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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # 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 { ... });
12 14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
15 18
16 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
17 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
18 21
22 # POSIX signal
19 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
20 24
25 # child process exit
21 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
22 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
23 ... 28 ...
24 }); 29 });
30
31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
25 33
26 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
27 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
28 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
29 # use a condvar in callback mode: 37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
32=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
33 41
34This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
35in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
36L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
37 53
38=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
39 55
40Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
41nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
168=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
169 185
170You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 186You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
171with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 187with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
172 188
173C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch for events 189C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
174(AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file handle). C<poll> 190for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
191handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
192non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
193most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
194or block devices.
195
175must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a watcher 196C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
176waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively. C<cb> is the 197watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
198
177callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready. 199C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
178 200
179Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 201Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
180presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 202presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
181callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 203callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
182 204
314In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 336In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
315can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 337can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
316difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 338difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
317account. 339account.
318 340
341=item AnyEvent->now_update
342
343Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
344the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
345AnyEvent->now >>, above).
346
347When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
348this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
349might affect timers and time-outs.
350
351When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
352event loop's idea of "current time".
353
354Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
355
319=back 356=back
320 357
321=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 358=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
322 359
323You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 360You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
332invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 369invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
333that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 370that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
334but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 371but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
335 372
336The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 373The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
337between multiple watchers. 374between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
375interrupt your program at bad times.
338 376
339This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 377This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
340directly will likely not work correctly. 378so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
379correctly.
341 380
342Example: exit on SIGINT 381Example: exit on SIGINT
343 382
344 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 383 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
345 384
385=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
386
387Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
388callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
389race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
390in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
391be delayed is specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10
392seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
393watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
394will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
395saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
396L<Async::Interrupt> module. This will not work with inherently broken
397event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib> (and not with L<POE>
398currently, as POE does it's own workaround with one-second latency). With
399those, you just have to suffer the delays.
400
346=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 401=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
347 402
348You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 403You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
349 404
350The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 405The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
351watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 406using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
352the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 407croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
353any trace events (stopped/continued). 408finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
409(stopped/continued).
354 410
355The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 411The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
356waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 412waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
357callback arguments. 413callback arguments.
358 414
363 419
364There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 420There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
365I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 421I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
366have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 422have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
367 423
368Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 424Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
425see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
369event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 426that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
370loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 427the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
428pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
429start the watcher.
371 430
372This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 431This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
373AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 432thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
374C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 433watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
434C<AnyEvent::detect>).
435
436As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
437emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
438mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
375 439
376Example: fork a process and wait for it 440Example: fork a process and wait for it
377 441
378 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 442 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
379 443
389 ); 453 );
390 454
391 # do something else, then wait for process exit 455 # do something else, then wait for process exit
392 $done->recv; 456 $done->recv;
393 457
458=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
459
460Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
461to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
462"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
463attention by the event loop".
464
465Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
466better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
467events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
468
469Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
470EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
471will simply call the callback "from time to time".
472
473Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
474program is otherwise idle:
475
476 my @lines; # read data
477 my $idle_w;
478 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
479 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
480
481 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
482 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
483 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
484 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
485 print "handled when idle: $line";
486 } else {
487 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
488 undef $idle_w;
489 }
490 });
491 });
492
394=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 493=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
395 494
396If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 495If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
397require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 496require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
398will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 497will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
399 498
400AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 499AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
401will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 500loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
402 501
403The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 502The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
404because they represent a condition that must become true. 503because they represent a condition that must become true.
405 504
505Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
506
406Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 507Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
407>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 508>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
408
409C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 509C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
410becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 510becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
411the results). 511the results).
412 512
413After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 513After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
418Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 518Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
419optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 519optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
420in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 520in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
421another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 521another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
422used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 522used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
423a result. 523a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
524compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
424 525
425Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 526Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
426for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 527for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
427then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 528then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
428availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 529availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
462 after => 1, 563 after => 1,
463 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 564 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
464 ); 565 );
465 566
466 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 567 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
467 # calls send 568 # calls -<send
468 $result_ready->recv; 569 $result_ready->recv;
469 570
470Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 571Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
471condition variables are also code references. 572variables are also callable directly.
472 573
473 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 574 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
474 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 575 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
475 $done->recv; 576 $done->recv;
476 577
482 583
483 ... 584 ...
484 585
485 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 586 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
486 587
487And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 588And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
488results are available: 589results are available:
489 590
490 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 591 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
491 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 592 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
492 }); 593 });
510immediately from within send. 611immediately from within send.
511 612
512Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 613Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
513future C<< ->recv >> calls. 614future C<< ->recv >> calls.
514 615
515Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 616Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
516(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 617they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
517C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 618C<send>.
518overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
519instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
520support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
521invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
522example).
523 619
524=item $cv->croak ($error) 620=item $cv->croak ($error)
525 621
526Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 622Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
527C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 623C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
528 624
529This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 625This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
530user/consumer. 626user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
627delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
628diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
629deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
630the problem.
531 631
532=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 632=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
533 633
534=item $cv->end 634=item $cv->end
535
536These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
537 635
538These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 636These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
539one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 637one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
540to use a condition variable for the whole process. 638to use a condition variable for the whole process.
541 639
543C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 641C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
544>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 642>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
545is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 643is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
546callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 644callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
547 645
548Let's clarify this with the ping example: 646You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
647sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
648condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
649
650Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
651STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
652close before activating a condvar:
653
654 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
655
656 $cv->begin; # first watcher
657 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
658 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
659 or $cv->end;
660 });
661
662 $cv->begin; # second watcher
663 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
664 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
665 or $cv->end;
666 });
667
668 $cv->recv;
669
670This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
671one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
672sending.
673
674The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
675there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
676begung can potentially be zero:
549 677
550 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 678 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551 679
552 my %result; 680 my %result;
553 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 681 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
573loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 701loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
574to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 702to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
575C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 703C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
576doesn't execute once). 704doesn't execute once).
577 705
578This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 706This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
579use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 707potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
580is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 708the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
581C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 709subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
710call C<end>.
582 711
583=back 712=back
584 713
585=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 714=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
586 715
602function will call C<croak>. 731function will call C<croak>.
603 732
604In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 733In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
605in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 734in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
606 735
736Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
737event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
738>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
739condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
740L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
741any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
742
607Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 743Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
608(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 744(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
609using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 745using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
610caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 746caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
611condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 747condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
612callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 748callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
613while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 749while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
614 750
615Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
616sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
617multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
618can supply.
619
620The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
621fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
622versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
623C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
624coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
625
626You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 751You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
627only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 752only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
628time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 753time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
629waits otherwise. 754waits otherwise.
630 755
643variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 768variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
644is guaranteed not to block. 769is guaranteed not to block.
645 770
646=back 771=back
647 772
773=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
774
775The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
776
777=over 4
778
779=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
780
781EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
782use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
783that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
784available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
785
786 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
787 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
788 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
789
790=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
791
792These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
793is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
794them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
795when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
796create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
797
798 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
799 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
800 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
801 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
802 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
803
804=item Backends with special needs.
805
806Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
807otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
808instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
809everything should just work.
810
811 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
812
813Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
814architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
815is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
816it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
817L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
818
819 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
820
821=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
822
823Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
824
825There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
826
827B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
828use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
829polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
830consider for AnyEvent.
831
832B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
833backend, so it can be supported through POE.
834
835AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
836load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
837in which case everything will be automatic.
838
839=back
840
648=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 841=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
649 842
843These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
844write AnyEvent extension modules.
845
650=over 4 846=over 4
651 847
652=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 848=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
653 849
654Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 850Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
851backend has been autodetected.
852
655contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 853Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
656Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 854name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
657C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 855of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
658AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 856case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
659 857will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
660The known classes so far are:
661
662 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
663 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
664 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
665 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
666 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
667 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
668 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
669 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
670
671There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
672watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
673POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
674second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
675AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
676it's adaptor.
677
678AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
679autodetecting them.
680 858
681=item AnyEvent::detect 859=item AnyEvent::detect
682 860
683Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 861Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
684if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 862if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
685have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 863have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
686runtime. 864runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
865
866If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
867created, use C<post_detect>.
687 868
688=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 869=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
689 870
690Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 871Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
691autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 872autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
692 873
874The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
875(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
876created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
877other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
878L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
879
880The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
881event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
882and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
883avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
884
693If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 885If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
694that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 886that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
887C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
695L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 888a case where this is useful.
889
890Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
891C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
892
893 our WATCHER;
894
895 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
896 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
897 };
898
899 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
900 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
901 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
902 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
903
904 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
696 905
697=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 906=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
698 907
699If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 908If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
700before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 909before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
701the event loop has been chosen. 910the event loop has been chosen.
702 911
703You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 912You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
704if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 913if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
705and the array will be ignored. 914array will be ignored.
706 915
707Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 916Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
917it,as it takes care of these details.
918
919This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
920when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
921not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
922into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
708 923
709=back 924=back
710 925
711=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 926=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
712 927
767 982
768 983
769=head1 OTHER MODULES 984=head1 OTHER MODULES
770 985
771The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 986The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
772AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 987AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
773in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 988modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
774available via CPAN. 989come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
775 990
776=over 4 991=over 4
777 992
778=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 993=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
779 994
788 1003
789=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1004=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
790 1005
791Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1006Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
792supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1007supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
793non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1008non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
794 1009
795=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1010=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
796 1011
797Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1012Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
798 1013
826 1041
827=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1042=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
828 1043
829A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1044A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
830 1045
1046=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1047
1048AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1049
1050=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1051
1052AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1053Net::XMPP2>.
1054
831=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1055=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
832 1056
833A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1057A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
834L<App::IGS>). 1058L<App::IGS>).
835 1059
836=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
837
838AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
839
840=item L<Net::XMPP2>
841
842AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
843
844=item L<Net::FCP> 1060=item L<Net::FCP>
845 1061
846AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1062AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
847of AnyEvent. 1063of AnyEvent.
848 1064
852 1068
853=item L<Coro> 1069=item L<Coro>
854 1070
855Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1071Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
856 1072
857=item L<IO::Lambda>
858
859The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
860
861=back 1073=back
862 1074
863=cut 1075=cut
864 1076
865package AnyEvent; 1077package AnyEvent;
866 1078
1079# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1080sub common_sense {
867no warnings; 1081 # no warnings
1082 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
868use strict qw(vars subs); 1083 # use strict vars subs
1084 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1085}
869 1086
1087BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1088
870use Carp; 1089use Carp ();
871 1090
872our $VERSION = 4.341; 1091our $VERSION = 4.881;
873our $MODEL; 1092our $MODEL;
874 1093
875our $AUTOLOAD; 1094our $AUTOLOAD;
876our @ISA; 1095our @ISA;
877 1096
878our @REGISTRY; 1097our @REGISTRY;
879 1098
880our $WIN32; 1099our $WIN32;
881 1100
1101our $VERBOSE;
1102
882BEGIN { 1103BEGIN {
883 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1104 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
884 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1105 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
885}
886 1106
1107 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1108 if ${^TAINT};
1109
887our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1110 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1111
1112}
1113
1114our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
888 1115
889our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1116our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
890 1117
891{ 1118{
892 my $idx; 1119 my $idx;
894 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1121 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
895 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1122 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
896} 1123}
897 1124
898my @models = ( 1125my @models = (
899 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1126 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
900 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1127 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
901 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1128 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
902 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1129 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
903 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1130 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
904 # and is usually faster 1131 # and is usually faster
1132 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1133 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1134 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
905 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1135 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
906 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
907 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
908 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1136 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
909 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1137 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
910 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1138 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
911 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1139 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1140 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1141 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1142 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1143 # obvious default class.
1144# [0, IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1145# [0, IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1146# [0, IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
912); 1147);
913 1148
914our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1149our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1150 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
915 1151
916our @post_detect; 1152our @post_detect;
917 1153
918sub post_detect(&) { 1154sub post_detect(&) {
919 my ($cb) = @_; 1155 my ($cb) = @_;
920 1156
921 if ($MODEL) { 1157 if ($MODEL) {
922 $cb->(); 1158 $cb->();
923 1159
924 1 1160 undef
925 } else { 1161 } else {
926 push @post_detect, $cb; 1162 push @post_detect, $cb;
927 1163
928 defined wantarray 1164 defined wantarray
929 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1165 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
930 : () 1166 : ()
931 } 1167 }
932} 1168}
933 1169
934sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1170sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
935 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1171 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
936} 1172}
937 1173
938sub detect() { 1174sub detect() {
939 unless ($MODEL) { 1175 unless ($MODEL) {
940 no strict 'refs';
941 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1176 local $SIG{__DIE__};
942 1177
943 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1178 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
944 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1179 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
945 if (eval "require $model") { 1180 if (eval "require $model") {
946 $MODEL = $model; 1181 $MODEL = $model;
947 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1182 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
948 } else { 1183 } else {
949 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1184 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
950 } 1185 }
951 } 1186 }
952 1187
953 # check for already loaded models 1188 # check for already loaded models
954 unless ($MODEL) { 1189 unless ($MODEL) {
955 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1190 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
956 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1191 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
957 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1192 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
958 if (eval "require $model") { 1193 if (eval "require $model") {
959 $MODEL = $model; 1194 $MODEL = $model;
960 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1195 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
961 last; 1196 last;
962 } 1197 }
963 } 1198 }
964 } 1199 }
965 1200
966 unless ($MODEL) { 1201 unless ($MODEL) {
967 # try to load a model 1202 # try to autoload a model
968
969 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1203 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
970 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1204 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1205 if (
1206 $autoload
971 if (eval "require $package" 1207 and eval "require $package"
972 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1208 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
973 and eval "require $model") { 1209 and eval "require $model"
1210 ) {
974 $MODEL = $model; 1211 $MODEL = $model;
975 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1212 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
976 last; 1213 last;
977 } 1214 }
978 } 1215 }
979 1216
980 $MODEL 1217 $MODEL
981 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1218 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
982 } 1219 }
983 } 1220 }
984 1221
985 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1222 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
986 1223
996 1233
997sub AUTOLOAD { 1234sub AUTOLOAD {
998 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1235 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
999 1236
1000 $method{$func} 1237 $method{$func}
1001 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1238 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
1002 1239
1003 detect unless $MODEL; 1240 detect unless $MODEL;
1004 1241
1005 my $class = shift; 1242 my $class = shift;
1006 $class->$func (@_); 1243 $class->$func (@_);
1007} 1244}
1008 1245
1009# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1246# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1010# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1247# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1011# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1248# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1012sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1249sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1013 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1250 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1014 1251
1015 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1252 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1016 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1253 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1017 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1018 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1019 1254
1020 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1255 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1021 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!"; 1256 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1022 1257
1023 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1258 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1024 1259
1025 ($fh2, $rw) 1260 ($fh2, $rw)
1026} 1261}
1027 1262
1028package AnyEvent::Base; 1263package AnyEvent::Base;
1029 1264
1030# default implementation for now and time 1265# default implementations for many methods
1031 1266
1032BEGIN { 1267sub _time {
1268 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1033 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); time (); 1") { 1269 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1270 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1034 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1271 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1035 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1272 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1036 } else { 1273 } else {
1274 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1037 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1275 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1038 } 1276 }
1277
1278 &_time
1039} 1279}
1040 1280
1041sub time { _time } 1281sub time { _time }
1042sub now { _time } 1282sub now { _time }
1283sub now_update { }
1043 1284
1044# default implementation for ->condvar 1285# default implementation for ->condvar
1045 1286
1046sub condvar { 1287sub condvar {
1047 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1288 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1048} 1289}
1049 1290
1050# default implementation for ->signal 1291# default implementation for ->signal
1051 1292
1293our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1294
1295sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1296 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1297 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.0 (); 1")
1298 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1299
1300 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1301}
1302
1052our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1303our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1304our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1305our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1053 1306
1054sub _signal_exec { 1307sub _signal_exec {
1308 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1309 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1310 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1311
1055 while (%SIG_EV) { 1312 while (%SIG_EV) {
1056 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4;
1057 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1313 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1058 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1314 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1059 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1315 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1060 } 1316 }
1061 } 1317 }
1062} 1318}
1063 1319
1320# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1321sub _sig_add() {
1322 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1323 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1324 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1325
1326 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1327 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1328 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1329 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1330 );
1331 }
1332}
1333
1334sub _sig_del {
1335 undef $SIG_TW
1336 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1337}
1338
1339our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1340 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1341 undef $_sig_name_init;
1342
1343 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1344 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1345 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1346 } else {
1347 require Config;
1348
1349 my %signame2num;
1350 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1351 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1352
1353 my @signum2name;
1354 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1355
1356 *sig2num = sub($) {
1357 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1358 };
1359 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1360 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1361 };
1362 }
1363 };
1364 die if $@;
1365};
1366
1367sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1368sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1369
1064sub signal { 1370sub signal {
1065 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1371 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1372 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1373 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1374 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1066 1375
1067 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1376 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1068 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) { 1377 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1069 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe (); 1378
1070 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1071 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1072 } else { 1379 } else {
1073 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1380 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1381
1074 require Fcntl; 1382 require Fcntl;
1383
1384 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1385 require AnyEvent::Util;
1386
1387 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1388 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1389 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1390 } else {
1391 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1075 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1392 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1076 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1393 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1394
1395 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1396 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1397 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1398 }
1399
1400 $SIGPIPE_R
1401 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1402
1403 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1077 } 1404 }
1078 1405
1079 $SIGPIPE_R 1406 *signal = sub {
1080 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1407 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1081 1408
1082 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1083 }
1084
1085 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1409 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
1086 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1410 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1087 1411
1412 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1413 # async::interrupt
1414
1415 $signal = sig2num $signal;
1088 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1416 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1417
1418 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1419 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1420 signal => $signal,
1421 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1422 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1423 ;
1424
1425 } else {
1426 # pure perl
1427
1428 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1429 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1430 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1431
1089 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1432 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1433 local $!;
1090 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1434 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1091 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1435 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1436 };
1437
1438 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1439 # so limit the signal latency.
1440 _sig_add;
1441 }
1442
1443 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1444 };
1445
1446 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1447 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1448
1449 _sig_del;
1450
1451 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1452
1453 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1454 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1455 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1456 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1457 # instead of getting the default action.
1458 undef $SIG{$signal}
1459 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1460 };
1092 }; 1461 };
1093 1462 die if $@;
1094 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1463 &signal
1095}
1096
1097sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
1098 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1099
1100 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1101
1102 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1103} 1464}
1104 1465
1105# default implementation for ->child 1466# default implementation for ->child
1106 1467
1107our %PID_CB; 1468our %PID_CB;
1108our $CHLD_W; 1469our $CHLD_W;
1109our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1470our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1110our $PID_IDLE;
1111our $WNOHANG; 1471our $WNOHANG;
1112 1472
1113sub _child_wait { 1473sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1114 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1474 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1475
1476 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1115 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1477 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1116 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1478 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1117 }
1118
1119 undef $PID_IDLE;
1120} 1479}
1121 1480
1122sub _sigchld { 1481sub _sigchld {
1123 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1482 my $pid;
1124 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1483
1125 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1484 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1126 &_child_wait; 1485 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1127 });
1128} 1486}
1129 1487
1130sub child { 1488sub child {
1131 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1489 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1132 1490
1133 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1491 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1134 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1492 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1135 1493
1136 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1494 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1137 1495
1138 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1496 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1497 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1498 ? 1
1139 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1499 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1140 }
1141 1500
1142 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1501 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1143 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1502 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
1144 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1503 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1145 &_sigchld; 1504 &_sigchld;
1146 } 1505 }
1147 1506
1148 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1507 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1149} 1508}
1150 1509
1151sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1510sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1152 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1511 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1153 1512
1154 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1513 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1155 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1514 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1156 1515
1157 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1516 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1158} 1517}
1159 1518
1519# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1520# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1521# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1522sub idle {
1523 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1524
1525 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1526
1527 $rcb = sub {
1528 if ($cb) {
1529 $w = _time;
1530 &$cb;
1531 $w = _time - $w;
1532
1533 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1534 # within some limits
1535 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1536 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1537
1538 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1539 } else {
1540 # clean up...
1541 undef $w;
1542 undef $rcb;
1543 }
1544 };
1545
1546 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1547
1548 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1549}
1550
1551sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1552 undef $${$_[0]};
1553}
1554
1160package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1555package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1161 1556
1162our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1557our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1163 1558
1164package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1559package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1165 1560
1166use overload 1561#use overload
1167 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1562# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1168 fallback => 1; 1563# fallback => 1;
1564
1565# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1566${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1567*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1568*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1569${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1570
1571our $WAITING;
1169 1572
1170sub _send { 1573sub _send {
1171 # nop 1574 # nop
1172} 1575}
1173 1576
1186sub ready { 1589sub ready {
1187 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1590 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1188} 1591}
1189 1592
1190sub _wait { 1593sub _wait {
1594 $WAITING
1595 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1596 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1597
1598 local $WAITING = 1;
1191 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1599 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1192} 1600}
1193 1601
1194sub recv { 1602sub recv {
1195 $_[0]->_wait; 1603 $_[0]->_wait;
1236so on. 1644so on.
1237 1645
1238=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1646=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1239 1647
1240The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1648The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1241submodules: 1649submodules.
1650
1651Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1652C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1653enabled.
1242 1654
1243=over 4 1655=over 4
1244 1656
1245=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1657=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1246 1658
1253C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1665C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1254 1666
1255When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1667When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1256model it chooses. 1668model it chooses.
1257 1669
1670When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1671which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1672
1258=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1673=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1259 1674
1260AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1675AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1261argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1676argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1262will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1677will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1263check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1678check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1264it will croak. 1679it will croak.
1265 1680
1266In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1681In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1267 1682
1268Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1683Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1269production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1684>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1270developing programs can be very useful, however. 1685C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1686can be very useful, however.
1271 1687
1272=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1688=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1273 1689
1274This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1690This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1275auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1691auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1318 1734
1319=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1735=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1320 1736
1321The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1737The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1322will create in parallel. 1738will create in parallel.
1739
1740=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1741
1742The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1743resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1744sent to the DNS server.
1745
1746=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1747
1748The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1749configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1750default config will be used.
1751
1752=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1753
1754When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1755L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1756variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1757instead of a system-dependent default.
1758
1759=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1760
1761When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1762loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1323 1763
1324=back 1764=back
1325 1765
1326=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1766=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1327 1767
1572 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2012 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1573 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2013 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1574 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2014 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1575 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2015 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1576 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2016 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2017 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2018 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1577 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2019 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1578 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2020 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1579 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2021 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1580 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2022 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1581 2023
1610performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2052performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1611them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2053them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1612 2054
1613The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2055The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1614cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2056cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2057
2058C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2059when using its pure perl backend.
1615 2060
1616C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2061C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1617faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2062faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1618C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2063C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1619watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2064watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1697it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2142it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1698a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2143a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1699 2144
1700=head3 Results 2145=head3 Results
1701 2146
1702 name sockets create request 2147 name sockets create request
1703 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2148 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1704 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2149 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2150 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2151 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1705 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2152 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1706 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2153 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1707 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2154 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1708 2155
1709=head3 Discussion 2156=head3 Discussion
1710 2157
1711This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2158This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1712particular event loop. 2159particular event loop.
1714EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2161EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1715is relatively high, though. 2162is relatively high, though.
1716 2163
1717Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2164Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1718loops Event and Glib. 2165loops Event and Glib.
2166
2167IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2168good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1719 2169
1720Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2170Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1721understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2171understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1722the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2172the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1723uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2173uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1786=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2236=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1787watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2237watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1788 2238
1789=back 2239=back
1790 2240
2241=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2242
2243Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2244could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2245simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2246shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2247fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2248very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2249baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2250
2251The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2252connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2253creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2254test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2255benchmark nevertheless.
2256
2257 name runtime
2258 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2259 + optimized 0.122 sec
2260 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2261 + optimized 0.138 sec
2262 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2263 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2264 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2265 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2266
2267 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2268 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2269 +state machine 0.134 sec
2270
2271The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2272benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2273defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2274written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2275AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2276resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2277generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2278connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2279
2280The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2281offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2282Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2283non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2284
2285As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2286hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2287backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2288
2289And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2290slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2291large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2292in a non-blocking way.
2293
2294The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2295F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2296part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2297
1791 2298
1792=head1 SIGNALS 2299=head1 SIGNALS
1793 2300
1794AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2301AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1795 2302
1798=item SIGCHLD 2305=item SIGCHLD
1799 2306
1800A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2307A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1801emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2308emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1802event loops install a similar handler. 2309event loops install a similar handler.
2310
2311Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2312AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1803 2313
1804=item SIGPIPE 2314=item SIGPIPE
1805 2315
1806A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2316A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1807when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2317when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1819 2329
1820=back 2330=back
1821 2331
1822=cut 2332=cut
1823 2333
2334undef $SIG{CHLD}
2335 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2336
1824$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2337$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1825 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2338 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2339
2340=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2341
2342One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2343it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2344
2345That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2346modules if they are installed.
2347
2348This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2349affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2350
2351=over 4
2352
2353=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2354
2355This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2356my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2357signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2358delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2359catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2360C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2361
2362If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2363catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2364will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2365battery life on laptops).
2366
2367This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2368that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2369
2370Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2371and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2372(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2373does nothing for those backends.
2374
2375=item L<EV>
2376
2377This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2378event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2379loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2380the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2381automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2382can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2383C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2384L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2385
2386=item L<Guard>
2387
2388The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2389C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2390lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2391purely used for performance.
2392
2393=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2394
2395This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2396L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2397advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2398
2399In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2400installed.
2401
2402=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2403
2404Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2405worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2406the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2407
2408=item L<Time::HiRes>
2409
2410This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2411chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2412pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2413try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2414
2415=back
1826 2416
1827 2417
1828=head1 FORK 2418=head1 FORK
1829 2419
1830Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2420Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1831because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2421because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1832calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2422calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1833 2423
1834If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2424If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1835watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2425watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2426something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1836 2427
1837 2428
1838=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2429=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1839 2430
1840AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2431AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1852 use AnyEvent; 2443 use AnyEvent;
1853 2444
1854Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2445Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1855be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2446be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1856probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2447probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1857$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2448$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2449
2450Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2451C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2452enabled.
1858 2453
1859 2454
1860=head1 BUGS 2455=head1 BUGS
1861 2456
1862Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2457Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1863to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2458to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1864and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying 2459and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1865mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as 2460memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1866pronounced). 2461pronounced).
1867 2462
1868 2463
1869=head1 SEE ALSO 2464=head1 SEE ALSO
1870 2465
1874L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2469L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1875 2470
1876Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2471Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1877L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2472L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1878L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2473L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1879L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2474L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1880 2475
1881Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2476Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1882servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2477servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1883 2478
1884Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2479Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1885 2480
1886Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2481Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2482L<Coro::Event>,
1887 2483
1888Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2484Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2485L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1889 2486
1890 2487
1891=head1 AUTHOR 2488=head1 AUTHOR
1892 2489
1893 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2490 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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