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Revision 1.297 by root, Thu Nov 19 01:55:57 2009 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
22 39
23=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
24 41
25This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
26in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
27L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
28 45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
53
29=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
30 55
31Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
32nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
33 58
34Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
35policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
36 61
37First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 62First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
38interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 63interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
39pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
40the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 65the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
41only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 66only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
42helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
43 69
44The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 70The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
45programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
46religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
47module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
48model you use. 74model you use.
49 75
50For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
51actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 77actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
52like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 78like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
53cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
54isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 80that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
55I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
56 82
57AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
58fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
59with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 85with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
60your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 86your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
61too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
62event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 88event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
63as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 89use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
64event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
65 91
66In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 92In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
67model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 93model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
68modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 94modules, 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 95follow. 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 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
128creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
129callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
130is in control). 156is in control).
131 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
132To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
133variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
134to it). 166to it).
135 167
136All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
149my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
150declared. 182declared.
151 183
152=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
153 185
186 $w = AnyEvent->io (
187 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
188 poll => <"r" or "w">,
189 cb => <callback>,
190 );
191
154You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 192You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
155with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 193with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
156 194
157C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 195C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
197handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
198non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
199most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
200or block devices.
201
158for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 202C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
159which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 203watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
204
160respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 205C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
161becomes ready.
162 206
163Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 207Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
164presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 208presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
165callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 209callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
166 210
181 undef $w; 225 undef $w;
182 }); 226 });
183 227
184=head2 TIME WATCHERS 228=head2 TIME WATCHERS
185 229
230 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
231
232 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
233 after => <fractional_seconds>,
234 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
235 cb => <callback>,
236 );
237
186You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 238You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
187method with the following mandatory arguments: 239method with the following mandatory arguments:
188 240
189C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 241C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
190supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 242supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
298In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 350In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
299can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 351can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
300difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 352difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
301account. 353account.
302 354
355=item AnyEvent->now_update
356
357Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
358the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
359AnyEvent->now >>, above).
360
361When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
362this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
363might affect timers and time-outs.
364
365When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
366event loop's idea of "current time".
367
368A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
369when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
370idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
371script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
372AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
373(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
374
375Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
376
303=back 377=back
304 378
305=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 379=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
306 380
381 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
382
307You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 383You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
308I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 384I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
309be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 385callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
310 386
311Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 387Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
312presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 388presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
313callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 389callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
314 390
316invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 392invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
317that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 393that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
318but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 394but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
319 395
320The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 396The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
321between multiple watchers. 397between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
398interrupt your program at bad times.
322 399
323This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 400This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
324directly will likely not work correctly. 401so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
402correctly.
325 403
326Example: exit on SIGINT 404Example: exit on SIGINT
327 405
328 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 406 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
329 407
408=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
409
410Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
411callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
412do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
413this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
414signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
415specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
416variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
417and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
418AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
419will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
420saving.
421
422All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
423L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
424work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
425(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
426one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
427
330=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 428=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
331 429
430 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
431
332You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 432You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
333 433
334The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 434The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
335watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 435using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
336as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 436croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
337signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 437finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
338and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 438(stopped/continued).
339you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 439
440The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
441waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
442callback arguments.
443
444This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
445and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
446random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
447C<system>, is just fine).
340 448
341There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 449There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
342I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 450I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
343have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 451have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
344 452
345Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 453Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
454see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
346event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 455that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
347loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 456the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
457pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
458start the watcher.
348 459
349This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 460This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
350AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 461thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
351C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 462watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
463C<AnyEvent::detect>).
464
465As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
466emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
467mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
352 468
353Example: fork a process and wait for it 469Example: fork a process and wait for it
354 470
355 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 471 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
356 472
366 ); 482 );
367 483
368 # do something else, then wait for process exit 484 # do something else, then wait for process exit
369 $done->recv; 485 $done->recv;
370 486
487=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
488
489 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
490
491Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
492to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
493"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
494attention by the event loop".
495
496Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
497better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
498events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
499
500Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
501EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
502will simply call the callback "from time to time".
