=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2417
2418Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2419could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2420simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2421shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2422fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2423very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2424baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2425
2426The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2427connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2428creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2429test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2430benchmark nevertheless.
2431
2432 name runtime
2433 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2434 + optimized 0.122 sec
2435 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2436 + optimized 0.138 sec
2437 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2438 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2439 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2440 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2441
2442 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2443 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2444 +state machine 0.134 sec
2445
2446The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2447benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2448defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2449written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2450AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2451resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2452generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2453connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2454
2455The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2456offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2457Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2458non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2459
2460As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2461hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2462backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2463
2464And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2465slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2466higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2467it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2468
2469The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2470F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2471part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2472
2473
2474=head1 SIGNALS
2475
2476AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2477
2478=over 4
2479
2480=item SIGCHLD
2481
2482A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2483emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2484event loops install a similar handler.
2485
2486Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2487AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2488
2489=item SIGPIPE
2490
2491A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2492when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2493
2494The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2495on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2496badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2497program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2498some random socket.
2499
2500The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2501that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2502
2503Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2504
2505=back
2506
2507=cut
2508
2509undef $SIG{CHLD}
2510 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2511
2512$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2513 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2514
2515=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2516
2517One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2518its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2519
2520That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2521modules if they are installed.
2522
2523This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2524affect AnyEvent's operation.
2525
2526=over 4
2527
2528=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2529
2530This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2531my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2532signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2533delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2534catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2535C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2536
2537If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2538catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2539will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2540battery life on laptops).
2541
2542This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2543that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2544
2545Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2546and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2547(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2548does nothing for those backends.
2549
2550=item L<EV>
2551
2552This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2553event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2554loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2555the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2556automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2557can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2558C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2559L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2560
2561If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2562then this module will do nothing for you.
2563
2564=item L<Guard>
2565
2566The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2567C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2568lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2569purely used for performance.
2570
2571=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2572
2573One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2574via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2575advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2576
2577=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2578
2579Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2580worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2581the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2582
2583=item L<Time::HiRes>
2584
2585This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2586chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2587pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2588try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2589
2590=back
2591
1791 2592
1792=head1 FORK 2593=head1 FORK
1793 2594
1794Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2595Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1795because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2596because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1796calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2597- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2598are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2599one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2600continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2601what you are doing).
2602
2603This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2604the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2605usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2606is loaded).
1797 2607
1798If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2608If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1799watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2609watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2610something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2611
2612The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2613is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2614fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2615watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2616parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2617to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2618preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2619to have another binary.
1800 2620
1801 2621
1802=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2622=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1803 2623
1804AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2624AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1816 use AnyEvent; 2636 use AnyEvent;
1817 2637
1818Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2638Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1819be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2639be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1820probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2640probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1821$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2641$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2642
2643Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2644C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2645enabled.
1822 2646
1823 2647
1824=head1 BUGS 2648=head1 BUGS
1825 2649
1826Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2650Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1827to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2651to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1828and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying 2652and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1829mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as 2653memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1830pronounced). 2654pronounced).
1831 2655
1832 2656
1833=head1 SEE ALSO 2657=head1 SEE ALSO
1834 2658
1838L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2662L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1839 2663
1840Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2664Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1841L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2665L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1842L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2666L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1843L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2667L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1844 2668
1845Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2669Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1846servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2670servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1847 2671
1848Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2672Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1849 2673
1850Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2674Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2675L<Coro::Event>,
1851 2676
1852Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2677Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2678L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1853 2679
1854 2680
1855=head1 AUTHOR 2681=head1 AUTHOR
1856 2682
1857 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2683 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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