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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> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 189C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
174for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file 190for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
175handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 191handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
176non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 192non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
177most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files 193most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
178or block devices. 194or block devices.
320In 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
321can 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
322difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 338difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
323account. 339account.
324 340
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
325=back 356=back
326 357
327=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 358=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
328 359
329You 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
338invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 369invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
339that 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,
340but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 371but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
341 372
342The 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
343between multiple watchers. 374between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
375interrupt your program at bad times.
344 376
345This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 377This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
346directly will likely not work correctly. 378so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
379correctly.
347 380
348Example: exit on SIGINT 381Example: exit on SIGINT
349 382
350 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 383 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
351 384
385=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
386
387Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
388callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
389race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
390in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
391be delayed is specified in C<$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
352=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 401=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
353 402
354You 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.
355 404
356The 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,
357watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 406using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
358the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 407croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
359any trace events (stopped/continued). 408finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
409(stopped/continued).
360 410
361The 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
362waitpid), 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
363callback arguments. 413callback arguments.
364 414
369 419
370There 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
371I<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
372have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 422have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
373 423
374Not 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
375event 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
376loaded 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.
377 430
378This 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
379AnyEvent 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
380C<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.
381 439
382Example: fork a process and wait for it 440Example: fork a process and wait for it
383 441
384 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 442 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
385 443
395 ); 453 );
396 454
397 # do something else, then wait for process exit 455 # do something else, then wait for process exit
398 $done->recv; 456 $done->recv;
399 457
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
400=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 493=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
401 494
402If 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
403require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 496require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
404will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 497will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
405 498
406AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 499AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
407will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 500loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
408 501
409The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 502The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
410because they represent a condition that must become true. 503because they represent a condition that must become true.
411 504
505Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
506
412Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 507Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
413>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 508>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
414
415C<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
416becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 510becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
417the results). 511the results).
418 512
419After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 513After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
424Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 518Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
425optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 519optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
426in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 520in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
427another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 521another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
428used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 522used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
429a result. 523a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
524compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
430 525
431Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 526Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
432for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 527for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
433then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 528then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
434availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 529availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
468 after => 1, 563 after => 1,
469 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 564 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
470 ); 565 );
471 566
472 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 567 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
473 # calls send 568 # calls -<send
474 $result_ready->recv; 569 $result_ready->recv;
475 570
476Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 571Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
477condition variables are also code references. 572variables are also callable directly.
478 573
479 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 574 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
480 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 575 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
481 $done->recv; 576 $done->recv;
482 577
488 583
489 ... 584 ...
490 585
491 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 586 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
492 587
493And 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
494results are available: 589results are available:
495 590
496 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 591 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
497 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 592 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
498 }); 593 });
516immediately from within send. 611immediately from within send.
517 612
518Any 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
519future C<< ->recv >> calls. 614future C<< ->recv >> calls.
520 615
521Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 616Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
522(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
523C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 618C<send>.
524overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
525instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
526support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
527invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
528example).
529 619
530=item $cv->croak ($error) 620=item $cv->croak ($error)
531 621
532Similar 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
533C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 623C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
534 624
535This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 625This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
536user/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.
537 631
538=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 632=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
539 633
540=item $cv->end 634=item $cv->end
541
542These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
543 635
544These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 636These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
545one. 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
546to use a condition variable for the whole process. 638to use a condition variable for the whole process.
547 639
549C<< ->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
550>>, 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
551is 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
552callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 644callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
553 645
554Let'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:
555 677
556 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 678 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
557 679
558 my %result; 680 my %result;
559 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 681 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
579loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 701loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
580to 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
581C<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
582doesn't execute once). 704doesn't execute once).
583 705
584This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 706This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
585use 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
586is 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
587C<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>.
588 711
589=back 712=back
590 713
591=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 714=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
592 715
608function will call C<croak>. 731function will call C<croak>.
609 732
610In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 733In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
611in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 734in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
612 735
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
613Not 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
614(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
615using 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
616caller 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
617condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 747condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
618callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 748callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
619while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 749while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
620 750
621Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
622sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
623multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
624can supply.
625
626The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
627fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
628versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
629C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
630coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
631
632You 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
633only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 752only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
634time). 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
635waits otherwise. 754waits otherwise.
636 755
649variable 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
650is guaranteed not to block. 769is guaranteed not to block.
651 770
652=back 771=back
653 772
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
654=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 841=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
655 842
843These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
844write AnyEvent extension modules.
845
656=over 4 846=over 4
657 847
658=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 848=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
659 849
660Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 850Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
851backend has been autodetected.
852
661contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 853Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
662Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 854name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
663C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 855of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
664AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 856case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
665 857will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
666The known classes so far are:
667
668 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
669 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
670 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
671 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
672 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
673 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
674 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
675 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
676
677There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
678watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
679POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
680second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
681AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
682it's adaptor.
683
684AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
685autodetecting them.
686 858
687=item AnyEvent::detect 859=item AnyEvent::detect
688 860
689Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 861Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
690if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 862if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
691have 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
692runtime. 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>.
693 868
694=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 869=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
695 870
696Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 871Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
697autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 872autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
698 873
874The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
875(C<$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
699If 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
700that 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
701L<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 ||= $guard;
702 905
703=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 906=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
704 907
705If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 908If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
706before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 909before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
707the event loop has been chosen. 910the event loop has been chosen.
708 911
709You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 912You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
710if 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
711and the array will be ignored. 914array will be ignored.
712 915
713Best 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.
714 923
715=back 924=back
716 925
717=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 926=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
718 927
773 982
774 983
775=head1 OTHER MODULES 984=head1 OTHER MODULES
776 985
777The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 986The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
778AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 987AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
779in 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
780available via CPAN. 989come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
781 990
782=over 4 991=over 4
783 992
784=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 993=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
785 994
794 1003
795=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1004=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
796 1005
797Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1006Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
798supports 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
799non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1008non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
800 1009
801=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1010=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
802 1011
803Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1012Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
804 1013
832 1041
833=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1042=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
834 1043
835A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1044A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
836 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
837=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1055=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
838 1056
839A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1057A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
840L<App::IGS>). 1058L<App::IGS>).
841 1059
842=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
843
844AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
845
846=item L<Net::XMPP2>
847
848AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
849
850=item L<Net::FCP> 1060=item L<Net::FCP>
851 1061
852AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1062AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
853of AnyEvent. 1063of AnyEvent.
854 1064
858 1068
859=item L<Coro> 1069=item L<Coro>
860 1070
861Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1071Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
862 1072
863=item L<IO::Lambda>
864
865The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
866
867=back 1073=back
868 1074
869=cut 1075=cut
870 1076
871package AnyEvent; 1077package AnyEvent;
872 1078
1079# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1080sub common_sense {
873no warnings; 1081 # no warnings
1082 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
874use strict qw(vars subs); 1083 # use strict vars subs
1084 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1085}
875 1086
1087BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1088
876use Carp; 1089use Carp ();
877 1090
878our $VERSION = 4.35; 1091our $VERSION = 4.881;
879our $MODEL; 1092our $MODEL;
880 1093
881our $AUTOLOAD; 1094our $AUTOLOAD;
882our @ISA; 1095our @ISA;
883 1096
884our @REGISTRY; 1097our @REGISTRY;
885 1098
886our $WIN32; 1099our $WIN32;
887 1100
1101our $VERBOSE;
1102
888BEGIN { 1103BEGIN {
889 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1104 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
890 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1105 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
891}
892 1106
1107 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1108 if ${^TAINT};
1109
893our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1110 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1111
1112}
1113
1114our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
894 1115
895our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1116our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
896 1117
897{ 1118{
898 my $idx; 1119 my $idx;
900 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1121 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
901 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1122 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
902} 1123}
903 1124
904my @models = ( 1125my @models = (
905 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1126 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
906 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1127 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
907 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1128 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
908 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1129 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
909 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1130 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
910 # 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
911 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1135 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
912 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
913 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
914 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1136 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
915 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1137 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
916 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1138 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
917 [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
918); 1147);
919 1148
920our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1149our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1150 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
921 1151
922our @post_detect; 1152our @post_detect;
923 1153
924sub post_detect(&) { 1154sub post_detect(&) {
925 my ($cb) = @_; 1155 my ($cb) = @_;
926 1156
927 if ($MODEL) { 1157 if ($MODEL) {
928 $cb->(); 1158 $cb->();
929 1159
930 1 1160 undef
931 } else { 1161 } else {
932 push @post_detect, $cb; 1162 push @post_detect, $cb;
933 1163
934 defined wantarray 1164 defined wantarray
935 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1165 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
936 : () 1166 : ()
937 } 1167 }
938} 1168}
939 1169
940sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1170sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
941 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1171 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
942} 1172}
943 1173
944sub detect() { 1174sub detect() {
945 unless ($MODEL) { 1175 unless ($MODEL) {
946 no strict 'refs';
947 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1176 local $SIG{__DIE__};
948 1177
949 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1178 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
950 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1179 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
951 if (eval "require $model") { 1180 if (eval "require $model") {
952 $MODEL = $model; 1181 $MODEL = $model;
953 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$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 $VERBOSE >= 2;
954 } else { 1183 } else {
955 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1184 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
956 } 1185 }
957 } 1186 }
958 1187
959 # check for already loaded models 1188 # check for already loaded models
960 unless ($MODEL) { 1189 unless ($MODEL) {
961 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1190 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
962 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1191 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
963 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1192 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
964 if (eval "require $model") { 1193 if (eval "require $model") {
965 $MODEL = $model; 1194 $MODEL = $model;
966 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1195 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
967 last; 1196 last;
968 } 1197 }
969 } 1198 }
970 } 1199 }
971 1200
972 unless ($MODEL) { 1201 unless ($MODEL) {
973 # try to load a model 1202 # try to autoload a model
974
975 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1203 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
976 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1204 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1205 if (
1206 $autoload
977 if (eval "require $package" 1207 and eval "require $package"
978 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1208 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
979 and eval "require $model") { 1209 and eval "require $model"
1210 ) {
980 $MODEL = $model; 1211 $MODEL = $model;
981 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1212 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
982 last; 1213 last;
983 } 1214 }
984 } 1215 }
985 1216
986 $MODEL 1217 $MODEL
987 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1218 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
988 } 1219 }
989 } 1220 }
990 1221
991 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1222 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
992 1223
1002 1233
1003sub AUTOLOAD { 1234sub AUTOLOAD {
1004 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1235 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1005 1236
1006 $method{$func} 1237 $method{$func}
1007 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1238 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
1008 1239
1009 detect unless $MODEL; 1240 detect unless $MODEL;
1010 1241
1011 my $class = shift; 1242 my $class = shift;
1012 $class->$func (@_); 1243 $class->$func (@_);
1013} 1244}
1014 1245
1015# 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
1016# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1247# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1017# 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).
1018sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1249sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1019 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1250 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1020 1251
1021 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1252 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1022 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1253 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1023 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1024 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1025 1254
1026 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1255 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1027 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!"; 1256 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1028 1257
1029 # 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
1030 1259
1031 ($fh2, $rw) 1260 ($fh2, $rw)
1032} 1261}
1033 1262
1034package AnyEvent::Base; 1263package AnyEvent::Base;
1035 1264
1036# default implementation for now and time 1265# default implementations for many methods
1037 1266
1038BEGIN { 1267sub _time {
1268 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1039 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;
1040 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1271 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1041 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1272 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1042 } else { 1273 } else {
1274 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1043 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1275 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1044 } 1276 }
1277
1278 &_time
1045} 1279}
1046 1280
1047sub time { _time } 1281sub time { _time }
1048sub now { _time } 1282sub now { _time }
1283sub now_update { }
1049 1284
1050# default implementation for ->condvar 1285# default implementation for ->condvar
1051 1286
1052sub condvar { 1287sub condvar {
1053 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1288 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1054} 1289}
1055 1290
1056# default implementation for ->signal 1291# default implementation for ->signal
1057 1292
1293our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1058our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1294our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1295our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1296our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1059 1297
1060sub _signal_exec { 1298sub _signal_exec {
1299 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1300 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1061 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1301 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1062 1302
1063 while (%SIG_EV) { 1303 while (%SIG_EV) {
1064 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1304 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1065 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1305 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1066 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1306 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1067 } 1307 }
1068 } 1308 }
1069} 1309}
1070 1310
1311# install a dumym wakeupw atcher to reduce signal catching latency
1312sub _sig_add() {
1313 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1314 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1315 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1316
1317 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1318 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1319 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1320 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1321 );
1322 }
1323}
1324
1325sub _sig_del {
1326 undef $SIG_TW
1327 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1328}
1329
1330sub _signal {
1331 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1332
1333 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
1334 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1335
1336 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1337
1338 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1339 # async::interrupt
1340
1341 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= do {
1342 my $asy = new Async::Interrupt
1343 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1344 signal => $signal,
1345 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1346 ;
1347 $asy->pipe_autodrain (0);
1348
1349 $asy
1350 };
1351
1352 } else {
1353 # pure perl
1354
1355 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1356 local $!;
1357 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1358 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1359 };
1360
1361 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1362 # so limit the signal latency.
1363 _sig_add;
1364 }
1365
1366 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1367}
1368
1071sub signal { 1369sub signal {
1072 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1370 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1371 if (!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT} && eval "use Async::Interrupt 0.6 (); 1") {
1372 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1073 1373
1074 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1374 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1;
1375 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1376 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1377
1378 } else {
1379 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1380
1075 require Fcntl; 1381 require Fcntl;
1076 1382
1077 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) { 1383 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1078 require AnyEvent::Util; 1384 require AnyEvent::Util;
1079 1385
1082 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1388 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1083 } else { 1389 } else {
1084 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1390 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1085 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1391 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1086 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1392 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1393
1394 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1395 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1396 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1087 } 1397 }
1088 1398
1089 $SIGPIPE_R 1399 $SIGPIPE_R
1090 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1400 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1091 1401
1092 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1093 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1094
1095 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1402 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1096 } 1403 }
1097 1404
1098 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1405 *signal = \&_signal;
1099 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1406 &signal
1100
1101 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1102 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1103 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1104 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1105 };
1106
1107 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal"
1108} 1407}
1109 1408
1110sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1409sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1111 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1410 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1112 1411
1412 _sig_del;
1413
1113 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1414 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1114 1415
1416 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1417 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1418 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1419 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1420 # instead of getting the default action.
1421 undef $SIG{$signal}
1115 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1422 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1116} 1423}
1117 1424
1118# default implementation for ->child 1425# default implementation for ->child
1119 1426
1120our %PID_CB; 1427our %PID_CB;
1121our $CHLD_W; 1428our $CHLD_W;
1122our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1429our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1123our $PID_IDLE;
1124our $WNOHANG; 1430our $WNOHANG;
1125 1431
1126sub _child_wait { 1432sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1127 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1433 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1434
1435 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1128 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1436 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1129 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1437 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1130 }
1131
1132 undef $PID_IDLE;
1133} 1438}
1134 1439
1135sub _sigchld { 1440sub _sigchld {
1136 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1441 my $pid;
1137 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1442
1138 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1443 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1139 &_child_wait; 1444 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1140 });
1141} 1445}
1142 1446
1143sub child { 1447sub child {
1144 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1448 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1145 1449
1146 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1450 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1147 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1451 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1148 1452
1149 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1453 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1150 1454
1151 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1455 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1456 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1457 ? 1
1152 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1458 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1153 }
1154 1459
1155 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1460 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1156 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1461 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
1157 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1462 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1158 &_sigchld; 1463 &_sigchld;
1159 } 1464 }
1160 1465
1161 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1466 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1162} 1467}
1163 1468
1164sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1469sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1165 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1470 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1166 1471
1167 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1472 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1168 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1473 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1169 1474
1170 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1475 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1171} 1476}
1172 1477
1478# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1479# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1480# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1481sub idle {
1482 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1483
1484 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1485
1486 $rcb = sub {
1487 if ($cb) {
1488 $w = _time;
1489 &$cb;
1490 $w = _time - $w;
1491
1492 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1493 # within some limits
1494 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1495 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1496
1497 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1498 } else {
1499 # clean up...
1500 undef $w;
1501 undef $rcb;
1502 }
1503 };
1504
1505 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1506
1507 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1508}
1509
1510sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1511 undef $${$_[0]};
1512}
1513
1173package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1514package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1174 1515
1175our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1516our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1176 1517
1177package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1518package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1178 1519
1179use overload 1520#use overload
1180 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1521# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1181 fallback => 1; 1522# fallback => 1;
1523
1524# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1525${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1526*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1527*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1528${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1529
1530our $WAITING;
1182 1531
1183sub _send { 1532sub _send {
1184 # nop 1533 # nop
1185} 1534}
1186 1535
1199sub ready { 1548sub ready {
1200 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1549 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1201} 1550}
1202 1551
1203sub _wait { 1552sub _wait {
1553 $WAITING
1554 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1555 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1556
1557 local $WAITING = 1;
1204 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1558 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1205} 1559}
1206 1560
1207sub recv { 1561sub recv {
1208 $_[0]->_wait; 1562 $_[0]->_wait;
1249so on. 1603so on.
1250 1604
1251=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1605=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1252 1606
1253The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1607The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1254submodules: 1608submodules.
1609
1610Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1611C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1612enabled.
1255 1613
1256=over 4 1614=over 4
1257 1615
1258=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1616=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1259 1617
1266C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1624C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1267 1625
1268When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1626When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1269model it chooses. 1627model it chooses.
1270 1628
1629When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1630which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1631
1271=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1632=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1272 1633
1273AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1634AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1274argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1635argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1275will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1636will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1276check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1637check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1277it will croak. 1638it will croak.
1278 1639
1279In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1640In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1280 1641
1281Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1642Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1282production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1643>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1283developing programs can be very useful, however. 1644C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1645can be very useful, however.
1284 1646
1285=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1647=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1286 1648
1287This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1649This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1288auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1650auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1331 1693
1332=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1694=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1333 1695
1334The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1696The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1335will create in parallel. 1697will create in parallel.
1698
1699=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1700
1701The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1702resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1703sent to the DNS server.
1704
1705=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1706
1707The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1708configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1709default config will be used.
1710
1711=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1712
1713When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1714L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1715variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1716instead of a system-dependent default.
1717
1718=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1719
1720When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1721loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1336 1722
1337=back 1723=back
1338 1724
1339=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1725=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1340 1726
1585 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1971 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1586 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1972 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1587 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 1973 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1588 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 1974 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1589 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1975 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1976 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1977 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1590 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 1978 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1591 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1979 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1592 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 1980 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1593 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 1981 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1594 1982
1623performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2011performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1624them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2012them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1625 2013
1626The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2014The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1627cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2015cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2016
2017C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2018when using its pure perl backend.
1628 2019
1629C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2020C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1630faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2021faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1631C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2022C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1632watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2023watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1710it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2101it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1711a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2102a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1712 2103
1713=head3 Results 2104=head3 Results
1714 2105
1715 name sockets create request 2106 name sockets create request
1716 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2107 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1717 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2108 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2109 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2110 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1718 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2111 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1719 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2112 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1720 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2113 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1721 2114
1722=head3 Discussion 2115=head3 Discussion
1723 2116
1724This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2117This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1725particular event loop. 2118particular event loop.
1727EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2120EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1728is relatively high, though. 2121is relatively high, though.
1729 2122
1730Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2123Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1731loops Event and Glib. 2124loops Event and Glib.
2125
2126IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2127good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1732 2128
1733Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2129Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1734understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2130understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1735the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2131the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1736uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2132uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1799=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2195=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1800watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2196watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1801 2197
1802=back 2198=back
1803 2199
2200=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2201
2202Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2203could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2204simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2205shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2206fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2207very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2208baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2209
2210The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2211connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2212creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2213test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2214benchmark nevertheless.
2215
2216 name runtime
2217 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2218 + optimized 0.122 sec
2219 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2220 + optimized 0.138 sec
2221 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2222 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2223 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2224 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2225
2226 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2227 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2228 +state machine 0.134 sec
2229
2230The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2231benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2232defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2233written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2234AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2235resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2236generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2237connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2238
2239The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2240offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2241Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2242non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2243
2244As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2245hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2246backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2247
2248And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2249slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2250large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2251in a non-blocking way.
2252
2253The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2254F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2255part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2256
1804 2257
1805=head1 SIGNALS 2258=head1 SIGNALS
1806 2259
1807AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2260AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1808 2261
1811=item SIGCHLD 2264=item SIGCHLD
1812 2265
1813A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2266A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1814emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2267emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1815event loops install a similar handler. 2268event loops install a similar handler.
2269
2270Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2271AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1816 2272
1817=item SIGPIPE 2273=item SIGPIPE
1818 2274
1819A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2275A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1820when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2276when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1832 2288
1833=back 2289=back
1834 2290
1835=cut 2291=cut
1836 2292
2293undef $SIG{CHLD}
2294 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2295
1837$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2296$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1838 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2297 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2298
2299=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2300
2301One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2302it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2303
2304That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2305modules if they are installed.
2306
2307This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2308affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2309
2310=over 4
2311
2312=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2313
2314This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2315my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2316signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2317delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2318catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2319C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2320
2321If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2322catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2323will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2324battery life on laptops).
2325
2326This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2327that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2328
2329Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2330and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2331(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2332does nothing for those backends.
2333
2334=item L<EV>
2335
2336This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2337event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2338loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2339the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2340automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2341can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2342C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2343L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2344
2345=item L<Guard>
2346
2347The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2348C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2349lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2350purely used for performance.
2351
2352=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2353
2354This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2355L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2356advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2357
2358In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2359installed.
2360
2361=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2362
2363Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2364worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2365the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2366
2367=item L<Time::HiRes>
2368
2369This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2370chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2371pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2372try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2373
2374=back
1839 2375
1840 2376
1841=head1 FORK 2377=head1 FORK
1842 2378
1843Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2379Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1844because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2380because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1845calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2381calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1846 2382
1847If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2383If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1848watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2384watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2385something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1849 2386
1850 2387
1851=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2388=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1852 2389
1853AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2390AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1865 use AnyEvent; 2402 use AnyEvent;
1866 2403
1867Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2404Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1868be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2405be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1869probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2406probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1870$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2407$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2408
2409Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2410C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2411enabled.
1871 2412
1872 2413
1873=head1 BUGS 2414=head1 BUGS
1874 2415
1875Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2416Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1887L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2428L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1888 2429
1889Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2430Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1890L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2431L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1891L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2432L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1892L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2433L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1893 2434
1894Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2435Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1895servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2436servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1896 2437
1897Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2438Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1898 2439
1899Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2440Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2441L<Coro::Event>,
1900 2442
1901Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2443Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2444L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1902 2445
1903 2446
1904=head1 AUTHOR 2447=head1 AUTHOR
1905 2448
1906 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2449 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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