503
504Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
505program is otherwise idle:
506
507 my @lines; # read data
508 my $idle_w;
509 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
510 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
511
512 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
513 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
514 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
515 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
516 print "handled when idle: $line";
517 } else {
518 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
519 undef $idle_w;
520 }
521 });
522 });
523
371=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 524=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
525
526 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
527
528 $cv->send (<list>);
529 my @res = $cv->recv;
372 530
373If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 531If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
374require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 532require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
375will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 533will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
376 534
377AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 535AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
378will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 536loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
379 537
380The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 538The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
381because they represent a condition that must become true. 539because they represent a condition that must become true.
540
541Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
382 542
383Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 543Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
384>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 544>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
385C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 545C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
386becomes true. 546becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
547the results).
387 548
388After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 549After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
389by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 550by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
390were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 551were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
391->send >> method). 552->send >> method).
393Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 554Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
394optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 555optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
395in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 556in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
396another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 557another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
397used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 558used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
398a result. 559a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
560compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
399 561
400Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 562Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
401for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 563for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
402then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 564then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
403availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 565availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
437 after => 1, 599 after => 1,
438 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 600 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
439 ); 601 );
440 602
441 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 603 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
442 # calls send 604 # calls ->send
443 $result_ready->recv; 605 $result_ready->recv;
444 606
445Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 607Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
446condition variables are also code references. 608variables are also callable directly.
447 609
448 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 610 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
449 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 611 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
450 $done->recv; 612 $done->recv;
613
614Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
615callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
616the main program:
617
618 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
619
620 ...
621
622 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
623
624And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
625results are available:
626
627 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
628 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
629 });
451 630
452=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 631=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
453 632
454These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 633These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
455code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 634code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
468immediately from within send. 647immediately from within send.
469 648
470Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 649Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
471future C<< ->recv >> calls. 650future C<< ->recv >> calls.
472 651
473Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 652Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
474(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 653they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
475C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 654C<send>.
476overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
477instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
478support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
479invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
480example).
481 655
482=item $cv->croak ($error) 656=item $cv->croak ($error)
483 657
484Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 658Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
485C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 659C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
486 660
487This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 661This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
488user/consumer. 662user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
663delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
664diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
665deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
666the problem.
489 667
490=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 668=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
491 669
492=item $cv->end 670=item $cv->end
493
494These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
495 671
496These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 672These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
497one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 673one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
498to use a condition variable for the whole process. 674to use a condition variable for the whole process.
499 675
500Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 676Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
501C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 677C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
502>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 678>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
503is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 679condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
504callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 680>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
681be called without any arguments.
505 682
506Let's clarify this with the ping example: 683You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
684sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
685condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
686
687Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
688STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
689close before activating a condvar:
507 690
508 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 691 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
509 692
693 $cv->begin; # first watcher
694 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
695 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
696 or $cv->end;
697 });
698
699 $cv->begin; # second watcher
700 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
701 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
702 or $cv->end;
703 });
704
705 $cv->recv;
706
707This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
708one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
709sending.
710
711The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
712there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
713begung can potentially be zero:
714
715 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
716
510 my %result; 717 my %result;
511 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 718 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
512 719
513 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 720 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
514 $cv->begin; 721 $cv->begin;
515 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 722 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
516 $result{$host} = ...; 723 $result{$host} = ...;
531loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 738loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
532to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 739to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
533C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 740C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
534doesn't execute once). 741doesn't execute once).
535 742
536This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 743This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
537use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 744potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
538is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 745the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
539C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 746subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
747call C<end>.
540 748
541=back 749=back
542 750
543=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 751=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
544 752
560function will call C<croak>. 768function will call C<croak>.
561 769
562In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 770In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
563in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 771in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
564 772
773Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
774event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
775>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
776condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
777L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
778any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
779
565Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 780Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
566(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 781(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
567using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 782using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
568caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 783caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
569condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 784condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
570callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 785callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
571while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 786while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
572 787
573Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
574sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
575multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
576can supply.
577
578The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
579fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
580versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
581C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
582coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
583
584You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 788You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
585only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 789only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
586time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 790time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
587waits otherwise. 791waits otherwise.
588 792
589=item $bool = $cv->ready 793=item $bool = $cv->ready
590 794
591Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 795Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
592C<croak> have been called. 796C<croak> have been called.
593 797
594=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 798=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
595 799
596This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 800This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
597replaces it before doing so. 801replaces it before doing so.
598 802
599The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 803The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
600C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 804"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
601variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 805the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
602is guaranteed not to block. 806inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
603 807
604=back 808=back
605 809
810=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
811
812The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
813
814=over 4
815
816=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
817
818EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
819use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
820pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
821AnyEvent itself.
822
823 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
824 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
825
826=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
827
828These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
829is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
830them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
831when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
832create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
833
834 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
835 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
836 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
837 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
838 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
839 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
840
841=item Backends with special needs.
842
843Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
844otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
845instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
846everything should just work.
847
848 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
849
850Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
851architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
852is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
853it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
854L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
855
856 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
857
858=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
859
860Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
861
862There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
863
864B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
865use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
866polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
867consider for AnyEvent.
868
869B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
870backend, so it can be supported through POE.
871
872AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
873load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
874in which case everything will be automatic.
875
876=back
877
606=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 878=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
607 879
880These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
881write AnyEvent extension modules.
882
608=over 4 883=over 4
609 884
610=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 885=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
611 886
612Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 887Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
888backend has been autodetected.
889
613contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 890Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
614Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 891name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
615C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 892of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
616AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 893case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
617 894will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
618The known classes so far are:
619
620 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
621 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
622 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
623 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
624 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
625 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
626 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
627 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
628
629There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
630watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
631POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
632second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
633AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
634it's adaptor.
635
636AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
637autodetecting them.
638 895
639=item AnyEvent::detect 896=item AnyEvent::detect
640 897
641Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 898Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
642if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 899if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
643have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 900have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
644runtime. 901runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
902
903If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
904created, use C<post_detect>.
645 905
646=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 906=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
647 907
648Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 908Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
649autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 909autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
650 910
911The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
912(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
913created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
914other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
915L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
916
917The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
918event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
919and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
920avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
921
651If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 922If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
652that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 923that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
924C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
653L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 925a case where this is useful.
926
927Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
928C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
929
930 our WATCHER;
931
932 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
933 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
934 };
935
936 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
937 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
938 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
939 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
940
941 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
654 942
655=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 943=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
656 944
657If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 945If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
658before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 946before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
659the event loop has been chosen. 947the event loop has been chosen.
660 948
661You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 949You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
662if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 950if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
663and the array will be ignored. 951array will be ignored.
664 952
665Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 953Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
954it,as it takes care of these details.
955
956This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
957when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
958not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
959into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
666 960
667=back 961=back
668 962
669=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 963=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
670 964
725 1019
726 1020
727=head1 OTHER MODULES 1021=head1 OTHER MODULES
728 1022
729The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1023The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
730AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1024AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
731in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1025modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
732available via CPAN. 1026come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
733 1027
734=over 4 1028=over 4
735 1029
736=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1030=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
737 1031
746 1040
747=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1041=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
748 1042
749Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1043Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
750supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1044supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
751non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1045non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
752 1046
753=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1047=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
754 1048
755Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1049Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
756 1050
784 1078
785=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1079=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
786 1080
787A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1081A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
788 1082
1083=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1084
1085AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1086
1087=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1088
1089AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1090Net::XMPP2>.
1091
789=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1092=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
790 1093
791A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1094A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
792L<App::IGS>). 1095L<App::IGS>).
793 1096
794=item L<Net::IRC3>
795
796AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
797
798=item L<Net::XMPP2>
799
800AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
801
802=item L<Net::FCP> 1097=item L<Net::FCP>
803 1098
804AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1099AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
805of AnyEvent. 1100of AnyEvent.
