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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 and POE are various supported 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6event loops. 6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
7 7
8=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
9 9
10 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
11 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
12 # file descriptor readable 15 # file handle or descriptor readable
13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14 17
15 # one-shot or repeating timers 18 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
18 21
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21 24
22 # POSIX signal 25 # POSIX signal
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41 44
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
45 58
46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
47 60
48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
65module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
66model you use. 79model you use.
67 80
68For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
69actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 82actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
70like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
73module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
74 87
75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
76fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
77with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 90with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
78your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 91your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
80event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 93event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 94use one of the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops
82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
83 96
84In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
85model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
86modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
87follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
88offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
89technically possible. 102technically possible.
90 103
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
98useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
99model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
100 113
101=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
102 115
103L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
104allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
105users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
106peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
107 120
108The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
109module. 122module.
110 123
111During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
112to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
113following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
114L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
115L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
116to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
117adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
118be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
119found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
120very efficient, but should work everywhere.
121 132
122Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
123an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
124that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
125 136
127 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
128 139
129 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
130 141
131The 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
132starts 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,
133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
134 146
135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
138 150
147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
148is in control). 160is in control).
149 161
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops. 166widely between event loops.
155 167
156To 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
157variable 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
158to it). 170to it).
159 171
160All 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.
161 173
162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
164 176
165An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
166 178
167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
169 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
170 }); 182 });
172Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 184Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
174declared. 186declared.
175 187
176=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
177 195
178You 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
179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
180 198
181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196 214
197The 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.
198You 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
199underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
200 218
201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
203handles. 221handles.
204 222
205Example: 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
206watcher. 224watcher.
211 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
212 }); 230 });
213 231
214=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
215 233
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
216You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
217method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
218 244
219C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
220supported) 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
222 248
223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
226 252
227The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
232 258
233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt 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
235only approximate. 261only approximate.
236 262
237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238 264
239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
257 283
258While 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
259use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
260"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
261the 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
262fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
263 289
264AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
265about 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
266on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
267timers. 293timers.
268 294
269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
270AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
292I<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
293function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294 320
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
298 324
299The 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
300with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
301 327
302For 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>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304 330
305The 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
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you 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
308second) 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
309after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
310 336
341might affect timers and time-outs. 367might affect timers and time-outs.
342 368
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the 369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time". 370event loop's idea of "current time".
345 371
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
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled. 379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347 380
348=back 381=back
349 382
350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
351 386
352You 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
353I<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
354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
355 390
361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
362that 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,
363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
364 399
365The 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
366between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
367 403
368This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
369directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
370 407
371Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
372 409
373 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
374 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$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
375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
376 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
377You 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.
378 454
379The 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,
380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
381the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
382any trace events (stopped/continued). 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
459(stopped/continued).
383 460
384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
385waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments. 463callback arguments.
387 464
403 480
404This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
405thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
406watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
407C<AnyEvent::detect>). 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.
408 489
409Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
410 491
411 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
412 493
424 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
425 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
426 507
427=head2 IDLE WATCHERS 508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
428 509
429Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important 510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
430to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
431"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
432attention by the event loop".
433 511
434Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing 512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
435better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new 513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
436events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
437 514
438Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 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
439EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
440will simply call the callback "from time to time". 526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
441 527
442Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the 528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
443program is otherwise idle: 529program is otherwise idle:
459 }); 545 });
460 }); 546 });
461 547
462=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
463 549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
554
464If 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
465require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
466will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
467 558
468AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
469will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
470 561
471The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
472because 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.
473 566
474Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
475>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
476
477C<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
478becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
479the results). 571the results).
480 572
481After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
482by 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
483were 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<<
484->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
485 577
486Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
487optionally 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:
488in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
489another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
490used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
491a 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
492 601
493Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
494for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
495then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
496availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
509 618
510Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
511used 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
512easy (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
513AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
514it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
515 624
516There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
517eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
518for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
519 628
520Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
521 630
522 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
523 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
524 633
525 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
526 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
527 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
528 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
529 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
530 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
531 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
532 ); 641 );
533 642
534 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
535 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
536 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
537 646
538Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
539condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
540 649
541 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
542 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
543 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
544 653
550 659
551 ... 660 ...
552 661
553 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
554 663
555And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
556results are available: 665results are available:
557 666
558 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
559 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
560 }); 669 });
578immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
579 688
580Any 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
581future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
582 691
583Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
584(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
585C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
586overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
587instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
588support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
589invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
590example).
591 695
592=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
593 697
594Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
595C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
596 700
597This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
598user/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.
599 707
600=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
601 709
602=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
603 711
605one. 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
606to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
607 715
608Every 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
609C<< ->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
610>>, 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
611is 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
612callback 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.
613 722
614You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
615sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND 724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
616condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends). 725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
617 726
639one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before 748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
640sending. 749sending.
641 750
642The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the 751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
643there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are 752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
644begung can potentially be zero: 753begun can potentially be zero:
645 754
646 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
647 756
648 my %result; 757 my %result;
649 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
650 759
651 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
652 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
653 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
654 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
670to 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
671C<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
672doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
673 782
674This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
675potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
676the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
677subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
678call C<end>. 787call C<end>.
679 788
680=back 789=back
687=over 4 796=over 4
688 797
689=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
690 799
691Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
692>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
693normally. 802normally.
694 803
695You 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
696will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
697 806
699function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
700 809
701In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
702in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
703 812
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
704Not 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
705(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
706using 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
707caller 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
708condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
709callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
710while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
711 827
712Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
713sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
714multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
715can supply.
716
717The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
718fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
719versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
720C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
721coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
722
723You 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
724only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
725time). 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
726waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
727 832
728=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
734 839
735This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
736replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
737 842
738The 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
739C<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
740variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
741is 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.
742 848
743=back 849=back
744 850
745=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS 851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
746 852
749=over 4 855=over 4
750 856
751=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found. 857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
752 858
753EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in 859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
754use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing 860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
755that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is 861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
756available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself. 862AnyEvent itself.
757 863
758 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice). 864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
759 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
760 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable. 865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
761 866
762=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used. 867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
763 868
764These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher 869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
765is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using 870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
766them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend 871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
767when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to 872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
768create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program. 873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
769 874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
770 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable. 876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
771 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken. 877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
772 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
773 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations. 879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
774 881
775=item Backends with special needs. 882=item Backends with special needs.
776 883
777Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will 884Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
778otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program 885otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
783 890
784Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and 891Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
785architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also 892architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
786is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so 893is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
787it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See 894it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
788L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details. 895L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync> for the gory details.
789 896
790 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed. 897 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
791 898
792=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends. 899=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
793 900
821Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the 928Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
822backend has been autodetected. 929backend has been autodetected.
823 930
824Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the 931Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
825name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one 932name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
826of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the 933of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
827case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it 934case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
828will be C<urxvt::anyevent>). 935will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
829 936
830=item AnyEvent::detect 937=item AnyEvent::detect
831 938
832Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 939Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
833if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 940if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
834have 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
835runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module. 942runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
836 943
837If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are 944If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
838created, use C<post_detect>. 945created, use C<post_detect>.
839 946
840=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 947=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
841 948
842Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 949Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
843autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 950autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
844 951
845The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected 952The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
846(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been 953(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
847created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do 954created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
848other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or 955other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
852event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates 959event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
853and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to 960and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
854avoid autodetecting the event module at load time. 961avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
855 962
856If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 963If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
857that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 964that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
965C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
858L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 966a case where this is useful.
967
968Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
969C<$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 ||= $guard;
859 983
860=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 984=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
861 985
862If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 986If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
863before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 987before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
864the event loop has been chosen. 988after the event loop has been chosen.
865 989
866You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 990You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
867if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the 991if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
868array will be ignored. 992array will be ignored.
869 993
870Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows 994Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
871it,as it takes care of these details. 995it, as it takes care of these details.
872 996
873This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful 997This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
874when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do 998when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
875not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook 999not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
876into AnyEvent passively, without loading it. 1000into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
877 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 }
1014
878=back 1015=back
879 1016
880=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1017=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
881 1018
882As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 1019As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
892because 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
893events is to stay interactive. 1030events is to stay interactive.
894 1031
895It 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
896requests 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
897called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1034called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
898freely, 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).
899 1036
900=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1037=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
901 1038
902There 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
903dictate which event model to use. 1040dictate which event model to use.
904 1041
905If 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
906do 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
907decide 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.
908 1047
909If 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
910Gtk2 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
911event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1050event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
912speaking, 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
913modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1052modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
914decide 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
915might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1054might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
916 1055
917You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1056You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
918C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1057C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
919everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1058everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
920 1059
938=head1 OTHER MODULES 1077=head1 OTHER MODULES
939 1078
940The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1079The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
941AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent 1080AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
942modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules 1081modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
943come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN. 1082come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
944 1083
945=over 4 1084=over 4
946 1085
947=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1086=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
948 1087
949Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1088Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
950functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1089functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
951 1090
952=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1091=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
953 1092
954Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1093Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
955addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1094addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
957 1096
958=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1097=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
959 1098
960Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1099Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
961supports 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
962non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>. 1101non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
963 1102
964=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1103=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
965 1104
966Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1105Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
967 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
968=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1130=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
969 1131
970A 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,
971HTTP 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.
972 1141
973=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1142=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
974 1143
975Provides a simple web application server framework. 1144A simple embedded webserver.
976 1145
977=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1146=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
978 1147
979The fastest ping in the west. 1148The fastest ping in the west.
980 1149
981=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
982
983Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
984
985=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
986
987Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
988programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
989together.
990
991=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
992
993Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
994L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
995
996=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
997
998A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
999
1000=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1001
1002AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1003
1004=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1005
1006AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1007Net::XMPP2>.
1008
1009=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1010
1011A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1012L<App::IGS>).
1013
1014=item L<Net::FCP>
1015
1016AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
1017of AnyEvent.
1018
1019=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
1020
1021High level API for event-based execution flow control.
1022
1023=item L<Coro> 1150=item L<Coro>
1024 1151
1025Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1152Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
1026 1153
1027=back 1154=back
1028 1155
1029=cut 1156=cut
1030 1157
1031package AnyEvent; 1158package AnyEvent;
1032 1159
1033no warnings; 1160# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1034use strict qw(vars subs); 1161sub common_sense {
1162 # from common:.sense 3.3
1163 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\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}
1035 1167
1168BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1169
1036use Carp; 1170use Carp ();
1037 1171
1038our $VERSION = 4.81; 1172our $VERSION = '5.271';
1039our $MODEL; 1173our $MODEL;
1040 1174
1041our $AUTOLOAD; 1175our $AUTOLOAD;
1042our @ISA; 1176our @ISA;
1043 1177
1044our @REGISTRY; 1178our @REGISTRY;
1045 1179
1046our $WIN32; 1180our $VERBOSE;
1047 1181
1048BEGIN { 1182BEGIN {
1049 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }"; 1183 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1184
1050 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }"; 1185 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1051 1186
1052 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} 1187 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1053 if ${^TAINT}; 1188 if ${^TAINT};
1054}
1055 1189
1056our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1190 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1191
1192}
1193
1194our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1057 1195
1058our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1196our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1059 1197
1060{ 1198{
1061 my $idx; 1199 my $idx;
1063 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1201 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1064 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1202 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1065} 1203}
1066 1204
1067my @models = ( 1205my @models = (
1068 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1206 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
1069 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
1070 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1207 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1071 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1208 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1072 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1209 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1073 # and is usually faster 1210 # and is usually faster
1211 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1074 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers 1212 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1075 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1213 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1214 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
1076 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1215 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1216 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1077 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1217 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
1078 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1079 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1218 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1080 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1219 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1081 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its 1220 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1082 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others. 1221 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1083 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any 1222 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1084 # obvious default class. 1223 # obvious default class.
1085# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1224 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1086# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1225 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1087# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => 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
1088); 1228);
1089 1229
1090our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1230our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1091 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY); 1231 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
1092 1232
1093our @post_detect; 1233our @post_detect;
1094 1234
1095sub post_detect(&) { 1235sub post_detect(&) {
1096 my ($cb) = @_; 1236 my ($cb) = @_;
1097 1237
1098 if ($MODEL) {
1099 $cb->();
1100
1101 1
1102 } else {
1103 push @post_detect, $cb; 1238 push @post_detect, $cb;
1104 1239
1105 defined wantarray 1240 defined wantarray
1106 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect" 1241 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1107 : () 1242 : ()
1108 }
1109} 1243}
1110 1244
1111sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY { 1245sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1112 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1246 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1113} 1247}
1114 1248
1115sub detect() { 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 $VERBOSE;
1263 }
1264 }
1265
1266 # check for already loaded models
1116 unless ($MODEL) { 1267 unless ($MODEL) {
1117 no strict 'refs'; 1268 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1118 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1269 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1119 1270 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
1120 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1121 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1122 if (eval "require $model") { 1271 if (eval "require $model") {
1123 $MODEL = $model; 1272 $MODEL = $model;
1124 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1273 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1125 } else { 1274 last;
1126 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1275 }
1127 } 1276 }
1128 } 1277 }
1129 1278
1130 # check for already loaded models
1131 unless ($MODEL) { 1279 unless ($MODEL) {
1280 # try to autoload a model
1132 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1281 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1133 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1282 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1283 if (
1284 $autoload
1285 and eval "require $package"
1134 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1286 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1135 if (eval "require $model") { 1287 and eval "require $model"
1288 ) {
1136 $MODEL = $model; 1289 $MODEL = $model;
1137 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1290 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1138 last; 1291 last;
1139 }
1140 } 1292 }
1141 } 1293 }
1142 1294
1143 unless ($MODEL) {
1144 # try to load a model
1145
1146 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1147 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1148 if (eval "require $package"
1149 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1150 and eval "require $model") {
1151 $MODEL = $model;
1152 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
1153 last;
1154 }
1155 }
1156
1157 $MODEL 1295 $MODEL
1158 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n"; 1296 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
1159 }
1160 } 1297 }
1161
1162 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1163
1164 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1165
1166 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1167
1168 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1169 } 1298 }
1299
1300 @models = (); # free probe data
1301
1302 push @{"$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 };
1170 1321
1171 $MODEL 1322 $MODEL
1172} 1323}
1173 1324
1174sub AUTOLOAD { 1325sub AUTOLOAD {
1175 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1326 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1176 1327
1177 $method{$func} 1328 $method{$func}
1178 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1329 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
1179 1330
1180 detect unless $MODEL; 1331 detect;
1181 1332
1182 my $class = shift; 1333 my $class = shift;
1183 $class->$func (@_); 1334 $class->$func (@_);
1184} 1335}
1185 1336
1188# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1339# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1189sub _dupfh($$;$$) { 1340sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1190 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1341 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1191 1342
1192 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1343 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1193 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") : ($w, ">"); 1344 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1194 1345
1195 open my $fh2, "$mode&", $fh 1346 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1196 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,"; 1347 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1197 1348
1198 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1349 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1199 1350
1200 ($fh2, $rw) 1351 ($fh2, $rw)
1201} 1352}
1202 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
1203package AnyEvent::Base; 1407package AnyEvent::Base;
1204 1408
1205# default implementations for many methods 1409# default implementations for many methods
1206 1410
1207BEGIN { 1411sub time {
1412 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1413 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1208 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") { 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;
1209 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1416 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1210 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1417 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1211 } else { 1418 } else {
1419 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1212 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1420 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1421 }
1422
1423 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1424 };
1425 die if $@;
1426
1427 &time
1428}
1429
1430*now = \&time;
1431
1432sub now_update { }
1433
1434# default implementation for ->condvar
1435
1436sub condvar {
1437 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1438 *condvar = sub {
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
1449}
1450
1451# default implementation for ->signal
1452
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 ;
1213 } 1479 }
1214} 1480}
1215 1481
1216sub time { _time } 1482sub _sig_del {
1217sub now { _time } 1483 undef $SIG_TW
1218sub now_update { } 1484 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1219
1220# default implementation for ->condvar
1221
1222sub condvar {
1223 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1224} 1485}
1225 1486
1226# default implementation for ->signal 1487our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1488 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1489 undef $_sig_name_init;
1227 1490
1228our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1491 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1492 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1493 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1494 } else {
1495 require Config;
1229 1496
1230sub _signal_exec { 1497 my %signame2num;
1231 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1498 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1499 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1232 1500
1233 while (%SIG_EV) { 1501 my @signum2name;
1234 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1502 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1235 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1503
1236 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1504 *sig2num = sub($) {
1505 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1506 };
1507 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1508 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1509 };
1237 } 1510 }
1238 } 1511 };
1239} 1512 die if $@;
1513};
1514
1515sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1516sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1240 1517
1241sub signal { 1518sub signal {
1242 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 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 $VERBOSE >= 8;
1243 1523
1244 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1524 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1245 require Fcntl; 1525 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1246 1526
1247 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1248 require AnyEvent::Util;
1249
1250 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1251 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1252 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1253 } else { 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 {
1254 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1537 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1255 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1538 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1256 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1539 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1257 1540
1258 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1541 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1259 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1542 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1260 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::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;
1261 } 1550 }
1262 1551
1263 $SIGPIPE_R 1552 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1264 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1553 ? sub {
1554 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1265 1555
1266 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1556 # async::interrupt
1267 }
1268
1269 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1557 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1270 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1271
1272 $SIG_CB{$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
1273 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1576 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1274 local $!; 1577 local $!;
1275 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1578 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1276 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 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 $SIG_EV{$_};
1614 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1615 }
1616 }
1617 };
1277 }; 1618 };
1619 die if $@;
1278 1620
1279 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal" 1621 &signal
1280}
1281
1282sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1283 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1284
1285 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1286
1287 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1288 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1289 # instead of getting the default action.
1290 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1291} 1622}
1292 1623
1293# default implementation for ->child 1624# default implementation for ->child
1294 1625
1295our %PID_CB; 1626our %PID_CB;
1296our $CHLD_W; 1627our $CHLD_W;
1297our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1628our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1298our $WNOHANG; 1629our $WNOHANG;
1299 1630
1300sub _sigchld { 1631# used by many Impl's
1301 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1632sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1633 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1634
1635 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1302 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1636 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1303 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1637 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1304 }
1305} 1638}
1306 1639
1307sub 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 {
1308 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1650 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1309 1651
1310 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1652 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1311 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1653 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1312 1654
1313 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1655 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1314 1656
1657 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1658 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1659 ? 1
1315 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1660 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1316 1661
1317 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1662 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1318 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1663 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1319 # 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
1320 &_sigchld; 1665 &_sigchld;
1321 } 1666 }
1322 1667
1323 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child" 1668 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1324} 1669 };
1325 1670
1326sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY { 1671 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1327 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1672 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1328 1673
1329 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1674 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1330 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1675 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1331 1676
1332 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1677 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1678 };
1679 };
1680 die if $@;
1681
1682 &child
1333} 1683}
1334 1684
1335# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless 1685# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1336# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting 1686# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1337# the callback use more than 50% of the time. 1687# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1338sub idle { 1688sub idle {
1689 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1690 *idle = sub {
1339 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1691 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1340 1692
1341 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb}; 1693 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1342 1694
1343 $rcb = sub { 1695 $rcb = sub {
1344 if ($cb) { 1696 if ($cb) {
1345 $w = _time; 1697 $w = _time;
1346 &$cb; 1698 &$cb;
1347 $w = _time - $w; 1699 $w = _time - $w;
1348 1700
1349 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher, 1701 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1350 # within some limits 1702 # within some limits
1351 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001; 1703 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1352 $w = 5 if $w > 5; 1704 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1353 1705
1354 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb); 1706 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1355 } else { 1707 } else {
1356 # clean up... 1708 # clean up...
1357 undef $w; 1709 undef $w;
1358 undef $rcb; 1710 undef $rcb;
1711 }
1712 };
1713
1714 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1715
1716 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1359 } 1717 };
1718
1719 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1720 undef $${$_[0]};
1721 };
1360 }; 1722 };
1723 die if $@;
1361 1724
1362 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb); 1725 &idle
1363
1364 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1365}
1366
1367sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1368 undef $${$_[0]};
1369} 1726}
1370 1727
1371package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1728package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1372 1729
1373our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1730our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1374 1731
1732# only to be used for subclassing
1733sub new {
1734 my $class = shift;
1735 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1736}
1737
1375package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1738package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1376 1739
1377use overload 1740#use overload
1378 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1741# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1379 fallback => 1; 1742# fallback => 1;
1743
1744# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1745${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1746*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1747*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1748${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1749
1750our $WAITING;
1380 1751
1381sub _send { 1752sub _send {
1382 # nop 1753 # nop
1383} 1754}
1384 1755
1397sub ready { 1768sub ready {
1398 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1769 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1399} 1770}
1400 1771
1401sub _wait { 1772sub _wait {
1773 $WAITING
1774 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1775 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1776
1777 local $WAITING = 1;
1402 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1778 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1403} 1779}
1404 1780
1405sub recv { 1781sub recv {
1406 $_[0]->_wait; 1782 $_[0]->_wait;
1408 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1784 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1409 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1785 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1410} 1786}
1411 1787
1412sub cb { 1788sub cb {
1413 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1789 my $cv = shift;
1790
1791 @_
1792 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1793 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1794 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1795
1414 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1796 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1415} 1797}
1416 1798
1417sub begin { 1799sub begin {
1418 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1800 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1419 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1801 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1468C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1850C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1469 1851
1470When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1852When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1471model it chooses. 1853model it chooses.
1472 1854
1855When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1856which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1857
1473=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1858=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1474 1859
1475AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1860AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1476argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1861argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1477will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1862will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1478check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems, 1863check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1479it will croak. 1864it will croak.
1480 1865
1481In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1866In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1482 1867
1483Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in 1868Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1484production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1869>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1485developing programs can be very useful, however. 1870C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1871can be very useful, however.
1486 1872
1487=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1873=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1488 1874
1489This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1875This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1490auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1876auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1552 1938
1553When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during 1939When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1554L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment 1940L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1555variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations 1941variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1556instead of a system-dependent default. 1942instead of a system-dependent default.
1943
1944=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1945
1946When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1947loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1557 1948
1558=back 1949=back
1559 1950
1560=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1951=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1561 1952
1619 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2010 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1620 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2011 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1621 }, 2012 },
1622 ); 2013 );
1623 2014
1624 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1625
1626 sub new_timer {
1627 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2015 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1628 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2016 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1629 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1630 }); 2017 });
1631 }
1632
1633 new_timer; # create first timer
1634 2018
1635 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2019 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1636 2020
1637=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2021=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1638 2022
1711 2095
1712The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2096The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1713that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2097that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1714whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2098whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1715and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2099and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1716problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2100problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1717random callback. 2101random callback.
1718 2102
1719All of this enables the following usage styles: 2103All of this enables the following usage styles:
1720 2104
17211. Blocking: 21051. Blocking:
1769through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2153through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1770timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2154timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1771which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2155which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1772 2156
1773Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2157Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1774distribution. 2158distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2159for the EV and Perl backends only.
1775 2160
1776=head3 Explanation of the columns 2161=head3 Explanation of the columns
1777 2162
1778I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2163I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1779different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2164different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1800watcher. 2185watcher.
1801 2186
1802=head3 Results 2187=head3 Results
1803 2188
1804 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2189 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1805 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2190 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1806 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2191 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1807 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2192 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1808 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2193 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1809 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2194 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1810 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2195 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1811 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll 2196 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1812 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll 2197 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1813 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2198 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1814 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2199 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1815 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2200 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1816 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2201 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1817 2202
1818=head3 Discussion 2203=head3 Discussion
1819 2204
1820The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2205The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1821well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2206well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1833benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2218benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1834EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2219EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1835cycles with POE. 2220cycles with POE.
1836 2221
1837C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2222C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1838maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2223maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2224overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2225slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1839far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2226any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1840natively.
1841 2227
1842The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2228The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1843constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2229constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1844interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2230interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1845adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2231adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1919In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2305In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1920(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2306(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1921connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2307connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1922 2308
1923Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2309Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1924distribution. 2310distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2311for the EV and Perl backends only.
1925 2312
1926=head3 Explanation of the columns 2313=head3 Explanation of the columns
1927 2314
1928I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2315I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1929each server has a read and write socket end). 2316each server has a read and write socket end).
1937a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2324a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1938 2325
1939=head3 Results 2326=head3 Results
1940 2327
1941 name sockets create request 2328 name sockets create request
1942 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2329 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1943 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2330 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1944 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll 2331 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1945 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll 2332 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
1946 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2333 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
1947 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2334 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1948 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2335 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1949 2336
1950=head3 Discussion 2337=head3 Discussion
1951 2338
1952This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2339This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1953particular event loop. 2340particular event loop.
2079As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the 2466As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2080hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl 2467hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2081backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE. 2468backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2082 2469
2083And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and 2470And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2084slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a 2471slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2085large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O 2472higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2086in a non-blocking way. 2473it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2087 2474
2088The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and 2475The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2089F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are 2476F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2090part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes. 2477part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2091 2478
2092 2479
2093=head1 SIGNALS 2480=head1 SIGNALS
2094 2481
2095AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2482AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2129 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE'; 2516 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2130 2517
2131$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2518$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2132 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2519 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2133 2520
2521=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2522
2523One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2524its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2525
2526That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2527modules if they are installed.
2528
2529This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2530affect AnyEvent's operation.
2531
2532=over 4
2533
2534=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2535
2536This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2537my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2538signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2539delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2540catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2541C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2542
2543If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2544catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2545will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2546battery life on laptops).
2547
2548This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2549that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2550
2551Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2552and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2553(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2554does nothing for those backends.
2555
2556=item L<EV>
2557
2558This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2559event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2560loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2561the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2562automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2563can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2564C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2565L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2566
2567If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2568then this module will do nothing for you.
2569
2570=item L<Guard>
2571
2572The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2573C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2574lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2575purely used for performance.
2576
2577=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2578
2579One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2580via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2581advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2582
2583=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2584
2585Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2586worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2587the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2588
2589=item L<Time::HiRes>
2590
2591This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2592chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2593pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2594try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2595
2596=back
2597
2598
2134=head1 FORK 2599=head1 FORK
2135 2600
2136Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2601Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
2137because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2602because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
2138calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2603- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2604are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2605one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2606continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2607what you are doing).
2608
2609This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2610the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2611usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2612is loaded).
2139 2613
2140If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2614If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
2141watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2615watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2616something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2617
2618The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2619is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2620fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2621watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2622parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2623to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2624preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2625to have another binary.
2142 2626
2143 2627
2144=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2628=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
2145 2629
2146AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2630AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
2176pronounced). 2660pronounced).
2177 2661
2178 2662
2179=head1 SEE ALSO 2663=head1 SEE ALSO
2180 2664
2665Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2666
2667FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2668
2181Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2669Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
2182 2670
2183Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2671Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
2184L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2672L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
2185 2673
2186Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2674Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
2187L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2675L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
2188L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2676L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
2189L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>. 2677L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
2190 2678
2191Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2679Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2192servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>. 2680servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2193 2681
2194Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2682Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2195 2683
2196Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, 2684Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
2197L<Coro::Event>,
2198 2685
2199Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, 2686Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2200L<AnyEvent::HTTP>. 2687L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
2201 2688
2202 2689
2203=head1 AUTHOR 2690=head1 AUTHOR
2204 2691

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