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 1.118 by root, Sun May 11 18:08:36 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.289 by root, Tue Sep 1 16:44:58 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
409Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 669Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
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, passing the
412is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 672condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
413callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 673>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
674be called without any arguments.
414 675
415Let's clarify this with the ping example: 676You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
677sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
678condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
679
680Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
681STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
682close before activating a condvar:
416 683
417 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 684 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
418 685
686 $cv->begin; # first watcher
687 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
688 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
689 or $cv->end;
690 });
691
692 $cv->begin; # second watcher
693 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
694 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
695 or $cv->end;
696 });
697
698 $cv->recv;
699
700This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
701one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
702sending.
703
704The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
705there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
706begung can potentially be zero:
707
708 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
709
419 my %result; 710 my %result;
420 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 711 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
421 712
422 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 713 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
423 $cv->begin; 714 $cv->begin;
424 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 715 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
425 $result{$host} = ...; 716 $result{$host} = ...;
440loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 731loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
441to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 732to 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 733C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
443doesn't execute once). 734doesn't execute once).
444 735
445This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 736This 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> 737potentially 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 738the 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>. 739subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
740call C<end>.
449 741
450=back 742=back
451 743
452=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 744=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
453 745
469function will call C<croak>. 761function will call C<croak>.
470 762
471In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 763In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
472in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 764in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
473 765
766Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
767event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
768>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
769condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
770L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
771any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
772
474Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 773Not 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 774(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 775using 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 776caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
478condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 777condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
479callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 778callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
480while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 779while 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).
492 780
493You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 781You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
494only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 782only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
495time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 783time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
496waits otherwise. 784waits otherwise.
498=item $bool = $cv->ready 786=item $bool = $cv->ready
499 787
500Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 788Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
501C<croak> have been called. 789C<croak> have been called.
502 790
503=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 791=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
504 792
505This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 793This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
506replaces it before doing so. 794replaces it before doing so.
507 795
508The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 796The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
509C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 797"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
798the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
510or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 799inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
511 800
512=back 801=back
513 802
803=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
804
805The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
806
807=over 4
808
809=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
810
811EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
812use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
813pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
814AnyEvent itself.
815
816 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
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::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
828 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
829 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
830 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
831 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
832 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
833
834=item Backends with special needs.
835
836Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
837otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
838instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
839everything should just work.
840
841 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
842
843Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
844architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
845is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
846it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
847L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
848
849 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
850
851=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
852
853Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
854
855There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
856
857B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
858use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
859polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
860consider for AnyEvent.
861
862B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
863backend, so it can be supported through POE.
864
865AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
866load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
867in which case everything will be automatic.
868
869=back
870
514=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 871=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
515 872
873These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
874write AnyEvent extension modules.
875
516=over 4 876=over 4
517 877
518=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 878=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
519 879
520Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 880Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
881backend has been autodetected.
882
521contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 883Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
522Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 884name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
523C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 885of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
524AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 886case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
525 887will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
526The known classes so far are:
527
528 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
529 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
530 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
531 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
532 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
533 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
534 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
535 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
536
537There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
538watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
539POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
540second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
541AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
542it's adaptor.
543
544AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
545autodetecting them.
546 888
547=item AnyEvent::detect 889=item AnyEvent::detect
548 890
549Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 891Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
550if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 892if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
551have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 893have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
552runtime. 894runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
895
896If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
897created, use C<post_detect>.
553 898
554=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 899=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
555 900
556Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 901Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
557autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 902autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
558 903
904The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
905(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
906created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
907other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
908L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
909
910The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
911event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
912and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
913avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
914
559If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 915If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
560that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 916that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
917C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
561L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 918a case where this is useful.
919
920Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
921C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
922
923 our WATCHER;
924
925 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
926 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
927 };
928
929 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
930 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
931 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
932 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
933
934 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
562 935
563=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 936=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
564 937
565If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 938If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
566before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 939before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
567the event loop has been chosen. 940the event loop has been chosen.
568 941
569You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 942You 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, 943if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
571and the array will be ignored. 944array will be ignored.
572 945
573Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 946Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
947it,as it takes care of these details.
948
949This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
950when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
951not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
952into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
574 953
575=back 954=back
576 955
577=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 956=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
578 957
601 980
602If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 981If 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 982do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
604decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 983decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
605 984
606If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 985If 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 986Gtk2 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 987event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
609speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 988speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
610modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 989modules 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 990decide 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. 991might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
613 992
614You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 993You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
615loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 994C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
616behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 995everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
996
997=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
998
999Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
1000only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
1001
1002In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
1003
1004 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
1005
1006This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
1007
1008Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
1009it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
1010variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
1011exit cleanly.
1012
617 1013
618=head1 OTHER MODULES 1014=head1 OTHER MODULES
619 1015
620The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1016The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
621AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1017AnyEvent 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 1018modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
623available via CPAN. 1019come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
624 1020
625=over 4 1021=over 4
626 1022
627=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1023=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
628 1024
629Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1025Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
630functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1026functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
631 1027
1028=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
1029
1030Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
1031addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
1032connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
1033
632=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1034=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
633 1035
634Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes. 1036Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1037supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1038non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1039
1040=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
1041
1042Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1043
1044=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1045
1046A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1047HTTP requests.
635 1048
636=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1049=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
637 1050
638Provides a simple web application server framework. 1051Provides a simple web application server framework.
639 1052
640=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
641
642Provides asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities, beyond what
643L<AnyEvent::Util> offers.
644
645=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1053=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
646 1054
647The fastest ping in the west. 1055The fastest ping in the west.
648 1056
1057=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1058
1059Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1060
1061=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1062
1063Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1064programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1065together.
1066
1067=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1068
1069Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1070L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1071
1072=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1073
1074A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1075
649=item L<Net::IRC3> 1076=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
650 1077
651AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1078AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
652 1079
653=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1080=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
654 1081
655AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1082AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1083Net::XMPP2>.
1084
1085=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1086
1087A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1088L<App::IGS>).
656 1089
657=item L<Net::FCP> 1090=item L<Net::FCP>
658 1091
659AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1092AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
660of AnyEvent. 1093of AnyEvent.
665 1098
666=item L<Coro> 1099=item L<Coro>
667 1100
668Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1101Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
669 1102
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 1103=back
686 1104
687=cut 1105=cut
688 1106
689package AnyEvent; 1107package AnyEvent;
690 1108
691no warnings; 1109# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
692use strict; 1110sub common_sense {
1111 # from common:.sense 1.0
1112 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\xf3\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x03";
1113 # use strict vars subs
1114 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1115}
693 1116
1117BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1118
694use Carp; 1119use Carp ();
695 1120
696our $VERSION = '3.41'; 1121our $VERSION = '5.112';
697our $MODEL; 1122our $MODEL;
698 1123
699our $AUTOLOAD; 1124our $AUTOLOAD;
700our @ISA; 1125our @ISA;
701 1126
702our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
703
704our @REGISTRY; 1127our @REGISTRY;
705 1128
1129our $WIN32;
1130
1131our $VERBOSE;
1132
1133BEGIN {
1134 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
1135 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
1136
1137 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1138 if ${^TAINT};
1139
1140 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1141
1142}
1143
1144our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1145
1146our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1147
1148{
1149 my $idx;
1150 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1151 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1152 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1153}
1154
706my @models = ( 1155my @models = (
707 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1156 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 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
708 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1161 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1162 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1163 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1164 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
709 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1165 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1166 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1167 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
710 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1168 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
711 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1169 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
712 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1170 # 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 1171 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
714 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1172 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
715 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1173 # obvious default class.
716 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1174 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
717 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1175 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1176 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1177 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
718); 1178);
719 1179
720our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1180our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1181 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
721 1182
722our @post_detect; 1183our @post_detect;
723 1184
724sub post_detect(&) { 1185sub post_detect(&) {
725 my ($cb) = @_; 1186 my ($cb) = @_;
726 1187
727 if ($MODEL) { 1188 if ($MODEL) {
728 $cb->(); 1189 $cb->();
729 1190
730 1 1191 undef
731 } else { 1192 } else {
732 push @post_detect, $cb; 1193 push @post_detect, $cb;
733 1194
734 defined wantarray 1195 defined wantarray
735 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::Guard" 1196 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
736 : () 1197 : ()
737 } 1198 }
738} 1199}
739 1200
740sub AnyEvent::Util::Guard::DESTROY { 1201sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
741 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1202 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
742} 1203}
743 1204
744sub detect() { 1205sub detect() {
745 unless ($MODEL) { 1206 unless ($MODEL) {
746 no strict 'refs'; 1207 local $SIG{__DIE__};
747 1208
748 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1209 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
749 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1210 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
750 if (eval "require $model") { 1211 if (eval "require $model") {
751 $MODEL = $model; 1212 $MODEL = $model;
752 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1213 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
753 } else { 1214 } else {
754 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1215 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
755 } 1216 }
756 } 1217 }
757 1218
758 # check for already loaded models 1219 # check for already loaded models
759 unless ($MODEL) { 1220 unless ($MODEL) {
760 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1221 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
761 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1222 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
762 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1223 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
763 if (eval "require $model") { 1224 if (eval "require $model") {
764 $MODEL = $model; 1225 $MODEL = $model;
765 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1226 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
766 last; 1227 last;
767 } 1228 }
768 } 1229 }
769 } 1230 }
770 1231
771 unless ($MODEL) { 1232 unless ($MODEL) {
772 # try to load a model 1233 # try to autoload a model
773
774 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1234 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
775 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1235 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1236 if (
1237 $autoload
776 if (eval "require $package" 1238 and eval "require $package"
777 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1239 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
778 and eval "require $model") { 1240 and eval "require $model"
1241 ) {
779 $MODEL = $model; 1242 $MODEL = $model;
780 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1243 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
781 last; 1244 last;
782 } 1245 }
783 } 1246 }
784 1247
785 $MODEL 1248 $MODEL
786 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1249 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
787 } 1250 }
788 } 1251 }
789 1252
1253 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1254
790 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1255 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
791 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1256
1257 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
792 1258
793 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1259 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
794 } 1260 }
795 1261
796 $MODEL 1262 $MODEL
798 1264
799sub AUTOLOAD { 1265sub AUTOLOAD {
800 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1266 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
801 1267
802 $method{$func} 1268 $method{$func}
803 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1269 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
804 1270
805 detect unless $MODEL; 1271 detect unless $MODEL;
806 1272
807 my $class = shift; 1273 my $class = shift;
808 $class->$func (@_); 1274 $class->$func (@_);
809} 1275}
810 1276
1277# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1278# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1279# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1280sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1281 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1282
1283 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1284 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1285
1286 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1287 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1288
1289 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1290
1291 ($fh2, $rw)
1292}
1293
1294=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1295
1296Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1297simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1298overhead.