806 1101
810 1105
811=item L<Coro> 1106=item L<Coro>
812 1107
813Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1108Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
814 1109
815=item L<IO::Lambda>
816
817The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
818
819=back 1110=back
820 1111
821=cut 1112=cut
822 1113
823package AnyEvent; 1114package AnyEvent;
824 1115
825no warnings; 1116# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
826use strict; 1117sub common_sense {
1118 # from common:.sense 1.0
1119 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\xf3\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x03";
1120 # use strict vars subs
1121 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1122}
827 1123
1124BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1125
828use Carp; 1126use Carp ();
829 1127
830our $VERSION = 4.2; 1128our $VERSION = '5.21';
831our $MODEL; 1129our $MODEL;
832 1130
833our $AUTOLOAD; 1131our $AUTOLOAD;
834our @ISA; 1132our @ISA;
835 1133
836our @REGISTRY; 1134our @REGISTRY;
837 1135
838our $WIN32; 1136our $VERBOSE;
839 1137
840BEGIN { 1138BEGIN {
841 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1139 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
842 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1140 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
843}
844 1141
1142 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1143 if ${^TAINT};
1144
845our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1145 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1146
1147}
1148
1149our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
846 1150
847our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1151our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
848 1152
849{ 1153{
850 my $idx; 1154 my $idx;
852 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1156 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
853 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1157 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
854} 1158}
855 1159
856my @models = ( 1160my @models = (
857 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1161 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
858 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
859 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1162 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
860 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1163 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
861 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1164 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
862 # and is usually faster 1165 # and is usually faster
1166 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1167 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1168 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1169 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
863 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1170 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
864 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
865 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
866 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1171 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
867 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1172 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
868 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1173 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
869 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1174 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1175 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1176 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1177 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1178 # obvious default class.
1179 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1180 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1181 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1182 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
870); 1183);
871 1184
872our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1185our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1186 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
873 1187
874our @post_detect; 1188our @post_detect;
875 1189
876sub post_detect(&) { 1190sub post_detect(&) {
877 my ($cb) = @_; 1191 my ($cb) = @_;
878 1192
879 if ($MODEL) { 1193 if ($MODEL) {
880 $cb->(); 1194 $cb->();
881 1195
882 1 1196 undef
883 } else { 1197 } else {
884 push @post_detect, $cb; 1198 push @post_detect, $cb;
885 1199
886 defined wantarray 1200 defined wantarray
887 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1201 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
888 : () 1202 : ()
889 } 1203 }
890} 1204}
891 1205
892sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1206sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
893 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1207 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
894} 1208}
895 1209
896sub detect() { 1210sub detect() {
897 unless ($MODEL) { 1211 unless ($MODEL) {
898 no strict 'refs';
899 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1212 local $SIG{__DIE__};
900 1213
901 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1214 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
902 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1215 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
903 if (eval "require $model") { 1216 if (eval "require $model") {
904 $MODEL = $model; 1217 $MODEL = $model;
905 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1218 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
906 } else { 1219 } else {
907 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1220 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
908 } 1221 }
909 } 1222 }
910 1223
911 # check for already loaded models 1224 # check for already loaded models
912 unless ($MODEL) { 1225 unless ($MODEL) {
913 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1226 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
914 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1227 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
915 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1228 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
916 if (eval "require $model") { 1229 if (eval "require $model") {
917 $MODEL = $model; 1230 $MODEL = $model;
918 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1231 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
919 last; 1232 last;
920 } 1233 }
921 } 1234 }
922 } 1235 }
923 1236
924 unless ($MODEL) { 1237 unless ($MODEL) {
925 # try to load a model 1238 # try to autoload a model
926
927 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1239 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
928 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1240 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1241 if (
1242 $autoload
929 if (eval "require $package" 1243 and eval "require $package"
930 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1244 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
931 and eval "require $model") { 1245 and eval "require $model"
1246 ) {
932 $MODEL = $model; 1247 $MODEL = $model;
933 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1248 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
934 last; 1249 last;
935 } 1250 }
936 } 1251 }
937 1252
938 $MODEL 1253 $MODEL
939 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1254 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
940 } 1255 }
941 } 1256 }
942 1257
1258 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1259
943 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1260 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
944 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1261
1262 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
945 1263
946 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1264 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
947 } 1265 }
948 1266
949 $MODEL 1267 $MODEL
951 1269
952sub AUTOLOAD { 1270sub AUTOLOAD {
953 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1271 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
954 1272
955 $method{$func} 1273 $method{$func}
956 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1274 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
957 1275
958 detect unless $MODEL; 1276 detect unless $MODEL;
959 1277
960 my $class = shift; 1278 my $class = shift;
961 $class->$func (@_); 1279 $class->$func (@_);
962} 1280}
963 1281
1282# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1283# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1284# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1285sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1286 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1287
1288 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1289 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1290
1291 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1292 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1293
1294 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1295
1296 ($fh2, $rw)
1297}
1298
1299=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1300
1301Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1302simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1303overhead.
1304
1305See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1306
1307=cut
1308
1309package AE;
1310
1311our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1312
1313sub io($$$) {
1314 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1315}
1316
1317sub timer($$$) {
1318 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1319}
1320
1321sub signal($$) {
1322 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1323}
1324
1325sub child($$) {
1326 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1327}
1328
1329sub idle($) {
1330 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1331}
1332
1333sub cv(;&) {
1334 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1335}
1336
1337sub now() {
1338 AnyEvent->now
1339}
1340
1341sub now_update() {
1342 AnyEvent->now_update
1343}
1344
1345sub time() {
1346 AnyEvent->time
1347}
1348
964package AnyEvent::Base; 1349package AnyEvent::Base;
965 1350
966# default implementation for now and time 1351# default implementations for many methods
967 1352
968use Time::HiRes (); 1353sub _time() {
1354 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1355 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1356 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1357 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1358 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1359 } else {
1360 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1361 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1362 }
969 1363
970sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1364 &_time
971sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1365}
1366
1367sub time { _time }
1368sub now { _time }
1369sub now_update { }
972 1370
973# default implementation for ->condvar 1371# default implementation for ->condvar
974 1372
975sub condvar { 1373sub condvar {
976 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1374 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
977} 1375}
978 1376
979# default implementation for ->signal 1377# default implementation for ->signal
980 1378
981our %SIG_CB; 1379our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1380
1381sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1382 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1383 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1384 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1385
1386 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1387}
1388
1389our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1390our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1391our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1392
1393sub _signal_exec {
1394 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1395 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1396 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1397
1398 while (%SIG_EV) {
1399 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1400 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1401 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1402 }
1403 }
1404}
1405
1406# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1407sub _sig_add() {
1408 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1409 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1410 my $NOW = AE::now;
1411
1412 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1413 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1414 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1415 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1416 ;
1417 }
1418}
1419
1420sub _sig_del {
1421 undef $SIG_TW
1422 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1423}
1424
1425our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1426 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1427 undef $_sig_name_init;
1428
1429 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1430 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1431 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1432 } else {
1433 require Config;
1434
1435 my %signame2num;
1436 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1437 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1438
1439 my @signum2name;
1440 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1441
1442 *sig2num = sub($) {
1443 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1444 };
1445 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1446 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1447 };
1448 }
1449 };
1450 die if $@;
1451};
1452
1453sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1454sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
982 1455
983sub signal { 1456sub signal {
1457 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1458 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1459 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1460 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1461
1462 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1463 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1464
1465 } else {
1466 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1467
1468 require Fcntl;
1469
1470 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1471 require AnyEvent::Util;
1472
1473 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1474 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1475 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1476 } else {
1477 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1478 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1479 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1480
1481 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1482 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1483 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1484 }
1485
1486 $SIGPIPE_R
1487 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1488
1489 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1490 }
1491
1492 *signal = sub {
984 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1493 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
985 1494
986 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1495 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
987 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1496 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
988 1497
1498 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1499 # async::interrupt
1500
1501 $signal = sig2num $signal;
989 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1502 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1503
1504 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1505 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1506 signal => $signal,
1507 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1508 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1509 ;
1510
1511 } else {
1512 # pure perl
1513
1514 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1515 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1516 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1517
990 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1518 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
991 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1519 local $!;
1520 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1521 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1522 };
1523
1524 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1525 # so limit the signal latency.
1526 _sig_add;
1527 }
1528
1529 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1530 };
1531
1532 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1533 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1534
1535 _sig_del;
1536
1537 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1538
1539 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1540 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1541 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1542 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1543 # instead of getting the default action.
1544 undef $SIG{$signal}
1545 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1546 };
992 }; 1547 };
993 1548 die if $@;
994 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1549 &signal
995}
996
997sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
998 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
999
1000 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1001
1002 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1003} 1550}
1004 1551
1005# default implementation for ->child 1552# default implementation for ->child
1006 1553
1007our %PID_CB; 1554our %PID_CB;
1008our $CHLD_W; 1555our $CHLD_W;
1009our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1556our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1010our $PID_IDLE;
1011our $WNOHANG; 1557our $WNOHANG;
1012 1558
1013sub _child_wait { 1559sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1014 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1560 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1561
1562 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1015 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1563 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1016 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1564 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1017 }
1018
1019 undef $PID_IDLE;
1020} 1565}
1021 1566
1022sub _sigchld { 1567sub _sigchld {
1023 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1568 my $pid;
1024 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1569
1025 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1570 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1026 &_child_wait; 1571 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1027 });
1028} 1572}
1029 1573
1030sub child { 1574sub child {
1031 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1575 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1032 1576
1033 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1577 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1034 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1578 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1035 1579
1036 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1580 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1037 1581
1038 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1582 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1583 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1584 ? 1
1039 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1585 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1040 }
1041 1586
1042 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1587 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1043 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1588 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1044 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1589 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1045 &_sigchld; 1590 &_sigchld;
1046 } 1591 }
1047 1592
1048 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1593 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1049} 1594}
1050 1595
1051sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1596sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1052 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1597 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1053 1598
1054 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1599 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1055 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1600 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1056 1601
1057 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1602 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1058} 1603}
1059 1604
1605# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1606# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1607# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1608sub idle {
1609 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1610
1611 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1612
1613 $rcb = sub {
1614 if ($cb) {
1615 $w = _time;
1616 &$cb;
1617 $w = _time - $w;
1618
1619 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1620 # within some limits
1621 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1622 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1623
1624 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1625 } else {
1626 # clean up...
1627 undef $w;
1628 undef $rcb;
1629 }
1630 };
1631
1632 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1633
1634 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1635}
1636
1637sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1638 undef $${$_[0]};
1639}
1640
1060package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1641package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1061 1642
1062our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1643our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1063 1644
1064package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1645package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1065 1646
1066use overload 1647#use overload
1067 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1648# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1068 fallback => 1; 1649# fallback => 1;
1650
1651# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1652${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1653*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1654*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1655${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1656
1657our $WAITING;
1069 1658
1070sub _send { 1659sub _send {
1071 # nop 1660 # nop
1072} 1661}
1073 1662
1086sub ready { 1675sub ready {
1087 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1676 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1088} 1677}
1089 1678
1090sub _wait { 1679sub _wait {
1680 $WAITING
1681 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1682 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1683
1684 local $WAITING = 1;
1091 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1685 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1092} 1686}
1093 1687
1094sub recv { 1688sub recv {
1095 $_[0]->_wait; 1689 $_[0]->_wait;
1097 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1691 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1098 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1692 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1099} 1693}
1100 1694
1101sub cb { 1695sub cb {
1102 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1696 my $cv = shift;
1697
1698 @_
1699 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1700 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1701 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1702
1103 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1703 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1104} 1704}
1105 1705
1106sub begin { 1706sub begin {
1107 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1707 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1108 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1708 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1114} 1714}
1115 1715
1116# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1716# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1117*broadcast = \&send; 1717*broadcast = \&send;
1118*wait = \&_wait; 1718*wait = \&_wait;
1719
1720=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1721
1722In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1723caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1724the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1725checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1726development.
1727
1728As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1729executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1730also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1731program.
1732
1733The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1734within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1735$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1736so on.
1737
1738=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1739
1740The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1741submodules.
1742
1743Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1744C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1745enabled.
1746
1747=over 4
1748
1749=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1750
1751By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1752conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1753talkative.
1754
1755When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1756conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1757C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1758
1759When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1760model it chooses.
1761
1762When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1763which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1764
1765=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1766
1767AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1768argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1769will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1770check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1771it will croak.
1772
1773In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1774
1775Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1776>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1777C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1778can be very useful, however.
1779
1780=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1781
1782This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1783auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1784entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1785and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1786used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1787auto detection and -probing.
1788
1789This functionality might change in future versions.
1790
1791For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1792could start your program like this:
1793
1794 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1795
1796=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1797
1798Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1799for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1800of auto probing).
1801
1802Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1803current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1804used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1805list.
1806
1807This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1808against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1809small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1810
1811Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1812but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1813- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1814addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1815IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1816
1817=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1818
1819Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1820for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1821some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1822default.
1823
1824Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1825EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1826
1827=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1828
1829The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1830will create in parallel.
1831
1832=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1833
1834The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1835resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1836sent to the DNS server.
1837
1838=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1839
1840The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1841configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1842default config will be used.
1843
1844=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1845
1846When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1847L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1848variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1849instead of a system-dependent default.
1850
1851=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1852
1853When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1854loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1855
1856=back
1119 1857
1120=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1858=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1121 1859
1122This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1860This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1123a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1861a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1157 1895
1158I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1896I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1159condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1897condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1160C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1898C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1161not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1899not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1162
1163=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1164
1165The following environment variables are used by this module:
1166
1167=over 4
1168
1169=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1170
1171By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1172conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1173talkative.
1174
1175When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1176conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1177C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1178
1179When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1180model it chooses.
1181
1182=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1183
1184This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1185auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1186entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1187and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1188used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1189auto detection and -probing.
1190
1191This functionality might change in future versions.
1192
1193For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1194could start your program like this:
1195
1196 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1197
1198=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1199
1200Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1201for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1202of auto probing).
1203
1204Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1205current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1206used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1207list.
1208
1209This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1210against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1211small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1212
1213Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1214but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1215- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1216addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1217IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1218
1219=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1220
1221Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1222for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1223some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1224default.
1225
1226Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1227EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1228
1229=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1230
1231The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1232will create in parallel.
1233
1234=back
1235 1900
1236=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1901=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1237 1902
1238The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1903The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1239to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1904to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1252 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1917 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1253 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1918 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1254 }, 1919 },
1255 ); 1920 );
1256 1921
1257 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1258
1259 sub new_timer {
1260 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1922 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1261 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1923 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1262 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1263 }); 1924 });
1264 }
1265
1266 new_timer; # create first timer
1267 1925
1268 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1926 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1269 1927
1270=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1928=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1271 1929
1402through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2060through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1403timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2061timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1404which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2062which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1405 2063
1406Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2064Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1407distribution. 2065distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2066for the EV and Perl backends only.
1408 2067
1409=head3 Explanation of the columns 2068=head3 Explanation of the columns
1410 2069
1411I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2070I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1412different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2071different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1433watcher. 2092watcher.
1434 2093
1435=head3 Results 2094=head3 Results
1436 2095
1437 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2096 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1438 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2097 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1439 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2098 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1440 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2099 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1441 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2100 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1442 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2101 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1443 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2102 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2103 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2104 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1444 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2105 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1445 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2106 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1446 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2107 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1447 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2108 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1448 2109
1449=head3 Discussion 2110=head3 Discussion
1450 2111
1451The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2112The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1452well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2113well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1464benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2125benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1465EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2126EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1466cycles with POE. 2127cycles with POE.
1467 2128
1468C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2129C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1469maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2130maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2131overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2132slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1470far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2133any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1471natively.
1472 2134
1473The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2135The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1474constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2136constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1475interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2137interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1476adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2138adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1477performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2139performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1478them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2140them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1479 2141
1480The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2142The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1481cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2143cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2144
2145C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2146when using its pure perl backend.
1482 2147
1483C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2148C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1484faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2149faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1485C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2150C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1486watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2151watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1547In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2212In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1548(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2213(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1549connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2214connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1550 2215
1551Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2216Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1552distribution. 2217distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2218for the EV and Perl backends only.
1553 2219
1554=head3 Explanation of the columns 2220=head3 Explanation of the columns
1555 2221
1556I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2222I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1557each server has a read and write socket end). 2223each server has a read and write socket end).
1564it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2230it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1565a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2231a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1566 2232
1567=head3 Results 2233=head3 Results
1568 2234
1569 name sockets create request 2235 name sockets create request
1570 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2236 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1571 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2237 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1572 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2238 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1573 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2239 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2240 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2241 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1574 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2242 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1575 2243
1576=head3 Discussion 2244=head3 Discussion
1577 2245
1578This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2246This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1579particular event loop. 2247particular event loop.
1581EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2249EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1582is relatively high, though. 2250is relatively high, though.
1583 2251
1584Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2252Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1585loops Event and Glib. 2253loops Event and Glib.
2254
2255IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2256good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1586 2257
1587Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2258Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1588understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2259understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1589the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2260the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1590uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2261uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1653=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2324=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1654watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2325watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1655 2326
1656=back 2327=back
1657 2328
2329=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2330
2331Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2332could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2333simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2334shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2335fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2336very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2337baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2338
2339The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2340connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2341creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2342test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2343benchmark nevertheless.
2344
2345 name runtime
2346 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2347 + optimized 0.122 sec
2348 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2349 + optimized 0.138 sec
2350 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2351 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2352 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2353 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2354
2355 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2356 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2357 +state machine 0.134 sec
2358
2359The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2360benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2361defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2362written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2363AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2364resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2365generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2366connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2367
2368The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2369offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2370Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2371non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2372
2373As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2374hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2375backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2376
2377And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2378slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2379higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2380it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2381
2382The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2383F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2384part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2385
2386
2387=head1 SIGNALS
2388
2389AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2390
2391=over 4
2392
2393=item SIGCHLD
2394
2395A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2396emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2397event loops install a similar handler.
2398
2399Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2400AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2401
2402=item SIGPIPE
2403
2404A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2405when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2406
2407The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2408on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2409badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2410program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2411some random socket.
2412
2413The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2414that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2415
2416Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2417
2418=back
2419
2420=cut
2421
2422undef $SIG{CHLD}
2423 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2424
2425$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2426 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2427
2428=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2429
2430One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2431it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2432
2433That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2434modules if they are installed.
2435
2436This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2437affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2438
2439=over 4
2440
2441=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2442
2443This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2444my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2445signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2446delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2447catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2448C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2449
2450If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2451catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2452will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2453battery life on laptops).
2454
2455This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2456that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2457
2458Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2459and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2460(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2461does nothing for those backends.
2462
2463=item L<EV>
2464
2465This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2466event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2467loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2468the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2469automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2470can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2471C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2472L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2473
2474=item L<Guard>
2475
2476The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2477C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2478lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2479purely used for performance.
2480
2481=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2482
2483One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2484via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2485advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2486
2487In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2488installed.
2489
2490=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2491
2492Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2493worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2494the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2495
2496=item L<Time::HiRes>
2497
2498This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2499chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2500pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2501try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2502
2503=back
2504
1658 2505
1659=head1 FORK 2506=head1 FORK
1660 2507
1661Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2508Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1662because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2509because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1663calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2510calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1664 2511
1665If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2512If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1666watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2513watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2514something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1667 2515
1668 2516
1669=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2517=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1670 2518
1671AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2519AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1682 2530
1683 use AnyEvent; 2531 use AnyEvent;
1684 2532
1685Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2533Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1686be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2534be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1687probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2535probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2536$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2537
2538Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2539C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2540enabled.
1688 2541
1689 2542
1690=head1 BUGS 2543=head1 BUGS
1691 2544
1692Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2545Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1693to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2546to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1694and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying 2547and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1695mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as 2548memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1696pronounced). 2549pronounced).
1697 2550
1698 2551
1699=head1 SEE ALSO 2552=head1 SEE ALSO
1700 2553
1704L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2557L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1705 2558
1706Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2559Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1707L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2560L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1708L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2561L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1709L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2562L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1710 2563
1711Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2564Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1712servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2565servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1713 2566
1714Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2567Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1715 2568
1716Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2569Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2570L<Coro::Event>,
1717 2571
1718Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2572Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2573L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1719 2574
1720 2575
1721=head1 AUTHOR 2576=head1 AUTHOR
1722 2577
1723 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2578 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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