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1=head1 => NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt,
6FLTK and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
21
22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
24
25 # POSIX signal
26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
27
28 # child process exit
29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 31 ...
13 }); 32 });
14 33
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 36
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
41 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
42
43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
44
45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 58
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 60
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 63
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 64Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 65policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 66
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 67First 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 68interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 69pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 70the 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 71only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 72cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
73loops.
37 74
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 75The 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 76programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 77religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 79model you use.
43 80
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 82actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 87
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 90with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 91uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
59 96
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 102technically possible.
66 103
104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
106non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
107such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
108platform bugs and differences.
109
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 110Now, 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 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 113
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 115
73L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
74allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
75users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
76peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
77 120
78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
79module. 122module.
80 123
81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
83following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Loop>,
84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Loop> should always work, so
88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
89found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
90very efficient, but should work everywhere.
91 132
92Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
93an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
94that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
95 136
97 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
98 139
99 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
100 141
101The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
104 146
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called C<AnyEvent::Loop>. Like
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148other event modules you can load it explicitly and enjoy the high
107explicitly. 149availability of that event loop :)
108 150
109=head1 WATCHERS 151=head1 WATCHERS
110 152
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 153AnyEvent 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 154stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 157These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 158creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 160is in control).
119 161
162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
166widely between event loops.
167
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 170to it).
123 171
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
125 173
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 176
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 178
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
134 }); 182 });
135 183
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 184Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 186declared.
139 187
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 198
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
200for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
201handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
202non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
203most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
204or block devices.
205
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 206C<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, 207watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
208
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 209C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 210
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 211Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 212presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 213callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 214
155The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
156You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
157underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
158 218
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 221handles.
162 222
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
224watcher.
225
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 226 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 227 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 228 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
170 }); 230 });
171 231
172=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
173 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
174You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
175method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
176 244
177C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
178supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
180 248
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 252
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
188 258
189Example: 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
261only approximate.
190 262
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
264
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 266 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 267 });
195 268
196 # to cancel the timer: 269 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 270 undef $w;
198 271
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 272Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 273
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 274 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
275 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 276 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 277
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 278=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 279
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 280There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 281in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
217 283
218While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
219use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
220"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
221the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
222fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
223 289
224AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
225about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
226on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
227timers. 293timers.
228 294
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
231 297
298AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
299
300=over 4
301
302=item AnyEvent->time
303
304This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
305seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
306return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
307
308It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
309will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
310
311=item AnyEvent->now
312
313This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
314this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
315the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
316time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
317
318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
320
321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
324
325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
327
328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
330
331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
335after three seconds.
336
337With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
338both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
339be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
340
341With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
342time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
343last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
344to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
345
346In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
347regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
348callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
349higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
350
351In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
352the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
353
354In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
355can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
357account.
358
359=item AnyEvent->now_update
360
361Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Loop>) cache the current
362time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<< AnyEvent->now >>,
363above).
364
365When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
366this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
367might affect timers and time-outs.
368
369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
370event loop's idea of "current time".
371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
380
381=back
382
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
386
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 390
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 391Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 392presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 393callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 394
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 399
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
249 403
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
252 407
253Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
254 409
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 454
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 456using 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 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 459(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 460
461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
463callback arguments.
464
465This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
466and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
467random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
468C<system>, is just fine).
267 469
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 470There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
269I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 471I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 472have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 473
272Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 474Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
475see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
273event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 476that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
274loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 477the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
478pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
479start the watcher.
275 480
276This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which case the latency and race
488problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
279 489
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 491
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 493
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 494 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 495
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 496 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 497 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 498 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 499 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 500 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 501 $done->send;
292 }, 502 },
293 ); 503 );
294 504
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
507
508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
509
510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
511
512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
514
515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
527
528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
529program is otherwise idle:
530
531 my @lines; # read data
532 my $idle_w;
533 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
534 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
535
536 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
537 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
538 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
539 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
540 print "handled when idle: $line";
541 } else {
542 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
543 undef $idle_w;
544 }
545 });
546 });
297 547
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
299 554
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 558
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 561
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 566
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
571the results).
314 572
315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback). 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
576->send >> method).
318 577
319Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
320optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
321in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
322another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
323used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
324a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
325 601
326Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
327for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
328then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
329availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
342 618
343Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
344used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
345easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
346AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
347it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
348 624
349There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
350eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
351for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
352 628
353Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
354 630
355 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
356 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
357 633
358 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
359 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
360 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
361 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
362 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
363 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
364 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
365 ); 641 );
366 642
367 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
368 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
369 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
370 646
371Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
372condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
373 649
374 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
375 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
376 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
653
654Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
655callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
656the main program:
657
658 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
659
660 ...
661
662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
663
664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
665results are available:
666
667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
669 });
377 670
378=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 671=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
379 672
380These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 673These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
381code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 674code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
394immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
395 688
396Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
397future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
398 691
399Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as a 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
400code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling C<send>. 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
694C<send>.
401 695
402=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
403 697
404Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
405C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
406 700
407This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
408user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
409 707
410=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
411 709
412=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
413
414These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
415 711
416These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
417one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
418to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
419 715
420Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
421C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
422>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
423is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
424callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
425 722
426Let's clarify this with the ping example: 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
726
727Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
728STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
729close before activating a condvar:
427 730
428 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
429 732
733 $cv->begin; # first watcher
734 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
735 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
736 or $cv->end;
737 });
738
739 $cv->begin; # second watcher
740 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
741 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
742 or $cv->end;
743 });
744
745 $cv->recv;
746
747This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
749sending.
750
751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
753begun can potentially be zero:
754
755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
756
430 my %result; 757 my %result;
431 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
432 759
433 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
434 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
435 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
436 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
451loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
452to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
453C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
454doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
455 782
456This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
457use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
458is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
459C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
787call C<end>.
460 788
461=back 789=back
462 790
463=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
464 792
468=over 4 796=over 4
469 797
470=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
471 799
472Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
473>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
474normally. 802normally.
475 803
476You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
477will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
478 806
480function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
481 809
482In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
483in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
484 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
485Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
486(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
487using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
488caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
489condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
490callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
491while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
492 827
493Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
494sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
495multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
496can supply.
497
498The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
499fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
500versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
501C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
502coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
503
504You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
505only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
506time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
507waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
508 832
509=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
510 834
511Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 835Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
512C<croak> have been called. 836C<croak> have been called.
513 837
514=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 838=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
515 839
516This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
517replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
518 842
519The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
520C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
521or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
522 848
523=back 849=back
524 850
851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
852
853The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
854
855=over 4
856
857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
858
859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
862AnyEvent itself.
863
864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl AnyEvent::Loop, fast and portable.
866
867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
868
869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
882 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop.
883 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding).
884
885=item Backends with special needs.
886
887Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
888otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
889instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
890everything should just work.
891
892 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
893
894=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
895
896Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
897
898There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
899
900B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
901use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
902polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
903consider for AnyEvent.
904
905B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
906backend, so it can be supported through POE.
907
908AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
909load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
910in which case everything will be automatic.
911
912=back
913
525=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 914=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
526 915
916These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
917write AnyEvent extension modules.
918
527=over 4 919=over 4
528 920
529=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 921=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
530 922
531Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 923Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
924backend has been autodetected.
925
532contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 926Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
533Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 927name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
534C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 928of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
535AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 929case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
536 930will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
537The known classes so far are:
538
539 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
540 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
541 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
542 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
543 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
544 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
545 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
546 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
547
548There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
549watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
550POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
551second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
552AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
553it's adaptor.
554
555AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
556autodetecting them.
557 931
558=item AnyEvent::detect 932=item AnyEvent::detect
559 933
560Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 934Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
561if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 935if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
562have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 936have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
563runtime. 937runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
938
939The effect of calling this function is as if a watcher had been created
940(specifically, actions that happen "when the first watcher is created"
941happen when calling detetc as well).
942
943If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
944created, use C<post_detect>.
564 945
565=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 946=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
566 947
567Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 948Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
568autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 949autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
950
951The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
952(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
953created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
954other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
955L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
956
957The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
958event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
959and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
960avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
569 961
570If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 962If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
571that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 963that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
964C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
572L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 965a case where this is useful.
966
967Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
968C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
969
970 our WATCHER;
971
972 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
973 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
974 };
975
976 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
977 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
978 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
979 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
980
981 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
573 982
574=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 983=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
575 984
576If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 985If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
577before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 986before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
578the event loop has been chosen. 987after the event loop has been chosen.
579 988
580You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 989You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
581if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 990if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
582and the array will be ignored. 991array will be ignored.
583 992
584Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 993Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
994it, as it takes care of these details.
995
996This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
997when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
998not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
999into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
1000
1001Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1002together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1003Coro to accomplish this):
1004
1005 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1006 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1007 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1008 } else {
1009 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1010 # as soon as it is
1011 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1012 }
1013
1014=item AnyEvent::postpone { BLOCK }
1015
1016Arranges for the block to be executed as soon as possible, but not before
1017the call itself returns. In practise, the block will be executed just
1018before the event loop polls for new events, or shortly afterwards.
1019
1020This function never returns anything (to make the C<return postpone { ...
1021}> idiom more useful.
1022
1023To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function that
1024asynchronously does something for you and returns some transaction
1025object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For example,
1026C<AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect>:
1027
1028 # start a conenction attempt unless one is active
1029 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
1030 delete $self->{connect_guard};
1031 ...
1032 };
1033
1034Imagine that this function could instantly call the callback, for
1035example, because it detects an obvious error such as a negative port
1036number. Invoking the callback before the function returns causes problems
1037however: the callback will be called and will try to delete the guard
1038object. But since the function hasn't returned yet, there is nothing to
1039delete. When the function eventually returns it will assign the guard
1040object to C<< $self->{connect_guard} >>, where it will likely never be
1041deleted, so the program thinks it is still trying to connect.
1042
1043This is where C<AnyEvent::postpone> should be used. Instead of calling the
1044callback directly on error:
1045
1046 $cb->(undef), return # signal error to callback, BAD!
1047 if $some_error_condition;
1048
1049It should use C<postpone>:
1050
1051 AnyEvent::postpone { $cb->(undef) }, return # signal error to callback, later
1052 if $some_error_condition;
1053
1054=item AnyEvent::log $level, $msg[, @args]
1055
1056Log the given C<$msg> at the given C<$level>.
1057
1058If L<AnyEvent::Log> is not loaded then this function makes a simple test
1059to see whether the message will be logged. If the test succeeds it will
1060load AnyEvent::Log and call C<AnyEvent::Log::log> - consequently, look at
1061the L<AnyEvent::Log> documentation for details.
1062
1063If the test fails it will simply return. Right now this happens when a
1064numerical loglevel is used and it is larger than the level specified via
1065C<$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}>.
1066
1067If you want to sprinkle loads of logging calls around your code, consider
1068creating a logger callback with the C<AnyEvent::Log::logger> function,
1069which can reduce typing, codesize and can reduce the logging overhead
1070enourmously.
585 1071
586=back 1072=back
587 1073
588=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1074=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
589 1075
600because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1086because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
601events is to stay interactive. 1087events is to stay interactive.
602 1088
603It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1089It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
604requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1090requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
605called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1091called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
606freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1092freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
607 1093
608=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1094=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
609 1095
610There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1096There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
611dictate which event model to use. 1097dictate which event model to use.
612 1098
613If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1099If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
614do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1100when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
615decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1101uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1102to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1103available loop implementation.
616 1104
617If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 1105If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
618Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 1106Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
619event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1107event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
620speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1108speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
621modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1109modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
622decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1110decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
623might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1111might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
624 1112
625You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 1113You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
626loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 1114C<AnyEvent::Loop> module, which gives you similar behaviour
627behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 1115everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
1116
1117=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
1118
1119Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
1120only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
1121
1122In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
1123
1124 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
1125
1126This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
1127
1128Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
1129it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
1130variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
1131exit cleanly.
1132
628 1133
629=head1 OTHER MODULES 1134=head1 OTHER MODULES
630 1135
631The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1136The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
632AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1137AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
633in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1138AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
634available via CPAN. 1139modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN (see
1140L<http://search.cpan.org/search?m=module&q=anyevent%3A%3A*> for
1141a longer non-exhaustive list), and the list is heavily biased towards
1142modules of the AnyEvent author himself :)
635 1143
636=over 4 1144=over 4
637 1145
638=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1146=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
639 1147
640Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1148Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
641functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1149functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
642
643=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
644
645Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
646 1150
647=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1151=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
648 1152
649Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1153Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
650addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1154addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
651connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1155connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
652 1156
1157=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1158
1159Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1160supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1161non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
1162
1163=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
1164
1165Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1166
1167=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1168
1169Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1170the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1171Client Protocol).
1172
1173=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1174
1175Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1176toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1177L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1178file I/O, and much more.
1179
1180=item L<AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify>
1181
1182AnyEvent is good for non-blocking stuff, but it can't detect file or
1183path changes (e.g. "watch this directory for new files", "watch this
1184file for changes"). The L<AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify> module promises to
1185do just that in a portbale fashion, supporting inotify on GNU/Linux and
1186some weird, without doubt broken, stuff on OS X to monitor files. It can
1187fall back to blocking scans at regular intervals transparently on other
1188platforms, so it's about as portable as it gets.
1189
1190(I haven't used it myself, but I haven't heard anybody complaining about
1191it yet).
1192
1193=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1194
1195Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1196notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1197
653=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1198=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
654 1199
655Provides a simple web application server framework. 1200A simple embedded webserver.
656
657=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
658
659Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
660 1201
661=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1202=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
662 1203
663The fastest ping in the west. 1204The fastest ping in the west.
664 1205
665=item L<Net::IRC3>
666
667AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
668
669=item L<Net::XMPP2>
670
671AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
672
673=item L<Net::FCP>
674
675AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
676of AnyEvent.
677
678=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
679
680High level API for event-based execution flow control.
681
682=item L<Coro> 1206=item L<Coro>
683 1207
684Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1208Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you
1209to simply invert the flow control - don't call us, we will call you:
685 1210
686=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO> 1211 async {
1212 Coro::AnyEvent::sleep 5; # creates a 5s timer and waits for it
1213 print "5 seconds later!\n";
687 1214
688Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event 1215 Coro::AnyEvent::readable *STDIN; # uses an I/O watcher
689programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent 1216 my $line = <STDIN>; # works for ttys
690together.
691 1217
692=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB> 1218 AnyEvent::HTTP::http_get "url", Coro::rouse_cb;
693 1219 my ($body, $hdr) = Coro::rouse_wait;
694Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses 1220 };
695IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
696
697=item L<IO::Lambda>
698
699The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
700 1221
701=back 1222=back
702 1223
703=cut 1224=cut
704 1225
705package AnyEvent; 1226package AnyEvent;
706 1227
707no warnings; 1228# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
708use strict; 1229sub common_sense {
1230 # from common:.sense 3.4
1231 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf0\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1232 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1233 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1234}
709 1235
1236BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1237
710use Carp; 1238use Carp ();
711 1239
712our $VERSION = '4.03'; 1240our $VERSION = '6.02';
713our $MODEL; 1241our $MODEL;
714
715our $AUTOLOAD;
716our @ISA; 1242our @ISA;
717
718our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
719
720our @REGISTRY; 1243our @REGISTRY;
1244our $VERBOSE;
1245our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1246our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
721 1247
722our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2) 1248BEGIN {
1249 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
723 1250
724{ 1251 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1252
1253 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1254 if ${^TAINT};
1255
1256 $ENV{"PERL_ANYEVENT_$_"} = $ENV{"AE_$_"}
1257 for grep s/^AE_// && !exists $ENV{"PERL_ANYEVENT_$_"}, keys %ENV;
1258
1259 @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} = ()
1260 if ${^TAINT};
1261
1262 # $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_xxx} now valid
1263
1264 $VERBOSE = length $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE} ? $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1 : 4;
1265
725 my $idx; 1266 my $idx;
726 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1267 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1268 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
727 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1269 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
728} 1270}
729 1271
1272our @post_detect;
1273
1274sub post_detect(&) {
1275 my ($cb) = @_;
1276
1277 push @post_detect, $cb;
1278
1279 defined wantarray
1280 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1281 : ()
1282}
1283
1284sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1285 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1286}
1287
1288our $POSTPONE_W;
1289our @POSTPONE;
1290
1291sub _postpone_exec {
1292 undef $POSTPONE_W;
1293
1294 &{ shift @POSTPONE }
1295 while @POSTPONE;
1296}
1297
1298sub postpone(&) {
1299 push @POSTPONE, shift;
1300
1301 $POSTPONE_W ||= AE::timer (0, 0, \&_postpone_exec);
1302
1303 ()
1304}
1305
1306sub log($$;@) {
1307 # only load the big bloated module when we actually are about to log something
1308 if ($_[0] <= ($VERBOSE || 1)) { # also catches non-numeric levels(!) and fatal
1309 require AnyEvent::Log; # among other things, sets $VERBOSE to 9
1310 # AnyEvent::Log overwrites this function
1311 goto &log;
1312 }
1313
1314 0 # not logged
1315}
1316
1317sub logger($;$) {
1318 package AnyEvent::Log;
1319
1320 my ($level, $renabled) = @_;
1321
1322 $$renabled = $level <= $VERBOSE;
1323
1324 my $pkg = (caller)[0];
1325
1326 my $logger = [$pkg, $level, $renabled];
1327
1328 our %LOGGER;
1329 $LOGGER{$logger+0} = $logger;
1330
1331 require AnyEvent::Util;
1332 my $guard = AnyEvent::Util::guard (sub {
1333 # "clean up"
1334 delete $LOGGER{$logger+0};
1335 });
1336
1337 sub {
1338 return 0 unless $$renabled;
1339
1340 $guard if 0; # keep guard alive, but don't cause runtime overhead
1341 require AnyEvent::Log unless $AnyEvent::Log::VERSION;
1342 package AnyEvent::Log;
1343 _log ($logger->[0], $level, @_) # logger->[0] has been converted at load time
1344 }
1345}
1346
1347if (length $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG}) {
1348 require AnyEvent::Log; # AnyEvent::Log does the thing for us
1349}
1350
730my @models = ( 1351our @models = (
731 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1352 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
1353 [AnyEvent::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
1354 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1355 # as the pure perl backend should work everywhere
1356 # and is usually faster
1357 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package, so msut be near the top
732 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1358 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], # slow, stable
1359 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1360 # everything below here should not be autoloaded
1361 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
733 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1362 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1363 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1364 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
734 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1365 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
735 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1366 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
736 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1367 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # a bitch to autodetect
737 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1368 [Cocoa::EventLoop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa::],
738 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1369 [FLTK:: => AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK::],
739 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
740 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
741 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
742); 1370);
743 1371
744our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1372our @isa_hook;
745 1373
746our @post_detect; 1374sub _isa_set {
1375 my @pkg = ("AnyEvent", (map $_->[0], grep defined, @isa_hook), $MODEL);
747 1376
1377 @{"$pkg[$_-1]::ISA"} = $pkg[$_]
1378 for 1 .. $#pkg;
1379
1380 grep $_ && $_->[1], @isa_hook
1381 and AE::_reset ();
1382}
1383
1384# used for hooking AnyEvent::Strict and AnyEvent::Debug::Wrap into the class hierarchy
1385sub _isa_hook($$;$) {
1386 my ($i, $pkg, $reset_ae) = @_;
1387
1388 $isa_hook[$i] = $pkg ? [$pkg, $reset_ae] : undef;
1389
1390 _isa_set;
1391}
1392
1393# all autoloaded methods reserve the complete glob, not just the method slot.
1394# due to bugs in perls method cache implementation.
1395our @methods = qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar);
1396
748sub post_detect(&) { 1397sub detect() {
749 my ($cb) = @_; 1398 return $MODEL if $MODEL; # some programs keep references to detect
750 1399
751 if ($MODEL) { 1400 # IO::Async::Loop::AnyEvent is extremely evil, refuse to work with it
752 $cb->(); 1401 # the author knows about the problems and what it does to AnyEvent as a whole
1402 # (and the ability of others to use AnyEvent), but simply wants to abuse AnyEvent
1403 # anyway.
1404 AnyEvent::log fatal => "AnyEvent: IO::Async::Loop::AnyEvent detected - this module is broken by design,\n"
1405 . "abuses internals and breaks AnyEvent, will not continue."
1406 if exists $INC{"IO/Async/Loop/AnyEvent.pm"};
753 1407
754 1 1408 local $!; # for good measure
1409 local $SIG{__DIE__}; # we use eval
1410
1411 # free some memory
1412 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1413 # undef &func doesn't correctly update the method cache. grmbl.
1414 # so we delete the whole glob. grmbl.
1415 # otoh, perl doesn't let me undef an active usb, but it lets me free
1416 # a glob with an active sub. hrm. i hope it works, but perl is
1417 # usually buggy in this department. sigh.
1418 delete @{"AnyEvent::"}{@methods};
1419 undef @methods;
1420
1421 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z0-9:]+)$/) {
1422 my $model = $1;
1423 $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$model" unless $model =~ s/::$//;
1424 if (eval "require $model") {
1425 AnyEvent::log 7 => "loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.";
1426 $MODEL = $model;
755 } else { 1427 } else {
756 push @post_detect, $cb; 1428 AnyEvent::log 4 => "unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@";
757 1429 }
758 defined wantarray
759 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect"
760 : ()
761 } 1430 }
762}
763 1431
764sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1432 # check for already loaded models
765 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
766}
767
768sub detect() {
769 unless ($MODEL) { 1433 unless ($MODEL) {
770 no strict 'refs'; 1434 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
771 1435 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
772 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1436 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
773 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
774 if (eval "require $model") { 1437 if (eval "require $model") {
1438 AnyEvent::log 7 => "autodetected model '$model', using it.";
775 $MODEL = $model; 1439 $MODEL = $model;
776 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1440 last;
777 } else { 1441 }
778 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose;
779 } 1442 }
780 } 1443 }
781 1444
782 # check for already loaded models
783 unless ($MODEL) { 1445 unless ($MODEL) {
1446 # try to autoload a model
784 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1447 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
785 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1448 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1449 if (
1450 eval "require $package"
786 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1451 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
787 if (eval "require $model") { 1452 and eval "require $model"
1453 ) {
1454 AnyEvent::log 7 => "autoloaded model '$model', using it.";
788 $MODEL = $model; 1455 $MODEL = $model;
789 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
790 last; 1456 last;
791 }
792 } 1457 }
793 } 1458 }
794 1459
795 unless ($MODEL) { 1460 $MODEL
796 # try to load a model 1461 or AnyEvent::log fatal => "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?";
1462 }
1463 }
797 1464
798 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1465 # free memory only needed for probing
799 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1466 undef @models;
800 if (eval "require $package" 1467 undef @REGISTRY;
801 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1468
802 and eval "require $model") { 1469 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
803 $MODEL = $model; 1470
804 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1471 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1472 # SUPER usage is not allowed in these.
1473 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1474 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1475 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1476 }
1477
1478 _isa_set;
1479
1480 # we're officially open!
1481
1482 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1483 require AnyEvent::Strict;
1484 }
1485
1486 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP}) {
1487 require AnyEvent::Debug;
1488 AnyEvent::Debug::wrap ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP});
1489 }
1490
1491 if (length $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL}) {
1492 require AnyEvent::Socket;
1493 require AnyEvent::Debug;
1494
1495 my $shell = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL};
1496 $shell =~ s/\$\$/$$/g;
1497
1498 my ($host, $service) = AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport ($shell);
1499 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL = AnyEvent::Debug::shell ($host, $service);
1500 }
1501
1502 # now the anyevent environment is set up as the user told us to, so
1503 # call the actual user code - post detects
1504
1505 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1506 undef @post_detect;
1507
1508 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1509 shift->();
1510
1511 undef
1512 };
1513
1514 $MODEL
1515}
1516
1517for my $name (@methods) {
1518 *$name = sub {
1519 detect;
1520 # we use goto because
1521 # a) it makes the thunk more transparent
1522 # b) it allows us to delete the thunk later
1523 goto &{ UNIVERSAL::can AnyEvent => "SUPER::$name" }
1524 };
1525}
1526
1527# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1528# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1529# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1530sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1531 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1532
1533 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1534 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1535
1536 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1537 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1538
1539 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1540
1541 ($fh2, $rw)
1542}
1543
1544=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1545
1546Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1547simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1548overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1549
1550See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1551
1552=cut
1553
1554package AE;
1555
1556our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1557
1558sub _reset() {
1559 eval q{
1560 # fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1561 # implementations can overwrite these.
1562
1563 sub io($$$) {
1564 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1565 }
1566
1567 sub timer($$$) {
1568 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1569 }
1570
1571 sub signal($$) {
1572 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1573 }
1574
1575 sub child($$) {
1576 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1577 }
1578
1579 sub idle($) {
1580 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0]);
1581 }
1582
1583 sub cv(;&) {
1584 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1585 }
1586
1587 sub now() {
1588 AnyEvent->now
1589 }
1590
1591 sub now_update() {
1592 AnyEvent->now_update
1593 }
1594
1595 sub time() {
1596 AnyEvent->time
1597 }
1598
1599 *postpone = \&AnyEvent::postpone;
1600 *log = \&AnyEvent::log;
1601 };
1602 die if $@;
1603}
1604
1605BEGIN { _reset }
1606
1607package AnyEvent::Base;
1608
1609# default implementations for many methods
1610
1611sub time {
1612 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1613 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1614 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1615 *time = sub { Time::HiRes::time () };
1616 *AE::time = \& Time::HiRes::time ;
1617 *now = \&time;
1618 AnyEvent::log 8 => "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.";
1619 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1620 } else {
1621 *time = sub { CORE::time };
1622 *AE::time = sub (){ CORE::time };
1623 *now = \&time;
1624 AnyEvent::log 3 => "using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!";
1625 }
1626 };
1627 die if $@;
1628
1629 &time
1630}
1631
1632*now = \&time;
1633sub now_update { }
1634
1635sub _poll {
1636 Carp::croak "$AnyEvent::MODEL does not support blocking waits. Caught";
1637}
1638
1639# default implementation for ->condvar
1640# in fact, the default should not be overwritten
1641
1642sub condvar {
1643 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1644 *condvar = sub {
1645 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1646 };
1647
1648 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1649 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1650 };
1651 };
1652 die if $@;
1653
1654 &condvar
1655}
1656
1657# default implementation for ->signal
1658
1659our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1660
1661sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1662 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1663 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1664 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1665
1666 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1667}
1668
1669our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1670our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1671our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1672
1673# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1674# used by Impls
1675sub _sig_add() {
1676 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1677 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1678 my $NOW = AE::now;
1679
1680 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1681 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1682 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1683 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1684 ;
1685 }
1686}
1687
1688sub _sig_del {
1689 undef $SIG_TW
1690 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1691}
1692
1693our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1694 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1695 undef $_sig_name_init;
1696
1697 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1698 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1699 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1700 } else {
1701 require Config;
1702
1703 my %signame2num;
1704 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1705 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1706
1707 my @signum2name;
1708 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1709
1710 *sig2num = sub($) {
1711 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1712 };
1713 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1714 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1715 };
1716 }
1717 };
1718 die if $@;
1719};
1720
1721sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1722sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1723
1724sub signal {
1725 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1726 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1727 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1728 AnyEvent::log 8 => "using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.";
1729
1730 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1731 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1732
1733 } else {
1734 AnyEvent::log 8 => "using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.";
1735
1736 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1737 require AnyEvent::Util;
1738
1739 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1740 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1741 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1742 } else {
1743 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1744 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1745 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1746
1747 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1748 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1749 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1750 }
1751
1752 $SIGPIPE_R
1753 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1754
1755 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1756 }
1757
1758 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1759 ? sub {
1760 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1761
1762 # async::interrupt
1763 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1764 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1765
1766 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1767 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1768 signal => $signal,
1769 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1770 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1771 ;
1772
1773 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1774 }
1775 : sub {
1776 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1777
1778 # pure perl
1779 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1780 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1781
1782 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
805 last; 1783 local $!;
1784 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1785 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
806 } 1786 };
1787
1788 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1789 # so limit the signal latency.
1790 _sig_add;
1791
1792 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1793 }
1794 ;
1795
1796 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1797 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1798
1799 _sig_del;
1800
1801 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1802
1803 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1804 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1805 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1806 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1807 # instead of getting the default action.
1808 undef $SIG{$signal}
1809 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1810 };
1811
1812 *_signal_exec = sub {
1813 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1814 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1815 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1816
1817 while (%SIG_EV) {
1818 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1819 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1820 &$_ for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
807 } 1821 }
808
809 $MODEL
810 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.";
811 } 1822 }
812 } 1823 };
813
814 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
815 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
816
817 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
818 }
819
820 $MODEL
821}
822
823sub AUTOLOAD {
824 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
825
826 $method{$func}
827 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
828
829 detect unless $MODEL;
830
831 my $class = shift;
832 $class->$func (@_);
833}
834
835package AnyEvent::Base;
836
837# default implementation for ->condvar
838
839sub condvar {
840 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
841}
842
843# default implementation for ->signal
844
845our %SIG_CB;
846
847sub signal {
848 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
849
850 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
851 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
852
853 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
854 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
855 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} };
856 }; 1824 };
1825 die if $@;
857 1826
858 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1827 &signal
859}
860
861sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
862 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
863
864 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
865
866 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
867} 1828}
868 1829
869# default implementation for ->child 1830# default implementation for ->child
870 1831
871our %PID_CB; 1832our %PID_CB;
872our $CHLD_W; 1833our $CHLD_W;
873our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1834our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
874our $PID_IDLE;
875our $WNOHANG;
876 1835
877sub _child_wait { 1836# used by many Impl's
878 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1837sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1838 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1839
1840 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
879 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1841 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
880 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1842 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
881 }
882
883 undef $PID_IDLE;
884}
885
886sub _sigchld {
887 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
888 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
889 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
890 &_child_wait;
891 });
892} 1843}
893 1844
894sub child { 1845sub child {
1846 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1847 *_sigchld = sub {
1848 my $pid;
1849
1850 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1851 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1852 };
1853
1854 *child = sub {
895 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1855 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
896 1856
897 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1857 my $pid = $arg{pid};
898 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1858 my $cb = $arg{cb};
899 1859
900 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1860 $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb+0} = $cb;
901 1861
902 unless ($WNOHANG) {
903 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
904 }
905
906 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1862 unless ($CHLD_W) {
907 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1863 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
908 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1864 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
909 &_sigchld; 1865 &_sigchld;
910 } 1866 }
911 1867
912 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1868 bless [$pid, $cb+0], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
913} 1869 };
914 1870
915sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1871 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
916 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1872 my ($pid, $icb) = @{$_[0]};
917 1873
918 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1874 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$icb};
919 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1875 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
920 1876
921 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1877 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1878 };
1879 };
1880 die if $@;
1881
1882 &child
1883}
1884
1885# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1886# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1887# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1888sub idle {
1889 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1890 *idle = sub {
1891 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1892
1893 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1894
1895 $rcb = sub {
1896 if ($cb) {
1897 $w = AE::time;
1898 &$cb;
1899 $w = AE::time - $w;
1900
1901 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1902 # within some limits
1903 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1904 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1905
1906 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1907 } else {
1908 # clean up...
1909 undef $w;
1910 undef $rcb;
1911 }
1912 };
1913
1914 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1915
1916 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1917 };
1918
1919 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1920 undef $${$_[0]};
1921 };
1922 };
1923 die if $@;
1924
1925 &idle
922} 1926}
923 1927
924package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1928package AnyEvent::CondVar;
925 1929
926our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1930our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
927 1931
1932# only to be used for subclassing
1933sub new {
1934 my $class = shift;
1935 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1936}
1937
928package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1938package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
929 1939
930use overload 1940#use overload
931 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1941# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
932 fallback => 1; 1942# fallback => 1;
1943
1944# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1945${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1946*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1947*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1948${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1949
1950our $WAITING;
933 1951
934sub _send { 1952sub _send {
935 # nop 1953 # nop
1954}
1955
1956sub _wait {
1957 AnyEvent->_poll until $_[0]{_ae_sent};
936} 1958}
937 1959
938sub send { 1960sub send {
939 my $cv = shift; 1961 my $cv = shift;
940 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_]; 1962 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
949 1971
950sub ready { 1972sub ready {
951 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1973 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
952} 1974}
953 1975
954sub _wait {
955 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
956}
957
958sub recv { 1976sub recv {
1977 unless ($_[0]{_ae_sent}) {
1978 $WAITING
1979 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait attempted";
1980
1981 local $WAITING = 1;
959 $_[0]->_wait; 1982 $_[0]->_wait;
1983 }
960 1984
961 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1985 $_[0]{_ae_croak}
962 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1986 and Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1987
1988 wantarray
1989 ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} }
1990 : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
963} 1991}
964 1992
965sub cb { 1993sub cb {
966 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1994 my $cv = shift;
1995
1996 @_
1997 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1998 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1999 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
2000
967 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 2001 $cv->{_ae_cb}
968} 2002}
969 2003
970sub begin { 2004sub begin {
971 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 2005 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
972 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 2006 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
977 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } }; 2011 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
978} 2012}
979 2013
980# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 2014# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
981*broadcast = \&send; 2015*broadcast = \&send;
982*wait = \&_wait; 2016*wait = \&recv;
2017
2018=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
2019
2020In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
2021caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
2022the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
2023checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
2024development.
2025
2026As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
2027executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
2028also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
2029program.
2030
2031The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
2032within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
2033$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
2034so on.
2035
2036=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
2037
2038AnyEvent supports a number of environment variables that tune the
2039runtime behaviour. They are usually evaluated when AnyEvent is
2040loaded, initialised, or a submodule that uses them is loaded. Many of
2041them also cause AnyEvent to load additional modules - for example,
2042C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP> causes the L<AnyEvent::Debug> module to be
2043loaded.
2044
2045All the environment variables documented here start with
2046C<PERL_ANYEVENT_>, which is what AnyEvent considers its own
2047namespace. Other modules are encouraged (but by no means required) to use
2048C<PERL_ANYEVENT_SUBMODULE> if they have registered the AnyEvent::Submodule
2049namespace on CPAN, for any submodule. For example, L<AnyEvent::HTTP> could
2050be expected to use C<PERL_ANYEVENT_HTTP_PROXY> (it should not access env
2051variables starting with C<AE_>, see below).
2052
2053All variables can also be set via the C<AE_> prefix, that is, instead
2054of setting C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> you can also set C<AE_VERBOSE>. In
2055case there is a clash btween anyevent and another program that uses
2056C<AE_something> you can set the corresponding C<PERL_ANYEVENT_something>
2057variable to the empty string, as those variables take precedence.
2058
2059When AnyEvent is first loaded, it copies all C<AE_xxx> env variables
2060to their C<PERL_ANYEVENT_xxx> counterpart unless that variable already
2061exists. If taint mode is on, then AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment
2062variables starting with C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> (or replace them
2063with C<undef> or the empty string, if the corresaponding C<AE_> variable
2064is set).
2065
2066The exact algorithm is currently:
2067
2068 1. if taint mode enabled, delete all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables from %ENV
2069 2. copy over AE_xyz to PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz unless the latter alraedy exists
2070 3. if taint mode enabled, set all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables to undef.
2071
2072This ensures that child processes will not see the C<AE_> variables.
2073
2074The following environment variables are currently known to AnyEvent:
2075
2076=over 4
2077
2078=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
2079
2080By default, AnyEvent will only log messages with loglevel C<3>
2081(C<critical>) or higher (see L<AnyEvent::Log>). You can set this
2082environment variable to a numerical loglevel to make AnyEvent more (or
2083less) talkative.
2084
2085If you want to do more than just set the global logging level
2086you should have a look at C<PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG>, which allows much more
2087complex specifications.
2088
2089When set to C<0> (C<off>), then no messages whatsoever will be logged with
2090the default logging settings.
2091
2092When set to C<5> or higher (C<warn>), causes AnyEvent to warn about
2093unexpected conditions, such as not being able to load the event model
2094specified by C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>, or a guard callback throwing an
2095exception - this is the minimum recommended level.
2096
2097When set to C<7> or higher (info), cause AnyEvent to report which event model it
2098chooses.
2099
2100When set to C<8> or higher (debug), then AnyEvent will report extra information on
2101which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
2102
2103=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG>
2104
2105Accepts rather complex logging specifications. For example, you could log
2106all C<debug> messages of some module to stderr, warnings and above to
2107stderr, and errors and above to syslog, with:
2108
2109 PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG=Some::Module=debug,+log:filter=warn,+%syslog:%syslog=error,syslog
2110
2111For the rather extensive details, see L<AnyEvent::Log>.
2112
2113This variable is evaluated when AnyEvent (or L<AnyEvent::Log>) is loaded,
2114so will take effect even before AnyEvent has initialised itself.
2115
2116Note that specifying this environment variable causes the L<AnyEvent::Log>
2117module to be loaded, while C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> does not, so only
2118using the latter saves a few hundred kB of memory until the first message
2119is being logged.
2120
2121=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
2122
2123AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
2124argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
2125will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
2126check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
2127it will croak.
2128
2129In other words, enables "strict" mode.
2130
2131Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
2132>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
2133C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
2134can be very useful, however.
2135
2136=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL>
2137
2138If this env variable is nonempty, then its contents will be interpreted by
2139C<AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport> and C<AnyEvent::Debug::shell> (after
2140replacing every occurance of C<$$> by the process pid). The shell object
2141is saved in C<$AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL>.
2142
2143This happens when the first watcher is created.
2144
2145For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in
2146F<< /tmp/debug<pid>.sock >>, you could use this:
2147
2148 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog
2149 # connect with e.g.: socat readline /tmp/debug123.sock
2150
2151Or to bind to tcp port 4545 on localhost:
2152
2153 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=127.0.0.1:4545 perlprog
2154 # connect with e.g.: telnet localhost 4545
2155
2156Note that creating sockets in F</tmp> or on localhost is very unsafe on
2157multiuser systems.
2158
2159=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP>
2160
2161Can be set to C<0>, C<1> or C<2> and enables wrapping of all watchers for
2162debugging purposes. See C<AnyEvent::Debug::wrap> for details.
2163
2164=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
2165
2166This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
2167auto detection and -probing kicks in.
2168
2169It normally is a string consisting entirely of ASCII letters (e.g. C<EV>
2170or C<IOAsync>). The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended and the
2171resulting module name is loaded and - if the load was successful - used as
2172event model backend. If it fails to load then AnyEvent will proceed with
2173auto detection and -probing.
2174
2175If the string ends with C<::> instead (e.g. C<AnyEvent::Impl::EV::>) then
2176nothing gets prepended and the module name is used as-is (hint: C<::> at
2177the end of a string designates a module name and quotes it appropriately).
2178
2179For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Loop::Perl>) you
2180could start your program like this:
2181
2182 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
2183
2184=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
2185
2186Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
2187for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
2188of auto probing).
2189
2190Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
2191current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
2192used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
2193list.
2194
2195This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
2196against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
2197small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
2198
2199Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
2200but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
2201- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
2202addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
2203IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
2204
2205=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_HOSTS>
2206
2207This variable, if specified, overrides the F</etc/hosts> file used by
2208L<AnyEvent::Socket>C<::resolve_sockaddr>, i.e. hosts aliases will be read
2209from that file instead.
2210
2211=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
2212
2213Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension for
2214DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, especially
2215when DNSSEC is involved, but some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS
2216packets, which is why it is off by default.
2217
2218Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
2219EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
2220
2221=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
2222
2223The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
2224will create in parallel.
2225
2226=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
2227
2228The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
2229resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
2230sent to the DNS server.
2231
2232=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
2233
2234The absolute path to a F<resolv.conf>-style file to use instead of
2235F</etc/resolv.conf> (or the OS-specific configuration) in the default
2236resolver, or the empty string to select the default configuration.
2237
2238=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
2239
2240When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
2241L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
2242variables are nonempty, they will be used to specify CA certificate
2243locations instead of a system-dependent default.
2244
2245=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
2246
2247When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
2248loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
2249
2250=back
983 2251
984=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 2252=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
985 2253
986This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 2254This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
987a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 2255a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1021 2289
1022I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 2290I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1023condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 2291condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1024C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 2292C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1025not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 2293not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1026
1027=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1028
1029The following environment variables are used by this module:
1030
1031=over 4
1032
1033=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1034
1035By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1036conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1037talkative.
1038
1039When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1040conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1041C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1042
1043When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1044model it chooses.
1045
1046=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1047
1048This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1049auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1050entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1051and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1052used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1053auto detection and -probing.
1054
1055This functionality might change in future versions.
1056
1057For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1058could start your program like this:
1059
1060 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1061
1062=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1063
1064Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1065for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1066of auto probing).
1067
1068Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1069current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1070used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1071list.
1072
1073This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1074against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1075small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1076
1077Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1078but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1079- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1080addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1081IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1082
1083=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1084
1085Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1086for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1087some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1088default.
1089
1090Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1091EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1092
1093=back
1094 2294
1095=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 2295=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1096 2296
1097The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 2297The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1098to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 2298to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1111 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2311 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1112 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2312 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1113 }, 2313 },
1114 ); 2314 );
1115 2315
1116 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1117
1118 sub new_timer {
1119 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2316 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1120 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2317 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1121 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1122 }); 2318 });
1123 }
1124
1125 new_timer; # create first timer
1126 2319
1127 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2320 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1128 2321
1129=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2322=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1130 2323
1203 2396
1204The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2397The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1205that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2398that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1206whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2399whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1207and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2400and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1208problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2401problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1209random callback. 2402random callback.
1210 2403
1211All of this enables the following usage styles: 2404All of this enables the following usage styles:
1212 2405
12131. Blocking: 24061. Blocking:
1261through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2454through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1262timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2455timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1263which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2456which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1264 2457
1265Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2458Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1266distribution. 2459distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2460for the EV and Perl backends only.
1267 2461
1268=head3 Explanation of the columns 2462=head3 Explanation of the columns
1269 2463
1270I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2464I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1271different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2465different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1292watcher. 2486watcher.
1293 2487
1294=head3 Results 2488=head3 Results
1295 2489
1296 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2490 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1297 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2491 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1298 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2492 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1299 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2493 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1300 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2494 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1301 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2495 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1302 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2496 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2497 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2498 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1303 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2499 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1304 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2500 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1305 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2501 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1306 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2502 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1307 2503
1308=head3 Discussion 2504=head3 Discussion
1309 2505
1310The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2506The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1311well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2507well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1323benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2519benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1324EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2520EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1325cycles with POE. 2521cycles with POE.
1326 2522
1327C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2523C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1328maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2524maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2525overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2526slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1329far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2527any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1330natively.
1331 2528
1332The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2529The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1333constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2530constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1334interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2531interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1335adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2532adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1336performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2533performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1337them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2534them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1338 2535
1339The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2536The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1340cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2537cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2538
2539C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2540when using its pure perl backend.
1341 2541
1342C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2542C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1343faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2543faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1344C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2544C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1345watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2545watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1380(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable 2580(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable
1381performance with or without AnyEvent. 2581performance with or without AnyEvent.
1382 2582
1383=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of 2583=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of
1384the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV 2584the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV
1385adds AnyEvent significant overhead. 2585does AnyEvent add significant overhead.
1386 2586
1387=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or 2587=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or
1388reasonable memory usage. 2588reasonable memory usage.
1389 2589
1390=back 2590=back
1406In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2606In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1407(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2607(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1408connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2608connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1409 2609
1410Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2610Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1411distribution. 2611distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2612for the EV and Perl backends only.
1412 2613
1413=head3 Explanation of the columns 2614=head3 Explanation of the columns
1414 2615
1415I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2616I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1416each server has a read and write socket end). 2617each server has a read and write socket end).
1423it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2624it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1424a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2625a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1425 2626
1426=head3 Results 2627=head3 Results
1427 2628
1428 name sockets create request 2629 name sockets create request
1429 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2630 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1430 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2631 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1431 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2632 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1432 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2633 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2634 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2635 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1433 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2636 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1434 2637
1435=head3 Discussion 2638=head3 Discussion
1436 2639
1437This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2640This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1438particular event loop. 2641particular event loop.
1440EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2643EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1441is relatively high, though. 2644is relatively high, though.
1442 2645
1443Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2646Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1444loops Event and Glib. 2647loops Event and Glib.
2648
2649IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2650good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1445 2651
1446Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2652Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1447understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2653understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1448the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2654the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1449uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2655uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1512=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2718=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1513watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2719watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1514 2720
1515=back 2721=back
1516 2722
2723=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2724
2725Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2726could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2727simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2728shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2729fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2730very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2731baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2732
2733The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2734connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2735creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2736test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2737benchmark nevertheless.
2738
2739 name runtime
2740 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2741 + optimized 0.122 sec
2742 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2743 + optimized 0.138 sec
2744 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2745 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2746 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2747 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2748
2749 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2750 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2751 +state machine 0.134 sec
2752
2753The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2754benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2755defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2756written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2757AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2758resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2759generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2760connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2761
2762The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2763offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2764Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2765non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2766
2767As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2768hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2769backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2770
2771And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2772slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2773higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2774it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2775
2776The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2777F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2778part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2779
2780
2781=head1 SIGNALS
2782
2783AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2784
2785=over 4
2786
2787=item SIGCHLD
2788
2789A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2790emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2791event loops install a similar handler.
2792
2793Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2794AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2795
2796=item SIGPIPE
2797
2798A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2799when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2800
2801The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2802on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2803badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2804program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2805some random socket.
2806
2807The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2808that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2809
2810Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2811
2812=back
2813
2814=cut
2815
2816undef $SIG{CHLD}
2817 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2818
2819$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2820 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2821
2822=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2823
2824One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2825its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2826
2827That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2828modules if they are installed.
2829
2830This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2831affect AnyEvent's operation.
2832
2833=over 4
2834
2835=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2836
2837This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2838my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2839signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2840delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2841catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2842C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2843
2844If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2845catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2846will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2847battery life on laptops).
2848
2849This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2850that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2851
2852Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2853and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2854(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2855does nothing for those backends.
2856
2857=item L<EV>
2858
2859This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2860event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2861loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2862the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2863automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2864can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2865C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2866L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2867
2868If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2869then this module will do nothing for you.
2870
2871=item L<Guard>
2872
2873The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2874C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2875lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2876purely used for performance.
2877
2878=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2879
2880One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2881via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2882advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2883
2884=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2885
2886Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2887worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2888the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2889
2890=item L<Time::HiRes>
2891
2892This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2893chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2894pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Loop>) will additionally load it to
2895try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2896
2897=back
2898
1517 2899
1518=head1 FORK 2900=head1 FORK
1519 2901
1520Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2902Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1521because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2903because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1522calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2904- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2905are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2906one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2907continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2908what you are doing).
2909
2910This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2911the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2912usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2913is loaded).
1523 2914
1524If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2915If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1525watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2916watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2917something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2918
2919The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2920is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2921fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2922watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2923parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2924to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2925preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2926to have another binary.
1526 2927
1527 2928
1528=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2929=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1529 2930
1530AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2931AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1535specified in the variable. 2936specified in the variable.
1536 2937
1537You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2938You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1538before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2939before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1539 2940
1540 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2941 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1541 2942
1542 use AnyEvent; 2943 use AnyEvent;
1543 2944
1544Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2945Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1545be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2946be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1546probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2947probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2948$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2949
2950Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2951C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2952enabled.
2953
2954
2955=head1 BUGS
2956
2957Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2958to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2959and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2960memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2961pronounced).
1547 2962
1548 2963
1549=head1 SEE ALSO 2964=head1 SEE ALSO
1550 2965
1551Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2966Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
1552 2967
1553Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2968FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
1554L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2969
2970Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util> (misc. grab-bag), L<AnyEvent::Log>
2971(simply logging).
2972
2973Development/Debugging: L<AnyEvent::Strict> (stricter checking),
2974L<AnyEvent::Debug> (interactive shell, watcher tracing).
2975
2976Supported event modules: L<AnyEvent::Loop>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>,
2977L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>,
2978L<Qt>, L<POE>, L<FLTK>.
1555 2979
1556Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2980Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1557L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2981L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1558L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2982L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
2983L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>,
1559L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2984L<AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK>.
1560 2985
1561Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2986Non-blocking handles, pipes, stream sockets, TCP clients and
1562servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2987servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1563 2988
1564Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2989Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1565 2990
1566Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2991Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
1567 2992
1568Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2993Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2994L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1569 2995
1570 2996
1571=head1 AUTHOR 2997=head1 AUTHOR
1572 2998
1573 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2999 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1574 http://home.schmorp.de/ 3000 http://home.schmorp.de/
1575 3001
1576=cut 3002=cut
1577 3003
15781 30041
1579 3005

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