1299
1300See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1301
1302=cut
1303
1304package AE;
1305
1306our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1307
1308sub io($$$) {
1309 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1310}
1311
1312sub timer($$$) {
1313 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1314}
1315
1316sub signal($$) {
1317 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1318}
1319
1320sub child($$) {
1321 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1322}
1323
1324sub idle($) {
1325 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1326}
1327
1328sub cv(;&) {
1329 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1330}
1331
1332sub now() {
1333 AnyEvent->now
1334}
1335
1336sub now_update() {
1337 AnyEvent->now_update
1338}
1339
1340sub time() {
1341 AnyEvent->time
1342}
1343
811package AnyEvent::Base; 1344package AnyEvent::Base;
812 1345
1346# default implementations for many methods
1347
1348sub _time() {
1349 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1350 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1351 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1352 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1353 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1354 } else {
1355 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1356 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1357 }
1358
1359 &_time
1360}
1361
1362sub time { _time }
1363sub now { _time }
1364sub now_update { }
1365
813# default implementation for ->condvar 1366# default implementation for ->condvar
814 1367
815sub condvar { 1368sub condvar {
816 bless {}, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1369 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
817} 1370}
818 1371
819# default implementation for ->signal 1372# default implementation for ->signal
820 1373
821our %SIG_CB; 1374our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1375
1376sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1377 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1378 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1379 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1380
1381 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1382}
1383
1384our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1385our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1386our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1387
1388sub _signal_exec {
1389 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1390 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1391 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1392
1393 while (%SIG_EV) {
1394 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1395 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1396 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1397 }
1398 }
1399}
1400
1401# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1402sub _sig_add() {
1403 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1404 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1405 my $NOW = AE::now;
1406
1407 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1408 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1409 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1410 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1411 ;
1412 }
1413}
1414
1415sub _sig_del {
1416 undef $SIG_TW
1417 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1418}
1419
1420our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1421 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1422 undef $_sig_name_init;
1423
1424 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1425 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1426 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1427 } else {
1428 require Config;
1429
1430 my %signame2num;
1431 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1432 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1433
1434 my @signum2name;
1435 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1436
1437 *sig2num = sub($) {
1438 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1439 };
1440 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1441 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1442 };
1443 }
1444 };
1445 die if $@;
1446};
1447
1448sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1449sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
822 1450
823sub signal { 1451sub signal {
1452 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1453 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1454 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1455 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1456
1457 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1458 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1459
1460 } else {
1461 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1462
1463 require Fcntl;
1464
1465 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1466 require AnyEvent::Util;
1467
1468 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1469 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1470 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1471 } else {
1472 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1473 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1474 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1475
1476 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1477 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1478 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1479 }
1480
1481 $SIGPIPE_R
1482 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1483
1484 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1485 }
1486
1487 *signal = sub {
824 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1488 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
825 1489
826 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1490 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
827 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1491 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
828 1492
1493 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1494 # async::interrupt
1495
1496 $signal = sig2num $signal;
829 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1497 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1498
1499 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1500 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1501 signal => $signal,
1502 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1503 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1504 ;
1505
1506 } else {
1507 # pure perl
1508
1509 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1510 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1511 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1512
830 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1513 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
831 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1514 local $!;
1515 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1516 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1517 };
1518
1519 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1520 # so limit the signal latency.
1521 _sig_add;
1522 }
1523
1524 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1525 };
1526
1527 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1528 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1529
1530 _sig_del;
1531
1532 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1533
1534 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1535 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1536 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1537 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1538 # instead of getting the default action.
1539 undef $SIG{$signal}
1540 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1541 };
832 }; 1542 };
833 1543 die if $@;
834 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1544 &signal
835}
836
837sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
838 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
839
840 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
841
842 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
843} 1545}
844 1546
845# default implementation for ->child 1547# default implementation for ->child
846 1548
847our %PID_CB; 1549our %PID_CB;
848our $CHLD_W; 1550our $CHLD_W;
849our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1551our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
850our $PID_IDLE;
851our $WNOHANG; 1552our $WNOHANG;
852 1553
853sub _child_wait { 1554sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
854 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1555 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1556
1557 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
855 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1558 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
856 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1559 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
857 }
858
859 undef $PID_IDLE;
860} 1560}
861 1561
862sub _sigchld { 1562sub _sigchld {
863 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1563 my $pid;
864 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1564
865 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1565 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
866 &_child_wait; 1566 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
867 });
868} 1567}
869 1568
870sub child { 1569sub child {
871 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1570 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
872 1571
873 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1572 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
874 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1573 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
875 1574
876 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1575 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
877 1576
878 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1577 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
879 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1578 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
880 } 1579 ? 1
1580 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
881 1581
882 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1582 unless ($CHLD_W) {
883 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1583 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
884 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1584 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
885 &_sigchld; 1585 &_sigchld;
886 } 1586 }
887 1587
888 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1588 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
889} 1589}
890 1590
891sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1591sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
892 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1592 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
893 1593
894 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1594 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
895 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1595 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
896 1596
897 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1597 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
898} 1598}
899 1599
1600# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1601# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1602# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1603sub idle {
1604 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1605
1606 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1607
1608 $rcb = sub {
1609 if ($cb) {
1610 $w = _time;
1611 &$cb;
1612 $w = _time - $w;
1613
1614 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1615 # within some limits
1616 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1617 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1618
1619 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1620 } else {
1621 # clean up...
1622 undef $w;
1623 undef $rcb;
1624 }
1625 };
1626
1627 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1628
1629 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1630}
1631
1632sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1633 undef $${$_[0]};
1634}
1635
900package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1636package AnyEvent::CondVar;
901 1637
902our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1638our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
903 1639
904package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1640package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1641
1642#use overload
1643# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1644# fallback => 1;
1645
1646# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1647${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1648*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1649*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1650${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1651
1652our $WAITING;
905 1653
906sub _send { 1654sub _send {
907 # nop 1655 # nop
908} 1656}
909 1657
922sub ready { 1670sub ready {
923 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1671 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
924} 1672}
925 1673
926sub _wait { 1674sub _wait {
1675 $WAITING
1676 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1677 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1678
1679 local $WAITING = 1;
927 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1680 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
928} 1681}
929 1682
930sub recv { 1683sub recv {
931 $_[0]->_wait; 1684 $_[0]->_wait;
933 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1686 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
934 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1687 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
935} 1688}
936 1689
937sub cb { 1690sub cb {
938 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1691 my $cv = shift;
1692
1693 @_
1694 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1695 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1696 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1697
939 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1698 $cv->{_ae_cb}
940} 1699}
941 1700
942sub begin { 1701sub begin {
943 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1702 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
944 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1703 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
945} 1704}
946 1705
947sub end { 1706sub end {
948 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1707 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
949 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} } if $_[0]{_ae_end_cb}; 1708 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
950} 1709}
951 1710
952# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1711# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
953*broadcast = \&send; 1712*broadcast = \&send;
954*wait = \&_wait; 1713*wait = \&_wait;
1714
1715=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1716
1717In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1718caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1719the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1720checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1721development.
1722
1723As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1724executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1725also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1726program.
1727
1728The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1729within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1730$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1731so on.
1732
1733=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1734
1735The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1736submodules.
1737
1738Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1739C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1740enabled.
1741
1742=over 4
1743
1744=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1745
1746By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1747conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1748talkative.
1749
1750When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1751conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1752C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1753
1754When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1755model it chooses.
1756
1757When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1758which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1759
1760=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1761
1762AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1763argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1764will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1765check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1766it will croak.
1767
1768In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1769
1770Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1771>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1772C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1773can be very useful, however.
1774
1775=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1776
1777This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1778auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1779entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1780and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1781used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1782auto detection and -probing.
1783
1784This functionality might change in future versions.
1785
1786For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1787could start your program like this:
1788
1789 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1790
1791=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1792
1793Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1794for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1795of auto probing).
1796
1797Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1798current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1799used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1800list.
1801
1802This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1803against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1804small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1805
1806Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1807but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1808- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1809addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1810IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1811
1812=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1813
1814Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1815for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1816some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1817default.
1818
1819Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1820EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1821
1822=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1823
1824The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1825will create in parallel.
1826
1827=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1828
1829The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1830resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1831sent to the DNS server.
1832
1833=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1834
1835The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1836configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1837default config will be used.
1838
1839=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1840
1841When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1842L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1843variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1844instead of a system-dependent default.
1845
1846=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1847
1848When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1849loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1850
1851=back
955 1852
956=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1853=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
957 1854
958This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1855This 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 1856a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
993 1890
994I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1891I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
995condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1892condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
996C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1893C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
997not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1894not 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 1895
1036=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1896=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1037 1897
1038The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1898The 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 1899to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1052 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1912 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1053 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1913 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1054 }, 1914 },
1055 ); 1915 );
1056 1916
1057 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1058
1059 sub new_timer {
1060 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1917 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1061 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1918 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1062 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1063 }); 1919 });
1064 }
1065
1066 new_timer; # create first timer
1067 1920
1068 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1921 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1069 1922
1070=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1923=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1071 1924
1123 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1976 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
1124 or die "connection or write error"; 1977 or die "connection or write error";
1125 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1978 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
1126 1979
1127Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1980Again, 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: 1981result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
1129 1982
1130 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1983 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
1131 1984
1132 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1985 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
1133 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1986 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
1141 1994
1142 $txn->{finished}->recv; 1995 $txn->{finished}->recv;
1143 return $txn->{result}; 1996 return $txn->{result};
1144 1997
1145The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1998The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1146that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1999that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1147whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2000whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1148and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2001and 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 2002problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
1150random callback. 2003random callback.
1151 2004
1197of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 2050of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
1198 2051
1199=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 2052=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
1200 2053
1201Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 2054Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
1202through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2055through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1203timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2056timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1204which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2057which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1205 2058
1206Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2059Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1207distribution. 2060distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2061for the EV and Perl backends only.
1208 2062
1209=head3 Explanation of the columns 2063=head3 Explanation of the columns
1210 2064
1211I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2065I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1212different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2066different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1233watcher. 2087watcher.
1234 2088
1235=head3 Results 2089=head3 Results
1236 2090
1237 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2091 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1238 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2092 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1239 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2093 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1240 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2094 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1241 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2095 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1242 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2096 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1243 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2097 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2098 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2099 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1244 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2100 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1245 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2101 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1246 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2102 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1247 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2103 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1248 2104
1249=head3 Discussion 2105=head3 Discussion
1250 2106
1251The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2107The 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) 2108well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1264benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2120benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1265EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2121EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1266cycles with POE. 2122cycles with POE.
1267 2123
1268C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2124C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1269maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2125maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2126overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2127slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1270far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2128any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1271natively.
1272 2129
1273The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2130The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1274constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2131constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1275interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2132interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1276adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2133adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1277performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2134performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1278them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2135them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1279 2136
1280The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2137The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1281cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2138cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2139
2140C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2141when using its pure perl backend.
1282 2142
1283C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2143C<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 2144faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1285C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2145C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1286watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2146watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1330 2190
1331=back 2191=back
1332 2192
1333=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 2193=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1334 2194
1335This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 2195This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1336creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 2196creating 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 2197timeout 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 2198watcher 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". 2199watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1340 2200
1341The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 2201The 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 2202are 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 2203fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1344timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 2204timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1345most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 2205most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1346 2206
1347In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2207In 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 2208(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1349connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2209connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1350 2210
1351Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2211Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1352distribution. 2212distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2213for the EV and Perl backends only.
1353 2214
1354=head3 Explanation of the columns 2215=head3 Explanation of the columns
1355 2216
1356I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2217I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1357each server has a read and write socket end). 2218each server has a read and write socket end).
1358 2219
1359I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 2220I<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. 2221nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1361 2222
1362I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 2223I<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 2224single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1364it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2225it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1365a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2226a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1366 2227
1367=head3 Results 2228=head3 Results
1368 2229
1369 name sockets create request 2230 name sockets create request
1370 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2231 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1371 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2232 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1372 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2233 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1373 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2234 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2235 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2236 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1374 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2237 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1375 2238
1376=head3 Discussion 2239=head3 Discussion
1377 2240
1378This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2241This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1379particular event loop. 2242particular event loop.
1381EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2244EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1382is relatively high, though. 2245is relatively high, though.
1383 2246
1384Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2247Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1385loops Event and Glib. 2248loops Event and Glib.
2249
2250IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2251good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1386 2252
1387Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2253Event 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 2254understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1389the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2255the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1390uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2256uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1437speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 2303speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1438them). 2304them).
1439 2305
1440EV is again fastest. 2306EV is again fastest.
1441 2307
1442Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 2308Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1443loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 2309loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1444matter. 2310matter.
1445 2311
1446POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 2312POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1447others. 2313others.
1450 2316
1451=over 4 2317=over 4
1452 2318
1453=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2319=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1454watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2320watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
2321
2322=back
2323
2324=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2325
2326Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2327could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2328simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2329shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2330fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2331very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2332baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2333
2334The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2335connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2336creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2337test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2338benchmark nevertheless.
2339
2340 name runtime
2341 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2342 + optimized 0.122 sec
2343 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2344 + optimized 0.138 sec
2345 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2346 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2347 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2348 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2349
2350 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2351 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2352 +state machine 0.134 sec
2353
2354The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2355benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2356defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2357written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2358AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2359resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2360generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2361connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2362
2363The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2364offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2365Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2366non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2367
2368As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2369hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2370backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2371
2372And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2373slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2374higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2375it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2376
2377The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2378F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2379part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2380
2381
2382=head1 SIGNALS
2383
2384AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2385
2386=over 4
2387
2388=item SIGCHLD
2389
2390A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2391emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2392event loops install a similar handler.
2393
2394Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2395AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2396
2397=item SIGPIPE
2398
2399A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2400when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2401
2402The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2403on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2404badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2405program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2406some random socket.
2407
2408The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2409that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2410
2411Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2412
2413=back
2414
2415=cut
2416
2417undef $SIG{CHLD}
2418 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2419
2420$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2421 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2422
2423=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2424
2425One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2426it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2427
2428That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2429modules if they are installed.
2430
2431This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2432affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2433
2434=over 4
2435
2436=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2437
2438This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2439my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2440signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2441delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2442catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2443C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2444
2445If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2446catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2447will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2448battery life on laptops).
2449
2450This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2451that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2452
2453Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2454and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2455(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2456does nothing for those backends.
2457
2458=item L<EV>
2459
2460This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2461event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2462loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2463the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2464automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2465can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2466C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2467L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2468
2469=item L<Guard>
2470
2471The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2472C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2473lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2474purely used for performance.
2475
2476=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2477
2478This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2479L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2480advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2481
2482In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2483installed.
2484
2485=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2486
2487Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2488worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2489the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2490
2491=item L<Time::HiRes>
2492
2493This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2494chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2495pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2496try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
1455 2497
1456=back 2498=back
1457 2499
1458 2500
1459=head1 FORK 2501=head1 FORK
1461Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2503Most 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> 2504because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1463calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2505calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1464 2506
1465If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2507If 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. 2508watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2509something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1467 2510
1468 2511
1469=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2512=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1470 2513
1471AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2514AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1476specified in the variable. 2519specified in the variable.
1477 2520
1478You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2521You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1479before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2522before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1480 2523
1481 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2524 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1482 2525
1483 use AnyEvent; 2526 use AnyEvent;
1484 2527
1485Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2528Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1486be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2529be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1487probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2530probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2531$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2532
2533Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2534C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2535enabled.
2536
2537
2538=head1 BUGS
2539
2540Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2541to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2542and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2543memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2544pronounced).
1488 2545
1489 2546
1490=head1 SEE ALSO 2547=head1 SEE ALSO
2548
2549Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1491 2550
1492Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2551Event 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>. 2552L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1494 2553
1495Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2554Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1496L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2555L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1497L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2556L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1498L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2557L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1499 2558
2559Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2560servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2561
2562Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2563
1500Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2564Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2565L<Coro::Event>,
1501 2566
1502Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 2567Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2568L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1503 2569
1504 2570
1505=head1 AUTHOR 2571=head1 AUTHOR
1506 2572
1507 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2573 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1508 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2574 http://home.schmorp.de/
1509 2575
1510=cut 2576=cut
1511 2577
15121 25781
1513 2579

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines