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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
21
22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
24
25 # POSIX signal
26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
27
28 # child process exit
29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 31 ...
13 }); 32 });
14 33
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 36
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
41 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
22 42
23=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
24 44
25This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
26in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
27L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
28 48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
52channel, too.
53
54See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
55Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
56
29=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 57=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
30 58
31Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 59Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
32nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 60nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
33 61
34Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 62Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
35policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 63policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
36 64
37First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 65First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
38interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 66interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
39pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 67pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
40the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 68the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
41only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 69only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
42helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 70cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
71loops.
43 72
44The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 73The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
45programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 74programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
46religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 75religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
47module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 76module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
48model you use. 77model you use.
49 78
50For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 79For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
51actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 80actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
52like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 81like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
53cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 82cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
54isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 83that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
55I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 84module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
56 85
57AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 86AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
58fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 87fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
59with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 88with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
60your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 89your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
61too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 90too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
62event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 91event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
63as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 92use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
64event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 93to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
65 94
66In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 95In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
67model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 96model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
68modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 97modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
69follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 98follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
127These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 156These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
128creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 157creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
129callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 158callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
130is in control). 159is in control).
131 160
161Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
162potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
163callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
164Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
165widely between event loops.
166
132To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 167To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
133variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 168variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
134to it). 169to it).
135 170
136All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 171All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
149my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 184my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
150declared. 185declared.
151 186
152=head2 I/O WATCHERS 187=head2 I/O WATCHERS
153 188
189 $w = AnyEvent->io (
190 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
191 poll => <"r" or "w">,
192 cb => <callback>,
193 );
194
154You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 195You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
155with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 196with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
156 197
157C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 198C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
199for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
200handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
201non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
202most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
203or block devices.
204
158for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 205C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
159which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 206watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
207
160respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 208C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
161becomes ready.
162 209
163Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 210Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
164presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 211presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
165callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 212callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
166 213
170 217
171Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 218Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
172always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 219always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
173handles. 220handles.
174 221
175Example:
176
177 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 222Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
223watcher.
224
178 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 225 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
179 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 226 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
180 warn "read: $input\n"; 227 warn "read: $input\n";
181 undef $w; 228 undef $w;
182 }); 229 });
183 230
184=head2 TIME WATCHERS 231=head2 TIME WATCHERS
185 232
233 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
234
235 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
236 after => <fractional_seconds>,
237 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
238 cb => <callback>,
239 );
240
186You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 241You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
187method with the following mandatory arguments: 242method with the following mandatory arguments:
188 243
189C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 244C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
190supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 245supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
192 247
193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 248Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 249presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 250callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
196 251
197The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 252The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
198timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 253parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
199and Glib). 254callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
255seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
256false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
200 257
201Example: 258The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
259attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
260only approximate.
202 261
203 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 262Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
263
204 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 264 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
205 warn "timeout\n"; 265 warn "timeout\n";
206 }); 266 });
207 267
208 # to cancel the timer: 268 # to cancel the timer:
209 undef $w; 269 undef $w;
210 270
211Example 2:
212
213 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 271Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
214 my $w;
215 272
216 my $cb = sub {
217 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
218 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 273 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
274 warn "timeout\n";
219 }; 275 };
220
221 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
222 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
223 276
224=head3 TIMING ISSUES 277=head3 TIMING ISSUES
225 278
226There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 279There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
227in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 280in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
300In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 353In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
301can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 354can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
302difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 355difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
303account. 356account.
304 357
358=item AnyEvent->now_update
359
360Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
361the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
362AnyEvent->now >>, above).
363
364When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
365this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
366might affect timers and time-outs.
367
368When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
369event loop's idea of "current time".
370
371A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
372when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
373idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
374script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
375AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
376(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
377
378Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
379
305=back 380=back
306 381
307=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 382=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
308 383
384 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
385
309You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 386You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
310I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 387I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
311be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 388callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
312 389
313Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 390Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
314presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 391presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
315callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 392callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
316 393
318invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 395invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
319that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 396that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
320but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 397but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
321 398
322The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 399The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
323between multiple watchers. 400between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
401interrupt your program at bad times.
324 402
325This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 403This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
326directly will likely not work correctly. 404so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
405correctly.
327 406
328Example: exit on SIGINT 407Example: exit on SIGINT
329 408
330 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 409 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
331 410
411=head3 Restart Behaviour
412
413While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
414not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
415pure perl implementation).
416
417=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
418
419Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
420"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
421latter might corrupt your memory.
422
423AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
424i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
425called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
426callbacks, too).
427
428=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
429
430Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
431callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
432do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
433this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
434signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
435specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
436variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
437and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
438AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
439will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
440saving.
441
442All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
443L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
444work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
445(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
446one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
447
332=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 448=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
333 449
450 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
451
334You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 452You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
335 453
336The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 454The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
337watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 455using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
338as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 456croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
339signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 457finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
340and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 458(stopped/continued).
341you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 459
460The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
461waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
462callback arguments.
463
464This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
465and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
466random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
467C<system>, is just fine).
342 468
343There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 469There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
344I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 470I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
345have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 471have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
346 472
347Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 473Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
474see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
348event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 475that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
349loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 476the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
477pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
478start the watcher.
350 479
351This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 480This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
352AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 481thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
353C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 482watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
483C<AnyEvent::detect>).
484
485As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
486emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
487mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
354 488
355Example: fork a process and wait for it 489Example: fork a process and wait for it
356 490
357 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 491 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
358 492
368 ); 502 );
369 503
370 # do something else, then wait for process exit 504 # do something else, then wait for process exit
371 $done->recv; 505 $done->recv;
372 506
507=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
508
509 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
510
511Repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle, until
512either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
513
514Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
515is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
516invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
517defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
518have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
519when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
520detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
521will be invoked.
522
523Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
524EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
525will simply call the callback "from time to time".
526
527Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
528program is otherwise idle:
529
530 my @lines; # read data
531 my $idle_w;
532 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
533 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
534
535 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
536 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
537 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
538 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
539 print "handled when idle: $line";
540 } else {
541 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
542 undef $idle_w;
543 }
544 });
545 });
546
373=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 547=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
548
549 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
550
551 $cv->send (<list>);
552 my @res = $cv->recv;
374 553
375If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 554If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
376require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 555require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
377will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 556will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
378 557
379AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 558AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
380will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 559loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
381 560
382The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 561The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
383because they represent a condition that must become true. 562because they represent a condition that must become true.
563
564Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
384 565
385Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 566Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
386>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 567>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
387C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 568C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
388becomes true. 569becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
570the results).
389 571
390After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 572After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
391by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 573by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
392were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 574were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
393->send >> method). 575->send >> method).
395Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 577Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
396optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 578optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
397in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 579in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
398another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 580another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
399used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 581used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
400a result. 582a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
583compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
401 584
402Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 585Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
403for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 586for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
404then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 587then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
405availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 588availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
426eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 609eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
427for the send to occur. 610for the send to occur.
428 611
429Example: wait for a timer. 612Example: wait for a timer.
430 613
431 # wait till the result is ready 614 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
432 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 615 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
433 616
434 # do something such as adding a timer 617 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
435 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 618 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
436 # when the "result" is ready. 619 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
437 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 620 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
438 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 621 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
439 after => 1, 622 after => 1,
440 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 623 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
441 ); 624 );
442 625
443 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 626 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
444 # calls send 627 # calls ->send
445 $result_ready->recv; 628 $timer_fired->recv;
446 629
447Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 630Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
448condition variables are also code references. 631variables are also callable directly.
449 632
450 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 633 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
451 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 634 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
452 $done->recv; 635 $done->recv;
636
637Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
638callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
639the main program:
640
641 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
642
643 ...
644
645 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
646
647And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
648results are available:
649
650 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
651 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
652 });
453 653
454=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 654=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
455 655
456These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 656These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
457code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 657code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
470immediately from within send. 670immediately from within send.
471 671
472Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 672Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
473future C<< ->recv >> calls. 673future C<< ->recv >> calls.
474 674
475Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 675Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
476(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 676they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
477C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 677C<send>.
478overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
479instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
480support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
481invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
482example).
483 678
484=item $cv->croak ($error) 679=item $cv->croak ($error)
485 680
486Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 681Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
487C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 682C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
488 683
489This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 684This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
490user/consumer. 685user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
686delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
687diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
688deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
689the problem.
491 690
492=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 691=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
493 692
494=item $cv->end 693=item $cv->end
495
496These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
497 694
498These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 695These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
499one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 696one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
500to use a condition variable for the whole process. 697to use a condition variable for the whole process.
501 698
502Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 699Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
503C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 700C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
504>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 701>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
505is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 702condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
506callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 703>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
704be called without any arguments.
507 705
508Let's clarify this with the ping example: 706You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
707sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
708condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
709
710Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
711STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
712close before activating a condvar:
509 713
510 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 714 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
511 715
716 $cv->begin; # first watcher
717 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
718 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
719 or $cv->end;
720 });
721
722 $cv->begin; # second watcher
723 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
724 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
725 or $cv->end;
726 });
727
728 $cv->recv;
729
730This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
731one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
732sending.
733
734The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
735there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
736begung can potentially be zero:
737
738 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
739
512 my %result; 740 my %result;
513 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 741 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
514 742
515 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 743 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
516 $cv->begin; 744 $cv->begin;
517 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 745 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
518 $result{$host} = ...; 746 $result{$host} = ...;
533loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 761loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
534to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 762to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
535C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 763C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
536doesn't execute once). 764doesn't execute once).
537 765
538This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 766This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
539use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 767potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
540is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 768the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
541C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 769subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
770call C<end>.
542 771
543=back 772=back
544 773
545=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 774=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
546 775
562function will call C<croak>. 791function will call C<croak>.
563 792
564In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 793In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
565in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 794in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
566 795
796Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
797event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
798>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
799condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
800L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
801any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
802
567Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 803Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
568(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 804(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
569using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 805using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
570caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 806caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
571condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 807condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
572callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 808callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
573while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 809while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
574 810
575Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
576sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
577multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
578can supply.
579
580The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
581fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
582versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
583C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
584coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
585
586You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 811You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
587only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 812only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
588time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 813time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
589waits otherwise. 814waits otherwise.
590 815
591=item $bool = $cv->ready 816=item $bool = $cv->ready
592 817
593Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 818Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
594C<croak> have been called. 819C<croak> have been called.
595 820
596=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 821=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
597 822
598This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 823This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
599replaces it before doing so. 824replaces it before doing so.
600 825
601The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 826The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
602C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 827"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
603variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 828the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
604is guaranteed not to block. 829inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
605 830
606=back 831=back
607 832
833=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
834
835The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
836
837=over 4
838
839=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
840
841EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
842use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
843pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
844AnyEvent itself.
845
846 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
847 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
848
849=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
850
851These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
852is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
853them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
854when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
855create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
856
857 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
858 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
859 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
860 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
861 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
862 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
863
864=item Backends with special needs.
865
866Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
867otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
868instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
869everything should just work.
870
871 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
872
873Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
874architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
875is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
876it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
877L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
878
879 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
880
881=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
882
883Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
884
885There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
886
887B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
888use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
889polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
890consider for AnyEvent.
891
892B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
893backend, so it can be supported through POE.
894
895AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
896load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
897in which case everything will be automatic.
898
899=back
900
608=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 901=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
609 902
903These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
904write AnyEvent extension modules.
905
610=over 4 906=over 4
611 907
612=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 908=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
613 909
614Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 910Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
911backend has been autodetected.
912
615contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 913Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
616Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 914name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
617C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 915of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
618AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 916case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
619 917will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
620The known classes so far are:
621
622 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
623 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
624 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
625 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
626 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
627 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
628 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
629 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
630
631There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
632watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
633POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
634second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
635AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
636it's adaptor.
637
638AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
639autodetecting them.
640 918
641=item AnyEvent::detect 919=item AnyEvent::detect
642 920
643Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 921Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
644if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 922if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
645have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 923have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
646runtime. 924runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
925
926If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
927created, use C<post_detect>.
647 928
648=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 929=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
649 930
650Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 931Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
651autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 932autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
652 933
934The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
935(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
936created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
937other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
938L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
939
940The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
941event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
942and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
943avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
944
653If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 945If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
654that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 946that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
947C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
655L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 948a case where this is useful.
949
950Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
951C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
952
953 our WATCHER;
954
955 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
956 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
957 };
958
959 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
960 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
961 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
962 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
963
964 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
656 965
657=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 966=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
658 967
659If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 968If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
660before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 969before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
661the event loop has been chosen. 970the event loop has been chosen.
662 971
663You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 972You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
664if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 973if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
665and the array will be ignored. 974array will be ignored.
666 975
667Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 976Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
977it, as it takes care of these details.
978
979This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
980when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
981not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
982into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
983
984Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
985together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
986Coro to accomplish this):
987
988 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
989 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
990 require Coro::AnyEvent;
991 } else {
992 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
993 # as soon as it is
994 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
995 }
668 996
669=back 997=back
670 998
671=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 999=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
672 1000
727 1055
728 1056
729=head1 OTHER MODULES 1057=head1 OTHER MODULES
730 1058
731The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1059The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
732AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1060AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
733in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1061modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
734available via CPAN. 1062come with AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
735 1063
736=over 4 1064=over 4
737 1065
738=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1066=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
739 1067
740Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1068Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
741functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1069functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
742
743=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
744
745Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
746 1070
747=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1071=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
748 1072
749Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1073Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
750addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1074addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
751connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1075connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
752 1076
1077=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1078
1079Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1080supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1081non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1082
753=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1083=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
754 1084
755Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1085Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
756 1086
1087=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1088
1089Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1090the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1091Client Protocol).
1092
1093=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1094
1095Here be danger!
1096
1097As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1098there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1099it's use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1100the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1101
1102It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1103confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1104fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1105with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1106packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1107support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1108wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1109
757=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1110=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
758 1111
759A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1112Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
760HTTP requests. 1113notifying you in an event-bnased way when the operation is finished.
1114
1115=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1116
1117Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1118toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1119L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1120file I/O, and much more.
761 1121
762=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1122=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
763 1123
764Provides a simple web application server framework. 1124A simple embedded webserver.
765 1125
766=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1126=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
767 1127
768The fastest ping in the west. 1128The fastest ping in the west.
769 1129
770=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
771
772Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
773
774=item L<Net::IRC3>
775
776AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
777
778=item L<Net::XMPP2>
779
780AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
781
782=item L<Net::FCP>
783
784AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
785of AnyEvent.
786
787=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
788
789High level API for event-based execution flow control.
790
791=item L<Coro> 1130=item L<Coro>
792 1131
793Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1132Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
794 1133
795=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
796
797Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
798programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
799together.
800
801=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
802
803Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
804IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
805
806=item L<IO::Lambda>
807
808The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
809
810=back 1134=back
811 1135
812=cut 1136=cut
813 1137
814package AnyEvent; 1138package AnyEvent;
815 1139
816no warnings; 1140# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
817use strict; 1141sub common_sense {
1142 # from common:.sense 1.0
1143 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x00";
1144 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1145 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1146}
818 1147
1148BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1149
819use Carp; 1150use Carp ();
820 1151
821our $VERSION = 4.151; 1152our $VERSION = '5.261';
822our $MODEL; 1153our $MODEL;
823 1154
824our $AUTOLOAD; 1155our $AUTOLOAD;
825our @ISA; 1156our @ISA;
826 1157
827our @REGISTRY; 1158our @REGISTRY;
828 1159
829our $WIN32; 1160our $VERBOSE;
830 1161
831BEGIN { 1162BEGIN {
832 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1163 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
833 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
834}
835 1164
1165 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1166
1167 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1168 if ${^TAINT};
1169
836our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1170 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1171
1172}
1173
1174our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
837 1175
838our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1176our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
839 1177
840{ 1178{
841 my $idx; 1179 my $idx;
843 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1181 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
844 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1182 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
845} 1183}
846 1184
847my @models = ( 1185my @models = (
848 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1186 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
849 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
850 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1187 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
851 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1188 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
852 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1189 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
853 # and is usually faster 1190 # and is usually faster
1191 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1192 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1193 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1194 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
854 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1195 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
855 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
856 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
857 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1196 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
858 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1197 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
859 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1198 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
860 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1199 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1200 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1201 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1202 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1203 # obvious default class.
1204 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1205 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1206 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1207 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
861); 1208);
862 1209
863our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1210our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1211 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
864 1212
865our @post_detect; 1213our @post_detect;
866 1214
867sub post_detect(&) { 1215sub post_detect(&) {
868 my ($cb) = @_; 1216 my ($cb) = @_;
869 1217
870 if ($MODEL) {
871 $cb->();
872
873 1
874 } else {
875 push @post_detect, $cb; 1218 push @post_detect, $cb;
876 1219
877 defined wantarray 1220 defined wantarray
878 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1221 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
879 : () 1222 : ()
1223}
1224
1225sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1226 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1227}
1228
1229sub detect() {
1230 # free some memory
1231 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1232
1233 local $!; # for good measure
1234 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1235
1236 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1237 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1238 if (eval "require $model") {
1239 $MODEL = $model;
1240 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1241 } else {
1242 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1243 }
880 } 1244 }
881}
882 1245
883sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1246 # check for already loaded models
884 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
885}
886
887sub detect() {
888 unless ($MODEL) { 1247 unless ($MODEL) {
889 no strict 'refs'; 1248 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
890 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1249 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
891 1250 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
892 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
893 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
894 if (eval "require $model") { 1251 if (eval "require $model") {
895 $MODEL = $model; 1252 $MODEL = $model;
896 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1253 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
897 } else { 1254 last;
898 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1255 }
899 } 1256 }
900 } 1257 }
901 1258
902 # check for already loaded models
903 unless ($MODEL) { 1259 unless ($MODEL) {
1260 # try to autoload a model
904 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1261 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
905 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1262 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1263 if (
1264 $autoload
1265 and eval "require $package"
906 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1266 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
907 if (eval "require $model") { 1267 and eval "require $model"
1268 ) {
908 $MODEL = $model; 1269 $MODEL = $model;
909 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1270 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
910 last; 1271 last;
911 }
912 } 1272 }
913 } 1273 }
914 1274
915 unless ($MODEL) {
916 # try to load a model
917
918 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
919 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
920 if (eval "require $package"
921 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
922 and eval "require $model") {
923 $MODEL = $model;
924 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
925 last;
926 }
927 }
928
929 $MODEL 1275 $MODEL
930 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1276 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
931 }
932 } 1277 }
933
934 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
935 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
936
937 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
938 } 1278 }
1279
1280 @models = (); # free probe data
1281
1282 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1283 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1284
1285 # now nuke some methods that are overriden by the backend.
1286 # SUPER is not allowed.
1287 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1288 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1289 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1290 }
1291
1292 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1293
1294 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1295
1296 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1297 shift->();
1298
1299 undef
1300 };
939 1301
940 $MODEL 1302 $MODEL
941} 1303}
942 1304
943sub AUTOLOAD { 1305sub AUTOLOAD {
944 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1306 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
945 1307
946 $method{$func} 1308 $method{$func}
947 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1309 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
948 1310
949 detect unless $MODEL; 1311 detect;
950 1312
951 my $class = shift; 1313 my $class = shift;
952 $class->$func (@_); 1314 $class->$func (@_);
953} 1315}
954 1316
1317# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1318# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1319# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1320sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1321 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1322
1323 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1324 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1325
1326 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1327 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1328
1329 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1330
1331 ($fh2, $rw)
1332}
1333
1334=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1335
1336Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1337simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1338overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1339
1340See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1341
1342=cut
1343
1344package AE;
1345
1346our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1347
1348# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1349# implementations can overwrite these.
1350
1351sub io($$$) {
1352 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1353}
1354
1355sub timer($$$) {
1356 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1357}
1358
1359sub signal($$) {
1360 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1361}
1362
1363sub child($$) {
1364 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1365}
1366
1367sub idle($) {
1368 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1369}
1370
1371sub cv(;&) {
1372 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1373}
1374
1375sub now() {
1376 AnyEvent->now
1377}
1378
1379sub now_update() {
1380 AnyEvent->now_update
1381}
1382
1383sub time() {
1384 AnyEvent->time
1385}
1386
955package AnyEvent::Base; 1387package AnyEvent::Base;
956 1388
957# default implementation for now and time 1389# default implementations for many methods
958 1390
959use Time::HiRes (); 1391sub time {
1392 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1393 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1394 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1395 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1396 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1397 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1398 } else {
1399 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1400 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1401 }
960 1402
961sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1403 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
962sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1404 };
1405 die if $@;
1406
1407 &time
1408}
1409
1410*now = \&time;
1411
1412sub now_update { }
963 1413
964# default implementation for ->condvar 1414# default implementation for ->condvar
965 1415
966sub condvar { 1416sub condvar {
1417 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1418 *condvar = sub {
967 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1419 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1420 };
1421
1422 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1423 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1424 };
1425 };
1426 die if $@;
1427
1428 &condvar
968} 1429}
969 1430
970# default implementation for ->signal 1431# default implementation for ->signal
971 1432
972our %SIG_CB; 1433our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1434
1435sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1436 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1437 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1438 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1439
1440 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1441}
1442
1443our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1444our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1445our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1446
1447# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1448# used by Impls
1449sub _sig_add() {
1450 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1451 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1452 my $NOW = AE::now;
1453
1454 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1455 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1456 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1457 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1458 ;
1459 }
1460}
1461
1462sub _sig_del {
1463 undef $SIG_TW
1464 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1465}
1466
1467our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1468 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1469 undef $_sig_name_init;
1470
1471 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1472 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1473 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1474 } else {
1475 require Config;
1476
1477 my %signame2num;
1478 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1479 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1480
1481 my @signum2name;
1482 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1483
1484 *sig2num = sub($) {
1485 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1486 };
1487 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1488 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1489 };
1490 }
1491 };
1492 die if $@;
1493};
1494
1495sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1496sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
973 1497
974sub signal { 1498sub signal {
1499 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1500 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1501 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1502 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1503
1504 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1505 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1506
1507 } else {
1508 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1509
1510 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1511 require AnyEvent::Util;
1512
1513 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1514 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1515 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1516 } else {
1517 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1518 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1519 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1520
1521 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1522 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1523 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1524 }
1525
1526 $SIGPIPE_R
1527 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1528
1529 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1530 }
1531
1532 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1533 ? sub {
975 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1534 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
976 1535
1536 # async::interrupt
977 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1537 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
978 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
979
980 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1538 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1539
1540 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1541 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1542 signal => $signal,
1543 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1544 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1545 ;
1546
1547 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1548 }
1549 : sub {
1550 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1551
1552 # pure perl
1553 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1554 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1555
981 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1556 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1557 local $!;
1558 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1559 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1560 };
1561
1562 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1563 # so limit the signal latency.
1564 _sig_add;
1565
1566 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1567 }
1568 ;
1569
1570 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1571 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1572
1573 _sig_del;
1574
1575 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1576
1577 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1578 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1579 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1580 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1581 # instead of getting the default action.
1582 undef $SIG{$signal}
1583 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1584 };
1585
1586 *_signal_exec = sub {
1587 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1588 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1589 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1590
1591 while (%SIG_EV) {
1592 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1593 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
982 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1594 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1595 }
1596 }
1597 };
983 }; 1598 };
1599 die if $@;
984 1600
985 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1601 &signal
986}
987
988sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
989 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
990
991 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
992
993 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
994} 1602}
995 1603
996# default implementation for ->child 1604# default implementation for ->child
997 1605
998our %PID_CB; 1606our %PID_CB;
999our $CHLD_W; 1607our $CHLD_W;
1000our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1608our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1001our $PID_IDLE;
1002our $WNOHANG; 1609our $WNOHANG;
1003 1610
1004sub _child_wait { 1611# used by many Impl's
1005 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1612sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1613 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1614
1615 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1006 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1616 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1007 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1617 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1008 }
1009
1010 undef $PID_IDLE;
1011}
1012
1013sub _sigchld {
1014 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
1015 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
1016 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1017 &_child_wait;
1018 });
1019} 1618}
1020 1619
1021sub child { 1620sub child {
1621 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1622 *_sigchld = sub {
1623 my $pid;
1624
1625 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1626 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1627 };
1628
1629 *child = sub {
1022 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1630 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1023 1631
1024 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1632 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1025 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1633 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1026 1634
1027 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1635 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1028 1636
1029 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1637 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1638 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1639 ? 1
1030 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1640 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1031 }
1032 1641
1033 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1642 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1034 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1643 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1035 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1644 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1036 &_sigchld; 1645 &_sigchld;
1037 } 1646 }
1038 1647
1039 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1648 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1040} 1649 };
1041 1650
1042sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1651 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1043 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1652 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1044 1653
1045 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1654 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1046 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1655 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1047 1656
1048 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1657 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1658 };
1659 };
1660 die if $@;
1661
1662 &child
1663}
1664
1665# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1666# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1667# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1668sub idle {
1669 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1670 *idle = sub {
1671 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1672
1673 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1674
1675 $rcb = sub {
1676 if ($cb) {
1677 $w = _time;
1678 &$cb;
1679 $w = _time - $w;
1680
1681 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1682 # within some limits
1683 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1684 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1685
1686 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1687 } else {
1688 # clean up...
1689 undef $w;
1690 undef $rcb;
1691 }
1692 };
1693
1694 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1695
1696 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1697 };
1698
1699 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1700 undef $${$_[0]};
1701 };
1702 };
1703 die if $@;
1704
1705 &idle
1049} 1706}
1050 1707
1051package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1708package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1052 1709
1053our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1710our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1054 1711
1055package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1712package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1056 1713
1057use overload 1714#use overload
1058 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1715# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1059 fallback => 1; 1716# fallback => 1;
1717
1718# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1719${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1720*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1721*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1722${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1723
1724our $WAITING;
1060 1725
1061sub _send { 1726sub _send {
1062 # nop 1727 # nop
1063} 1728}
1064 1729
1077sub ready { 1742sub ready {
1078 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1743 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1079} 1744}
1080 1745
1081sub _wait { 1746sub _wait {
1747 $WAITING
1748 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1749 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1750
1751 local $WAITING = 1;
1082 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1752 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1083} 1753}
1084 1754
1085sub recv { 1755sub recv {
1086 $_[0]->_wait; 1756 $_[0]->_wait;
1088 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1758 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1089 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1759 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1090} 1760}
1091 1761
1092sub cb { 1762sub cb {
1093 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1763 my $cv = shift;
1764
1765 @_
1766 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1767 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1768 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1769
1094 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1770 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1095} 1771}
1096 1772
1097sub begin { 1773sub begin {
1098 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1774 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1099 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1775 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1105} 1781}
1106 1782
1107# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1783# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1108*broadcast = \&send; 1784*broadcast = \&send;
1109*wait = \&_wait; 1785*wait = \&_wait;
1786
1787=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1788
1789In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1790caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1791the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1792checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1793development.
1794
1795As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1796executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1797also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1798program.
1799
1800The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1801within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1802$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1803so on.
1804
1805=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1806
1807The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1808submodules.
1809
1810Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1811C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1812enabled.
1813
1814=over 4
1815
1816=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1817
1818By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1819conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1820talkative.
1821
1822When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1823conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1824C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1825
1826When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1827model it chooses.
1828
1829When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1830which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1831
1832=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1833
1834AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1835argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1836will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1837check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1838it will croak.
1839
1840In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1841
1842Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1843>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1844C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1845can be very useful, however.
1846
1847=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1848
1849This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1850auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1851entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1852and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1853used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1854auto detection and -probing.
1855
1856This functionality might change in future versions.
1857
1858For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1859could start your program like this:
1860
1861 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1862
1863=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1864
1865Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1866for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1867of auto probing).
1868
1869Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1870current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1871used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1872list.
1873
1874This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1875against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1876small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1877
1878Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1879but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1880- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1881addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1882IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1883
1884=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1885
1886Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1887for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1888some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1889default.
1890
1891Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1892EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1893
1894=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1895
1896The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1897will create in parallel.
1898
1899=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1900
1901The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1902resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1903sent to the DNS server.
1904
1905=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1906
1907The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1908configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1909default config will be used.
1910
1911=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1912
1913When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1914L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1915variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1916instead of a system-dependent default.
1917
1918=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1919
1920When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1921loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1922
1923=back
1110 1924
1111=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1925=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1112 1926
1113This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1927This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1114a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1928a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1148 1962
1149I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1963I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1150condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1964condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1151C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1965C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1152not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1966not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1153
1154=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1155
1156The following environment variables are used by this module:
1157
1158=over 4
1159
1160=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1161
1162By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1163conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1164talkative.
1165
1166When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1167conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1168C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1169
1170When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1171model it chooses.
1172
1173=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1174
1175This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1176auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1177entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1178and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1179used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1180auto detection and -probing.
1181
1182This functionality might change in future versions.
1183
1184For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1185could start your program like this:
1186
1187 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1188
1189=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1190
1191Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1192for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1193of auto probing).
1194
1195Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1196current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1197used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1198list.
1199
1200This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1201against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1202small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1203
1204Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1205but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1206- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1207addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1208IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1209
1210=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1211
1212Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1213for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1214some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1215default.
1216
1217Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1218EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1219
1220=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1221
1222The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1223will create in parallel.
1224
1225=back
1226 1967
1227=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1968=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1228 1969
1229The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1970The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1230to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1971to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1243 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1984 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1244 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1985 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1245 }, 1986 },
1246 ); 1987 );
1247 1988
1248 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1249
1250 sub new_timer {
1251 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1989 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1252 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1990 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1253 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1254 }); 1991 });
1255 }
1256
1257 new_timer; # create first timer
1258 1992
1259 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1993 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1260 1994
1261=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1995=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1262 1996
1335 2069
1336The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2070The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1337that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2071that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1338whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2072whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1339and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2073and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1340problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2074problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1341random callback. 2075random callback.
1342 2076
1343All of this enables the following usage styles: 2077All of this enables the following usage styles:
1344 2078
13451. Blocking: 20791. Blocking:
1393through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2127through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1394timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2128timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1395which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2129which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1396 2130
1397Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2131Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1398distribution. 2132distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2133for the EV and Perl backends only.
1399 2134
1400=head3 Explanation of the columns 2135=head3 Explanation of the columns
1401 2136
1402I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2137I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1403different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2138different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1424watcher. 2159watcher.
1425 2160
1426=head3 Results 2161=head3 Results
1427 2162
1428 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2163 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1429 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2164 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1430 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2165 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1431 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2166 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1432 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2167 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1433 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2168 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1434 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2169 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2170 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2171 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1435 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2172 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1436 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2173 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1437 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2174 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1438 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2175 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1439 2176
1440=head3 Discussion 2177=head3 Discussion
1441 2178
1442The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2179The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1443well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2180well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1455benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2192benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1456EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2193EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1457cycles with POE. 2194cycles with POE.
1458 2195
1459C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2196C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1460maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2197maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2198overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2199slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1461far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2200any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1462natively.
1463 2201
1464The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2202The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1465constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2203constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1466interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2204interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1467adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2205adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1468performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2206performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1469them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2207them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1470 2208
1471The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2209The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1472cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2210cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2211
2212C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2213when using its pure perl backend.
1473 2214
1474C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2215C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1475faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2216faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1476C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2217C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1477watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2218watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1538In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2279In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1539(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2280(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1540connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2281connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1541 2282
1542Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2283Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1543distribution. 2284distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2285for the EV and Perl backends only.
1544 2286
1545=head3 Explanation of the columns 2287=head3 Explanation of the columns
1546 2288
1547I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2289I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1548each server has a read and write socket end). 2290each server has a read and write socket end).
1555it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2297it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1556a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2298a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1557 2299
1558=head3 Results 2300=head3 Results
1559 2301
1560 name sockets create request 2302 name sockets create request
1561 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2303 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1562 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2304 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1563 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2305 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1564 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2306 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2307 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2308 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1565 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2309 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1566 2310
1567=head3 Discussion 2311=head3 Discussion
1568 2312
1569This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2313This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1570particular event loop. 2314particular event loop.
1572EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2316EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1573is relatively high, though. 2317is relatively high, though.
1574 2318
1575Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2319Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1576loops Event and Glib. 2320loops Event and Glib.
2321
2322IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2323good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1577 2324
1578Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2325Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1579understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2326understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1580the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2327the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1581uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2328uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1644=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2391=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1645watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2392watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1646 2393
1647=back 2394=back
1648 2395
2396=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2397
2398Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2399could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2400simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2401shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2402fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2403very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2404baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2405
2406The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2407connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2408creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2409test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2410benchmark nevertheless.
2411
2412 name runtime
2413 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2414 + optimized 0.122 sec
2415 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2416 + optimized 0.138 sec
2417 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2418 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2419 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2420 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2421
2422 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2423 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2424 +state machine 0.134 sec
2425
2426The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2427benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2428defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2429written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2430AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2431resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2432generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2433connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2434
2435The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2436offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2437Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2438non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2439
2440As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2441hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2442backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2443
2444And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2445slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2446higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2447it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2448
2449The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2450F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2451part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2452
2453
2454=head1 SIGNALS
2455
2456AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2457
2458=over 4
2459
2460=item SIGCHLD
2461
2462A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2463emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2464event loops install a similar handler.
2465
2466Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2467AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2468
2469=item SIGPIPE
2470
2471A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2472when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2473
2474The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2475on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2476badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2477program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2478some random socket.
2479
2480The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2481that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2482
2483Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2484
2485=back
2486
2487=cut
2488
2489undef $SIG{CHLD}
2490 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2491
2492$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2493 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2494
2495=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2496
2497One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2498it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2499
2500That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2501modules if they are installed.
2502
2503This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2504affect AnyEvent's operation.
2505
2506=over 4
2507
2508=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2509
2510This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2511my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2512signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2513delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2514catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2515C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2516
2517If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2518catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2519will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2520battery life on laptops).
2521
2522This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2523that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2524
2525Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2526and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2527(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2528does nothing for those backends.
2529
2530=item L<EV>
2531
2532This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2533event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2534loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2535the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2536automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2537can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2538C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2539L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2540
2541If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2542then this module will do nothing for you.
2543
2544=item L<Guard>
2545
2546The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2547C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2548lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2549purely used for performance.
2550
2551=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2552
2553One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2554via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2555advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2556
2557=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2558
2559Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2560worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2561the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2562
2563=item L<Time::HiRes>
2564
2565This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2566chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2567pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2568try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2569
2570=back
2571
1649 2572
1650=head1 FORK 2573=head1 FORK
1651 2574
1652Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2575Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1653because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2576because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1654calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2577- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2578are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2579one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2580continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2581what you are doing).
2582
2583This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2584the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2585usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2586is loaded).
1655 2587
1656If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2588If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1657watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2589watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2590something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2591
2592The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2593is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2594fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2595watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2596parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2597to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2598preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2599to have another binary.
1658 2600
1659 2601
1660=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2602=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1661 2603
1662AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2604AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1673 2615
1674 use AnyEvent; 2616 use AnyEvent;
1675 2617
1676Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2618Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1677be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2619be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1678probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2620probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2621$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2622
2623Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2624C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2625enabled.
1679 2626
1680 2627
1681=head1 BUGS 2628=head1 BUGS
1682 2629
1683Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2630Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1684to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2631to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1685and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying 2632and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1686mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as 2633memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1687pronounced). 2634pronounced).
1688 2635
1689 2636
1690=head1 SEE ALSO 2637=head1 SEE ALSO
1691 2638
1695L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2642L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1696 2643
1697Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2644Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1698L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2645L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1699L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2646L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1700L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2647L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1701 2648
1702Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2649Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1703servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2650servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1704 2651
1705Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2652Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1706 2653
1707Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2654Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2655L<Coro::Event>,
1708 2656
1709Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2657Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2658L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1710 2659
1711 2660
1712=head1 AUTHOR 2661=head1 AUTHOR
1713 2662
1714 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2663 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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