ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm
(Generate patch)

Comparing AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.117 by root, Sun May 11 17:54:13 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.268 by root, Thu Jul 30 16:39:19 2009 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
39
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 53
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 55
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 58
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 61
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 62First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 63interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 65the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 66only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
37 69
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 70The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 74model you use.
43 75
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 77actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 78like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 80that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 82
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 85with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 86your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 88event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 89use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 91
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 92In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 93model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enourmous amount of code and strict rules you have to 94modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 95follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 96offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 97technically possible.
66 98
99Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
100of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
101non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
102such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
103platform bugs and differences.
104
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 105Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 106useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 107model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 108
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 109=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 110
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 140starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 141use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 142
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 143The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 144C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 145explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 146
109=head1 WATCHERS 147=head1 WATCHERS
110 148
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 149AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 150stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
113the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 151the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
114 152
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 156is in control).
119 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 166to it).
123 167
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 170Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 171example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 172
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 173An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 174
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 175 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 176 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 177 undef $w;
134 }); 178 });
135 179
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 180Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 182declared.
139 183
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 185
186 $w = AnyEvent->io (
187 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
188 poll => <"r" or "w">,
189 cb => <callback>,
190 );
191
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 192You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 193with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 194
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 195C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
197handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
198non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
199most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
200or block devices.
201
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 202C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
147which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 203watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
204
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 205C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 206
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 207Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 208presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 209callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 210
158 214
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 215Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 216always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 217handles.
162 218
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 219Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
220watcher.
221
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 222 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 223 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 224 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 225 undef $w;
170 }); 226 });
171 227
172=head2 TIME WATCHERS 228=head2 TIME WATCHERS
173 229
230 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
231
232 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
233 after => <fractional_seconds>,
234 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
235 cb => <callback>,
236 );
237
174You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 238You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
175method with the following mandatory arguments: 239method with the following mandatory arguments:
176 240
177C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 241C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
178supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 242supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
180 244
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 245Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 246presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 247callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 248
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 249The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 250parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 251callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
252seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
253false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
188 254
189Example: 255The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
256attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
257only approximate.
190 258
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 259Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
260
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 261 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 262 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 263 });
195 264
196 # to cancel the timer: 265 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 266 undef $w;
198 267
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 268Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 269
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 270 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
271 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 272 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 273
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 274=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 275
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 276There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 277in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
227timers. 289timers.
228 290
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 291AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 292AnyEvent API.
231 293
294AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
295
296=over 4
297
298=item AnyEvent->time
299
300This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
301seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
302return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
303
304It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
305will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
306
307=item AnyEvent->now
308
309This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
310this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
311the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
312time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
313
314I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
315function to call when you want to know the current time.>
316
317This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
318thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
319L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
320
321The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
322with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
323
324For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
325and L<EV> and the following set-up:
326
327The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
328time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
329you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
330second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
331after three seconds.
332
333With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
334both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
335be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
336
337With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
338time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
339last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
340to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
341
342In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
343regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
344callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
345higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
346
347In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
348the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
349
350In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
351can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
352difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
353account.
354
355=item AnyEvent->now_update
356
357Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
358the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
359AnyEvent->now >>, above).
360
361When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
362this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
363might affect timers and time-outs.
364
365When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
366event loop's idea of "current time".
367
368Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
369
370=back
371
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 372=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 373
374 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
375
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 376You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 377I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 378callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 379
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 380Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 381presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 382callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 383
242Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 384Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 385invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 386that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 387but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 388
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 389The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 390between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
391interrupt your program at bad times.
249 392
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 393This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 394so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
395correctly.
252 396
253Example: exit on SIGINT 397Example: exit on SIGINT
254 398
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 399 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 400
401=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
402
403Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
404callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
405do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
406this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
407signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
408specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
409variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
410and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
411AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
412will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
413saving.
414
415All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
416L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
417work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
418(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
419one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
420
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 421=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 422
423 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
424
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 425You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 426
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 427The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 428using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
263as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 429croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 430finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 431(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 432
433The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
434waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
435callback arguments.
436
437This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
438and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
439random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
440C<system>, is just fine).
267 441
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 442There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
269I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 443I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 444have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 445
272Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 446Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
447see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
273event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 448that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
274loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 449the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
450pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
451start the watcher.
275 452
276This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 453This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 454thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 455watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
456C<AnyEvent::detect>).
457
458As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
459emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
460mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
279 461
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 462Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 463
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 464 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 465
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 466 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 467
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 468 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 469 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 470 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 471 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 472 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 473 $done->send;
292 }, 474 },
293 ); 475 );
294 476
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 477 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 478 $done->recv;
479
480=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
481
482 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
483
484Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
485to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
486"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
487attention by the event loop".
488
489Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
490better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
491events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
492
493Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
494EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
495will simply call the callback "from time to time".
496
497Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
498program is otherwise idle:
499
500 my @lines; # read data
501 my $idle_w;
502 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
503 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
504
505 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
506 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
507 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
508 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
509 print "handled when idle: $line";
510 } else {
511 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
512 undef $idle_w;
513 }
514 });
515 });
297 516
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 517=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
518
519 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
520
521 $cv->send (<list>);
522 my @res = $cv->recv;
299 523
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 524If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 525require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 526will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 527
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 528AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 529loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 530
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 531The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 532because they represent a condition that must become true.
533
534Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 535
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 536Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 537>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 538C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 539becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
540the results).
314 541
315After creation, the conditon variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 542After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method. 543by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
544were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
545->send >> method).
317 546
318Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 547Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
319optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 548optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
320in time where multiple outstandign events have been processed. And yet 549in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
321another way to call them is transations - each condition variable can be 550another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
322used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 551used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
323a result. 552a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
553compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
324 554
325Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 555Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
326for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 556for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
327then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 557then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
328availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 558availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
332you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you 562you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
333could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit 563could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
334button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event. 564button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
335 565
336Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 566Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
337two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 567two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
338lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 568lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
339you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 569you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
340as this asks for trouble. 570as this asks for trouble.
341 571
342Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 572Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
347 577
348There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 578There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
349eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 579eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
350for the send to occur. 580for the send to occur.
351 581
352Example: 582Example: wait for a timer.
353 583
354 # wait till the result is ready 584 # wait till the result is ready
355 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 585 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
356 586
357 # do something such as adding a timer 587 # do something such as adding a timer
362 after => 1, 592 after => 1,
363 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 593 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
364 ); 594 );
365 595
366 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 596 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
367 # calls send 597 # calls -<send
368 $result_ready->recv; 598 $result_ready->recv;
599
600Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
601variables are also callable directly.
602
603 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
604 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
605 $done->recv;
606
607Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
608callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
609the main program:
610
611 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
612
613 ...
614
615 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
616
617And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
618results are available:
619
620 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
621 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
622 });
369 623
370=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 624=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
371 625
372These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 626These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
373code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 627code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
386immediately from within send. 640immediately from within send.
387 641
388Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 642Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
389future C<< ->recv >> calls. 643future C<< ->recv >> calls.
390 644
645Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
646they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
647C<send>.
648
391=item $cv->croak ($error) 649=item $cv->croak ($error)
392 650
393Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 651Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
394C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 652C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
395 653
396This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 654This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
397user/consumer. 655user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
656delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
657diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
658deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
659the problem.
398 660
399=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 661=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
400 662
401=item $cv->end 663=item $cv->end
402
403These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
404 664
405These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 665These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
406one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 666one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
407to use a condition variable for the whole process. 667to use a condition variable for the whole process.
408 668
410C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 670C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
411>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 671>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
412is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 672is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
413callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 673callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
414 674
415Let's clarify this with the ping example: 675You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
676sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
677condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
678
679Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
680STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
681close before activating a condvar:
682
683 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
684
685 $cv->begin; # first watcher
686 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
687 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
688 or $cv->end;
689 });
690
691 $cv->begin; # second watcher
692 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
693 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
694 or $cv->end;
695 });
696
697 $cv->recv;
698
699This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
700one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
701sending.
702
703The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
704there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
705begung can potentially be zero:
416 706
417 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 707 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
418 708
419 my %result; 709 my %result;
420 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 710 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
440loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 730loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
441to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 731to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
442C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 732C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
443doesn't execute once). 733doesn't execute once).
444 734
445This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 735This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
446use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 736potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
447is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 737the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
448C<begin> and for eahc subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 738subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
739call C<end>.
449 740
450=back 741=back
451 742
452=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 743=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
453 744
469function will call C<croak>. 760function will call C<croak>.
470 761
471In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 762In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
472in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 763in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
473 764
765Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
766event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
767>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
768condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
769L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
770any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
771
474Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 772Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
475(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 773(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
476using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 774using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
477caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 775caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
478condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 776condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
479callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 777callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
480while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 778while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
481
482Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
483sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
484multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
485can supply.
486
487The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
488fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
489versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
490C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
491coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
492 779
493You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 780You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
494only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 781only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
495time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 782time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
496waits otherwise. 783waits otherwise.
498=item $bool = $cv->ready 785=item $bool = $cv->ready
499 786
500Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 787Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
501C<croak> have been called. 788C<croak> have been called.
502 789
503=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 790=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
504 791
505This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 792This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
506replaces it before doing so. 793replaces it before doing so.
507 794
508The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 795The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
509C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 796C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
510or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 797variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
798is guaranteed not to block.
511 799
512=back 800=back
513 801
802=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
803
804The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
805
806=over 4
807
808=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
809
810EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
811use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
812that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
813available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
814
815 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
816 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
817 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
818
819=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
820
821These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
822is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
823them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
824when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
825create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
826
827 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
828 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
829 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
830 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
831 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
832
833=item Backends with special needs.
834
835Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
836otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
837instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
838everything should just work.
839
840 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
841
842Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
843architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
844is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
845it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
846L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
847
848 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
849
850=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
851
852Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
853
854There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
855
856B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
857use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
858polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
859consider for AnyEvent.
860
861B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
862backend, so it can be supported through POE.
863
864AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
865load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
866in which case everything will be automatic.
867
868=back
869
514=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 870=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
515 871
872These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
873write AnyEvent extension modules.
874
516=over 4 875=over 4
517 876
518=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 877=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
519 878
520Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 879Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
880backend has been autodetected.
881
521contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 882Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
522Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 883name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
523C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 884of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
524AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 885case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
525 886will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
526The known classes so far are:
527
528 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
529 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
530 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
531 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
532 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
533 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
534 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
535 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
536
537There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
538watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
539POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
540second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
541AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
542it's adaptor.
543
544AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
545autodetecting them.
546 887
547=item AnyEvent::detect 888=item AnyEvent::detect
548 889
549Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 890Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
550if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 891if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
551have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 892have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
552runtime. 893runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
894
895If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
896created, use C<post_detect>.
553 897
554=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 898=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
555 899
556Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 900Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
557autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 901autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
558 902
903The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
904(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
905created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
906other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
907L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
908
909The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
910event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
911and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
912avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
913
559If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 914If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
560that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 915that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
916C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
561L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 917a case where this is useful.
918
919Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
920C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
921
922 our WATCHER;
923
924 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
925 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
926 };
927
928 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
929 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
930 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
931 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
932
933 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
562 934
563=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 935=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
564 936
565If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 937If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
566before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 938before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
567the event loop has been chosen. 939the event loop has been chosen.
568 940
569You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 941You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
570if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 942if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
571and the array will be ignored. 943array will be ignored.
572 944
573Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 945Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
946it,as it takes care of these details.
947
948This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
949when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
950not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
951into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
574 952
575=back 953=back
576 954
577=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 955=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
578 956
601 979
602If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 980If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
603do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 981do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
604decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 982decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
605 983
606If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 984If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
607Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 985Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
608event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 986event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
609speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 987speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
610modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 988modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
611decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 989decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
612might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 990might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
613 991
614You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 992You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
615loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 993C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
616behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 994everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
995
996=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
997
998Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
999only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
1000
1001In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
1002
1003 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
1004
1005This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
1006
1007Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
1008it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
1009variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
1010exit cleanly.
1011
617 1012
618=head1 OTHER MODULES 1013=head1 OTHER MODULES
619 1014
620The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1015The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
621AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1016AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
622in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1017modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
623available via CPAN. 1018come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
624 1019
625=over 4 1020=over 4
626 1021
627=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1022=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
628 1023
629Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1024Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
630functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1025functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
631 1026
1027=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
1028
1029Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
1030addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
1031connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
1032
632=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1033=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
633 1034
634Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes. 1035Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1036supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1037non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1038
1039=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
1040
1041Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1042
1043=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1044
1045A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1046HTTP requests.
635 1047
636=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1048=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
637 1049
638Provides a simple web application server framework. 1050Provides a simple web application server framework.
639 1051
640=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
641
642Provides asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities, beyond what
643L<AnyEvent::Util> offers.
644
645=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1052=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
646 1053
647The fastest ping in the west. 1054The fastest ping in the west.
648 1055
1056=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1057
1058Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1059
1060=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1061
1062Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1063programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1064together.
1065
1066=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1067
1068Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1069L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1070
1071=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1072
1073A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1074
649=item L<Net::IRC3> 1075=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
650 1076
651AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1077AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
652 1078
653=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1079=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
654 1080
655AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1081AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1082Net::XMPP2>.
1083
1084=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1085
1086A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1087L<App::IGS>).
656 1088
657=item L<Net::FCP> 1089=item L<Net::FCP>
658 1090
659AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1091AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
660of AnyEvent. 1092of AnyEvent.
665 1097
666=item L<Coro> 1098=item L<Coro>
667 1099
668Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1100Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
669 1101
670=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
671
672Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
673programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
674together.
675
676=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
677
678Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
679IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
680
681=item L<IO::Lambda>
682
683The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
684
685=back 1102=back
686 1103
687=cut 1104=cut
688 1105
689package AnyEvent; 1106package AnyEvent;
690 1107
1108# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1109sub common_sense {
691no warnings; 1110 # no warnings
692use strict; 1111 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
1112 # use strict vars subs
1113 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1114}
693 1115
1116BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1117
694use Carp; 1118use Carp ();
695 1119
696our $VERSION = '3.41'; 1120our $VERSION = 4.9;
697our $MODEL; 1121our $MODEL;
698 1122
699our $AUTOLOAD; 1123our $AUTOLOAD;
700our @ISA; 1124our @ISA;
701 1125
702our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
703
704our @REGISTRY; 1126our @REGISTRY;
705 1127
1128our $WIN32;
1129
1130our $VERBOSE;
1131
1132BEGIN {
1133 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
1134 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
1135
1136 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1137 if ${^TAINT};
1138
1139 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1140
1141}
1142
1143our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1144
1145our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1146
1147{
1148 my $idx;
1149 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1150 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1151 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1152}
1153
706my @models = ( 1154my @models = (
707 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1155 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
708 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1156 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1157 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1158 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1159 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1160 # and is usually faster
1161 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1162 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1163 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
709 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1164 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1165 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1166 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
710 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1167 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
711 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1168 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
712 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1169 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
713 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1170 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
714 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1171 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
715 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1172 # obvious default class.
716 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1173# [0, IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
717 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1174# [0, IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1175# [0, IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
718); 1176);
719 1177
720our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1178our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1179 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
721 1180
722our @post_detect; 1181our @post_detect;
723 1182
724sub post_detect(&) { 1183sub post_detect(&) {
725 my ($cb) = @_; 1184 my ($cb) = @_;
726 1185
727 if ($MODEL) { 1186 if ($MODEL) {
728 $cb->(); 1187 $cb->();
729 1188
730 1 1189 undef
731 } else { 1190 } else {
732 push @post_detect, $cb; 1191 push @post_detect, $cb;
733 1192
734 defined wantarray 1193 defined wantarray
735 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::Guard" 1194 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
736 : () 1195 : ()
737 } 1196 }
738} 1197}
739 1198
740sub AnyEvent::Util::Guard::DESTROY { 1199sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
741 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1200 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
742} 1201}
743 1202
744sub detect() { 1203sub detect() {
745 unless ($MODEL) { 1204 unless ($MODEL) {
746 no strict 'refs'; 1205 local $SIG{__DIE__};
747 1206
748 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1207 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
749 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1208 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
750 if (eval "require $model") { 1209 if (eval "require $model") {
751 $MODEL = $model; 1210 $MODEL = $model;
752 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1211 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
753 } else { 1212 } else {
754 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1213 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
755 } 1214 }
756 } 1215 }
757 1216
758 # check for already loaded models 1217 # check for already loaded models
759 unless ($MODEL) { 1218 unless ($MODEL) {
760 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1219 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
761 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1220 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
762 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1221 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
763 if (eval "require $model") { 1222 if (eval "require $model") {
764 $MODEL = $model; 1223 $MODEL = $model;
765 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1224 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
766 last; 1225 last;
767 } 1226 }
768 } 1227 }
769 } 1228 }
770 1229
771 unless ($MODEL) { 1230 unless ($MODEL) {
772 # try to load a model 1231 # try to autoload a model
773
774 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1232 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
775 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1233 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1234 if (
1235 $autoload
776 if (eval "require $package" 1236 and eval "require $package"
777 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1237 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
778 and eval "require $model") { 1238 and eval "require $model"
1239 ) {
779 $MODEL = $model; 1240 $MODEL = $model;
780 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1241 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
781 last; 1242 last;
782 } 1243 }
783 } 1244 }
784 1245
785 $MODEL 1246 $MODEL
786 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1247 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
787 } 1248 }
788 } 1249 }
789 1250
1251 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1252
790 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1253 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
791 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1254
1255 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
792 1256
793 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1257 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
794 } 1258 }
795 1259
796 $MODEL 1260 $MODEL
798 1262
799sub AUTOLOAD { 1263sub AUTOLOAD {
800 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1264 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
801 1265
802 $method{$func} 1266 $method{$func}
803 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1267 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
804 1268
805 detect unless $MODEL; 1269 detect unless $MODEL;
806 1270
807 my $class = shift; 1271 my $class = shift;
808 $class->$func (@_); 1272 $class->$func (@_);
809} 1273}
810 1274
1275# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1276# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1277# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1278sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1279 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1280
1281 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1282 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1283
1284 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1285 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1286
1287 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1288
1289 ($fh2, $rw)
1290}
1291
811package AnyEvent::Base; 1292package AnyEvent::Base;
812 1293
1294# default implementations for many methods
1295
1296sub _time {
1297 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1298 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1299 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1300 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1301 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1302 } else {
1303 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1304 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1305 }
1306
1307 &_time
1308}
1309
1310sub time { _time }
1311sub now { _time }
1312sub now_update { }
1313
813# default implementation for ->condvar 1314# default implementation for ->condvar
814 1315
815sub condvar { 1316sub condvar {
816 bless {}, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1317 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
817} 1318}
818 1319
819# default implementation for ->signal 1320# default implementation for ->signal
820 1321
821our %SIG_CB; 1322our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1323
1324sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1325 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1326 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.0 (); 1")
1327 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1328
1329 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1330}
1331
1332our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1333our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1334our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1335
1336sub _signal_exec {
1337 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1338 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1339 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1340
1341 while (%SIG_EV) {
1342 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1343 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1344 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1345 }
1346 }
1347}
1348
1349# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1350sub _sig_add() {
1351 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1352 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1353 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1354
1355 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1356 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1357 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1358 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1359 );
1360 }
1361}
1362
1363sub _sig_del {
1364 undef $SIG_TW
1365 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1366}
1367
1368our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1369 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1370 undef $_sig_name_init;
1371
1372 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1373 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1374 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1375 } else {
1376 require Config;
1377
1378 my %signame2num;
1379 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1380 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1381
1382 my @signum2name;
1383 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1384
1385 *sig2num = sub($) {
1386 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1387 };
1388 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1389 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1390 };
1391 }
1392 };
1393 die if $@;
1394};
1395
1396sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1397sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
822 1398
823sub signal { 1399sub signal {
1400 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1401 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1402 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1403 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1404
1405 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1406 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1407
1408 } else {
1409 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1410
1411 require Fcntl;
1412
1413 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1414 require AnyEvent::Util;
1415
1416 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1417 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1418 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1419 } else {
1420 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1421 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1422 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1423
1424 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1425 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1426 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1427 }
1428
1429 $SIGPIPE_R
1430 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1431
1432 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1433 }
1434
1435 *signal = sub {
824 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1436 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
825 1437
826 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1438 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
827 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1439 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
828 1440
1441 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1442 # async::interrupt
1443
1444 $signal = sig2num $signal;
829 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1445 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1446
1447 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1448 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1449 signal => $signal,
1450 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1451 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1452 ;
1453
1454 } else {
1455 # pure perl
1456
1457 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1458 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1459 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1460
830 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1461 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
831 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1462 local $!;
1463 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1464 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1465 };
1466
1467 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1468 # so limit the signal latency.
1469 _sig_add;
1470 }
1471
1472 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1473 };
1474
1475 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1476 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1477
1478 _sig_del;
1479
1480 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1481
1482 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1483 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1484 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1485 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1486 # instead of getting the default action.
1487 undef $SIG{$signal}
1488 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1489 };
832 }; 1490 };
833 1491 die if $@;
834 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1492 &signal
835}
836
837sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
838 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
839
840 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
841
842 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
843} 1493}
844 1494
845# default implementation for ->child 1495# default implementation for ->child
846 1496
847our %PID_CB; 1497our %PID_CB;
848our $CHLD_W; 1498our $CHLD_W;
849our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1499our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
850our $PID_IDLE;
851our $WNOHANG; 1500our $WNOHANG;
852 1501
853sub _child_wait { 1502sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
854 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1503 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1504
1505 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
855 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1506 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
856 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1507 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
857 }
858
859 undef $PID_IDLE;
860} 1508}
861 1509
862sub _sigchld { 1510sub _sigchld {
863 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1511 my $pid;
864 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1512
865 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1513 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
866 &_child_wait; 1514 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
867 });
868} 1515}
869 1516
870sub child { 1517sub child {
871 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1518 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
872 1519
873 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1520 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
874 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1521 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
875 1522
876 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1523 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
877 1524
878 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1525 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
879 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1526 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
880 } 1527 ? 1
1528 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
881 1529
882 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1530 unless ($CHLD_W) {
883 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1531 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
884 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1532 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
885 &_sigchld; 1533 &_sigchld;
886 } 1534 }
887 1535
888 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1536 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
889} 1537}
890 1538
891sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1539sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
892 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1540 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
893 1541
894 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1542 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
895 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1543 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
896 1544
897 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1545 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
898} 1546}
899 1547
1548# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1549# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1550# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1551sub idle {
1552 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1553
1554 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1555
1556 $rcb = sub {
1557 if ($cb) {
1558 $w = _time;
1559 &$cb;
1560 $w = _time - $w;
1561
1562 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1563 # within some limits
1564 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1565 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1566
1567 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1568 } else {
1569 # clean up...
1570 undef $w;
1571 undef $rcb;
1572 }
1573 };
1574
1575 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1576
1577 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1578}
1579
1580sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1581 undef $${$_[0]};
1582}
1583
900package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1584package AnyEvent::CondVar;
901 1585
902our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1586our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
903 1587
904package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1588package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1589
1590#use overload
1591# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1592# fallback => 1;
1593
1594# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1595${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1596*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1597*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1598${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1599
1600our $WAITING;
905 1601
906sub _send { 1602sub _send {
907 # nop 1603 # nop
908} 1604}
909 1605
922sub ready { 1618sub ready {
923 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1619 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
924} 1620}
925 1621
926sub _wait { 1622sub _wait {
1623 $WAITING
1624 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1625 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1626
1627 local $WAITING = 1;
927 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1628 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
928} 1629}
929 1630
930sub recv { 1631sub recv {
931 $_[0]->_wait; 1632 $_[0]->_wait;
944 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1645 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
945} 1646}
946 1647
947sub end { 1648sub end {
948 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1649 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
949 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} } if $_[0]{_ae_end_cb}; 1650 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
950} 1651}
951 1652
952# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1653# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
953*broadcast = \&send; 1654*broadcast = \&send;
954*wait = \&_wait; 1655*wait = \&_wait;
1656
1657#############################################################################
1658# "new" API, currently only emulation of it
1659#############################################################################
1660
1661package AE;
1662
1663sub io($$$) {
1664 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1665}
1666
1667sub timer($$$) {
1668 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2]);
1669}
1670
1671sub signal($$) {
1672 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1]);
1673}
1674
1675sub child($$) {
1676 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1]);
1677}
1678
1679sub idle($) {
1680 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0]);
1681}
1682
1683sub cv() {
1684 AnyEvent->condvar
1685}
1686
1687sub now() {
1688 AnyEvent->now
1689}
1690
1691sub now_update() {
1692 AnyEvent->now_update
1693}
1694
1695sub time() {
1696 AnyEvent->time
1697}
1698
1699=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1700
1701In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1702caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1703the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1704checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1705development.
1706
1707As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1708executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1709also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1710program.
1711
1712The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1713within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1714$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1715so on.
1716
1717=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1718
1719The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1720submodules.
1721
1722Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1723C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1724enabled.
1725
1726=over 4
1727
1728=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1729
1730By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1731conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1732talkative.
1733
1734When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1735conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1736C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1737
1738When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1739model it chooses.
1740
1741When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1742which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1743
1744=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1745
1746AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1747argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1748will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1749check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1750it will croak.
1751
1752In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1753
1754Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1755>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1756C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1757can be very useful, however.
1758
1759=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1760
1761This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1762auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1763entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1764and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1765used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1766auto detection and -probing.
1767
1768This functionality might change in future versions.
1769
1770For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1771could start your program like this:
1772
1773 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1774
1775=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1776
1777Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1778for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1779of auto probing).
1780
1781Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1782current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1783used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1784list.
1785
1786This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1787against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1788small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1789
1790Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1791but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1792- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1793addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1794IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1795
1796=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1797
1798Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1799for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1800some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1801default.
1802
1803Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1804EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1805
1806=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1807
1808The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1809will create in parallel.
1810
1811=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1812
1813The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1814resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1815sent to the DNS server.
1816
1817=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1818
1819The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1820configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1821default config will be used.
1822
1823=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1824
1825When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1826L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1827variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1828instead of a system-dependent default.
1829
1830=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1831
1832When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1833loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1834
1835=back
955 1836
956=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1837=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
957 1838
958This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1839This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
959a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1840a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
993 1874
994I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1875I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
995condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1876condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
996C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1877C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
997not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1878not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
998
999=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1000
1001The following environment variables are used by this module:
1002
1003=over 4
1004
1005=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1006
1007By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1008conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1009talkative.
1010
1011When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1012conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1013C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1014
1015When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1016model it chooses.
1017
1018=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1019
1020This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1021autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1022entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1023and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1024used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1025autodetection and -probing.
1026
1027This functionality might change in future versions.
1028
1029For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1030could start your program like this:
1031
1032 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1033
1034=back
1035 1879
1036=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1880=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1037 1881
1038The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1882The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1039to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1883to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1048 poll => 'r', 1892 poll => 'r',
1049 cb => sub { 1893 cb => sub {
1050 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1894 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
1051 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1895 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
1052 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1896 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1053 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1897 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1054 }, 1898 },
1055 ); 1899 );
1056 1900
1057 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1901 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1058 1902
1063 }); 1907 });
1064 } 1908 }
1065 1909
1066 new_timer; # create first timer 1910 new_timer; # create first timer
1067 1911
1068 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1912 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1069 1913
1070=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1914=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1071 1915
1072Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1916Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
1073API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1917API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
1123 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1967 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
1124 or die "connection or write error"; 1968 or die "connection or write error";
1125 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1969 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
1126 1970
1127Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1971Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
1128result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1972result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
1129 1973
1130 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1974 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
1131 1975
1132 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1976 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
1133 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1977 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
1134 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1978 $txn->{finished}->send;
1135 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1979 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
1136 } 1980 }
1137 1981
1138The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1982The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
1139request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1983request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
1140data: 1984data:
1141 1985
1142 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1986 $txn->{finished}->recv;
1143 return $txn->{result}; 1987 return $txn->{result};
1144 1988
1145The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1989The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1146that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1990that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1147whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1991whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1148and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1992and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1149problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1993problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
1150random callback. 1994random callback.
1151 1995
1182 2026
1183 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 2027 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
1184 2028
1185 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 2029 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
1186 ... 2030 ...
1187 $quit->broadcast; 2031 $quit->send;
1188 }); 2032 });
1189 2033
1190 $quit->wait; 2034 $quit->recv;
1191 2035
1192 2036
1193=head1 BENCHMARKS 2037=head1 BENCHMARKS
1194 2038
1195To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 2039To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
1197of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 2041of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
1198 2042
1199=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 2043=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
1200 2044
1201Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 2045Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
1202through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2046through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1203timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2047timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1204which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2048which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1205 2049
1206Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2050Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1207distribution. 2051distribution.
1224all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 2068all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
1225and memory usage is not included in the figures. 2069and memory usage is not included in the figures.
1226 2070
1227I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 2071I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
1228callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 2072callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
1229invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 2073invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
1230signal the end of this phase. 2074signal the end of this phase.
1231 2075
1232I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 2076I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
1233watcher. 2077watcher.
1234 2078
1235=head3 Results 2079=head3 Results
1236 2080
1237 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2081 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1238 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2082 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1239 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2083 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1240 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2084 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1241 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2085 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1242 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2086 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1243 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2087 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2088 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2089 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1244 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2090 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1245 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2091 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1246 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2092 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1247 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2093 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1248 2094
1249=head3 Discussion 2095=head3 Discussion
1250 2096
1251The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2097The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1252well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2098well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1277performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2123performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1278them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2124them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1279 2125
1280The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2126The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1281cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2127cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2128
2129C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2130when using its pure perl backend.
1282 2131
1283C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2132C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1284faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2133faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1285C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2134C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1286watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2135watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1330 2179
1331=back 2180=back
1332 2181
1333=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 2182=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1334 2183
1335This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 2184This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1336creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 2185creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1337timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 2186timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1338watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 2187watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1339watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 2188watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1340 2189
1341The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 2190The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1342are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 2191are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1343fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 2192fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1344timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 2193timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1345most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 2194most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1346 2195
1347In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2196In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1348(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2197(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1349connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2198connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1350 2199
1351Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2200Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1352distribution. 2201distribution.
1354=head3 Explanation of the columns 2203=head3 Explanation of the columns
1355 2204
1356I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2205I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1357each server has a read and write socket end). 2206each server has a read and write socket end).
1358 2207
1359I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 2208I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1360nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 2209nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1361 2210
1362I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 2211I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1363single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 2212single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1364it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2213it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1365a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2214a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1366 2215
1367=head3 Results 2216=head3 Results
1368 2217
1369 name sockets create request 2218 name sockets create request
1370 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2219 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1371 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2220 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2221 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2222 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1372 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2223 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1373 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2224 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1374 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2225 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1375 2226
1376=head3 Discussion 2227=head3 Discussion
1377 2228
1378This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2229This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1379particular event loop. 2230particular event loop.
1381EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2232EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1382is relatively high, though. 2233is relatively high, though.
1383 2234
1384Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2235Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1385loops Event and Glib. 2236loops Event and Glib.
2237
2238IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2239good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1386 2240
1387Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2241Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1388understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2242understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1389the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2243the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1390uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2244uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1437speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 2291speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1438them). 2292them).
1439 2293
1440EV is again fastest. 2294EV is again fastest.
1441 2295
1442Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 2296Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1443loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 2297loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1444matter. 2298matter.
1445 2299
1446POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 2300POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1447others. 2301others.
1450 2304
1451=over 4 2305=over 4
1452 2306
1453=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2307=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1454watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2308watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
2309
2310=back
2311
2312=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2313
2314Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2315could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2316simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2317shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2318fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2319very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2320baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2321
2322The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2323connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2324creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2325test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2326benchmark nevertheless.
2327
2328 name runtime
2329 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2330 + optimized 0.122 sec
2331 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2332 + optimized 0.138 sec
2333 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2334 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2335 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2336 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2337
2338 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2339 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2340 +state machine 0.134 sec
2341
2342The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2343benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2344defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2345written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2346AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2347resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2348generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2349connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2350
2351The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2352offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2353Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2354non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2355
2356As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2357hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2358backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2359
2360And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2361slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2362large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2363in a non-blocking way.
2364
2365The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2366F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2367part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2368
2369
2370=head1 SIGNALS
2371
2372AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2373
2374=over 4
2375
2376=item SIGCHLD
2377
2378A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2379emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2380event loops install a similar handler.
2381
2382Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2383AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2384
2385=item SIGPIPE
2386
2387A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2388when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2389
2390The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2391on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2392badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2393program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2394some random socket.
2395
2396The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2397that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2398
2399Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2400
2401=back
2402
2403=cut
2404
2405undef $SIG{CHLD}
2406 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2407
2408$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2409 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2410
2411=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2412
2413One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2414it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2415
2416That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2417modules if they are installed.
2418
2419This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2420affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2421
2422=over 4
2423
2424=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2425
2426This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2427my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2428signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2429delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2430catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2431C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2432
2433If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2434catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2435will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2436battery life on laptops).
2437
2438This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2439that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2440
2441Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2442and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2443(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2444does nothing for those backends.
2445
2446=item L<EV>
2447
2448This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2449event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2450loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2451the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2452automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2453can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2454C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2455L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2456
2457=item L<Guard>
2458
2459The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2460C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2461lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2462purely used for performance.
2463
2464=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2465
2466This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2467L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2468advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2469
2470In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2471installed.
2472
2473=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2474
2475Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2476worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2477the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2478
2479=item L<Time::HiRes>
2480
2481This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2482chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2483pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2484try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
1455 2485
1456=back 2486=back
1457 2487
1458 2488
1459=head1 FORK 2489=head1 FORK
1461Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2491Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1462because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2492because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1463calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2493calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1464 2494
1465If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2495If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1466watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2496watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2497something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1467 2498
1468 2499
1469=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2500=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1470 2501
1471AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2502AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1476specified in the variable. 2507specified in the variable.
1477 2508
1478You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2509You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1479before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2510before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1480 2511
1481 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2512 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1482 2513
1483 use AnyEvent; 2514 use AnyEvent;
1484 2515
1485Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2516Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1486be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2517be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1487probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2518probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2519$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2520
2521Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2522C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2523enabled.
2524
2525
2526=head1 BUGS
2527
2528Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2529to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2530and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2531memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2532pronounced).
1488 2533
1489 2534
1490=head1 SEE ALSO 2535=head1 SEE ALSO
2536
2537Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1491 2538
1492Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2539Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1493L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2540L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1494 2541
1495Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2542Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1496L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2543L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1497L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2544L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1498L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2545L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1499 2546
2547Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2548servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2549
2550Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2551
1500Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2552Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2553L<Coro::Event>,
1501 2554
1502Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 2555Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2556L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1503 2557
1504 2558
1505=head1 AUTHOR 2559=head1 AUTHOR
1506 2560
1507 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2561 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1508 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2562 http://home.schmorp.de/
1509 2563
1510=cut 2564=cut
1511 2565
15121 25661
1513 2567

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines