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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 and POE are various supported 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6event loops. 6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
7 7
8=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
9 9
10 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
11 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
12 # file descriptor readable 15 # file handle or descriptor readable
13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14 17
15 # one-shot or repeating timers 18 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
18 21
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21 24
22 # POSIX signal 25 # POSIX signal
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41 44
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
45 58
46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
47 60
48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
65module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
66model you use. 79model you use.
67 80
68For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
69actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 82actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
70like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
73module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
74 87
75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
76fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
77with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 90with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
78your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 91uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
80event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
83 96
84In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
85model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
86modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
87follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
88offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
89technically possible. 102technically possible.
90 103
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
98useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
99model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
100 113
101=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
102 115
103L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
104allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
105users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
106peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
107 120
108The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
109module. 122module.
110 123
111During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
112to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
113following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
114L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
115L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
116to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
117adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
118be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
119found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
120very efficient, but should work everywhere.
121 132
122Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
123an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
124that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
125 136
127 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
128 139
129 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
130 141
131The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
132starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
134 146
135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
138 150
147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
148is in control). 160is in control).
149 161
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops. 166widely between event loops.
155 167
156To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
157variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
158to it). 170to it).
159 171
160All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
161 173
162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
164 176
165An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
166 178
167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
169 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
170 }); 182 });
173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
174declared. 186declared.
175 187
176=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
177 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
178You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
180 198
181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
182for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file 200for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
183handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 201handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
184non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 202non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
185most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files 203most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
186or block devices. 204or block devices.
196 214
197The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
198You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
199underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
200 218
201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
203handles. 221handles.
204 222
205Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
206watcher. 224watcher.
211 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
212 }); 230 });
213 231
214=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
215 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
216You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
217method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
218 244
219C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
220supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
222 248
223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
226 252
227The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
232 258
233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
235only approximate. 261only approximate.
236 262
237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238 264
239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
257 283
258While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
259use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
260"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
261the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
262fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
263 289
264AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
265about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
266on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
267timers. 293timers.
268 294
269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
270AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
292I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
293function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294 320
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
298 324
299The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
300with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
301 327
302For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304 330
305The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
308second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires 334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
309after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
310 336
341might affect timers and time-outs. 367might affect timers and time-outs.
342 368
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the 369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time". 370event loop's idea of "current time".
345 371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled. 379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347 380
348=back 381=back
349 382
350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
351 386
352You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
353I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
355 390
361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
362that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
364 399
365The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
366between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
367 403
368This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
369directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
370 407
371Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
372 409
373 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
374 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
376 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
377You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
378 454
379The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
381the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
382any trace events (stopped/continued). 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
459(stopped/continued).
383 460
384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
385waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments. 463callback arguments.
387 464
403 480
404This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
405thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
406watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
407C<AnyEvent::detect>). 484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
488mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
408 489
409Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
410 491
411 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
412 493
424 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
425 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
426 507
427=head2 IDLE WATCHERS 508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
428 509
429Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important 510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
430to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
431"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
432attention by the event loop".
433 511
434Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing 512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
435better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new 513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
436events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
437 514
438Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
439EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
440will simply call the callback "from time to time". 526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
441 527
442Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the 528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
443program is otherwise idle: 529program is otherwise idle:
459 }); 545 });
460 }); 546 });
461 547
462=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
463 549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
554
464If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
465require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
466will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
467 558
468AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
469will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
470 561
471The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
472because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
473 566
474Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
475>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
476
477C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
478becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
479the results). 571the results).
480 572
481After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
482by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
483were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
484->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
485 577
486Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
487optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
488in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
489another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
490used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
491a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
492 601
493Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
494for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
495then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
496availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
509 618
510Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
511used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
512easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
513AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
514it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
515 624
516There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
517eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
518for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
519 628
520Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
521 630
522 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
523 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
524 633
525 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
526 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
527 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
528 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
529 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
530 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
531 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
532 ); 641 );
533 642
534 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
535 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
536 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
537 646
538Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
539condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
540 649
541 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
542 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
543 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
544 653
550 659
551 ... 660 ...
552 661
553 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
554 663
555And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
556results are available: 665results are available:
557 666
558 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
559 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
560 }); 669 });
578immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
579 688
580Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
581future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
582 691
583Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
584(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
585C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
586overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
587instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
588support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
589invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
590example).
591 695
592=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
593 697
594Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
595C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
596 700
597This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
598user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
599 707
600=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
601 709
602=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
603
604These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
605 711
606These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
607one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
608to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
609 715
610Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
611C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
612>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
613is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
614callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
615 722
616Let's clarify this with the ping example: 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
726
727Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
728STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
729close before activating a condvar:
617 730
618 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
619 732
733 $cv->begin; # first watcher
734 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
735 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
736 or $cv->end;
737 });
738
739 $cv->begin; # second watcher
740 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
741 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
742 or $cv->end;
743 });
744
745 $cv->recv;
746
747This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
749sending.
750
751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
753begun can potentially be zero:
754
755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
756
620 my %result; 757 my %result;
621 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
622 759
623 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
624 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
625 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
626 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
641loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
642to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
643C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
644doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
645 782
646This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
647use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
648is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
649C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
787call C<end>.
650 788
651=back 789=back
652 790
653=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
654 792
658=over 4 796=over 4
659 797
660=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
661 799
662Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
663>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
664normally. 802normally.
665 803
666You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
667will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
668 806
670function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
671 809
672In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
673in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
674 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
675Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
676(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
677using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
678caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
679condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
680callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
681while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
682 827
683Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
684sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
685multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
686can supply.
687
688The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
689fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
690versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
691C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
692coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
693
694You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
695only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
696time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
697waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
698 832
699=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
705 839
706This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
707replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
708 842
709The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
710C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
711variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
712is guaranteed not to block. 846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
713 848
714=back 849=back
715 850
851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
852
853The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
854
855=over 4
856
857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
858
859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
862AnyEvent itself.
863
864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
866
867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
868
869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
882
883=item Backends with special needs.
884
885Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
886otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
887instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
888everything should just work.
889
890 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
891
892=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
893
894Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
895
896There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
897
898B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
899use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
900polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
901consider for AnyEvent.
902
903B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
904backend, so it can be supported through POE.
905
906AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
907load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
908in which case everything will be automatic.
909
910=back
911
716=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 912=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
717 913
914These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
915write AnyEvent extension modules.
916
718=over 4 917=over 4
719 918
720=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 919=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
721 920
722Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 921Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
922backend has been autodetected.
923
723contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 924Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
724Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 925name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
725C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 926of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
726AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 927case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
727 928will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
728The known classes so far are:
729
730 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
731 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
732 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
733 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
734 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
735 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
736 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
737 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
738
739 # warning, support for IO::Async is only partial, as it is too broken
740 # and limited toe ven support the AnyEvent API. See AnyEvent::Impl::Async.
741 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
742
743There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
744watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
745POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
746second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
747AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
748it's adaptor.
749
750AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
751autodetecting them.
752 929
753=item AnyEvent::detect 930=item AnyEvent::detect
754 931
755Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 932Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
756if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 933if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
757have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 934have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
758runtime. 935runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
936
937If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
938created, use C<post_detect>.
759 939
760=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 940=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
761 941
762Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 942Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
763autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 943autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
944
945The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
946(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
947created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
948other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
949L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
950
951The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
952event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
953and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
954avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
764 955
765If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 956If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
766that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 957that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
958C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
767L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 959a case where this is useful.
960
961Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
962C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
963
964 our WATCHER;
965
966 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
967 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
968 };
969
970 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
971 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
972 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
973 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
974
975 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
768 976
769=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 977=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
770 978
771If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 979If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
772before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 980before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
773the event loop has been chosen. 981after the event loop has been chosen.
774 982
775You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 983You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
776if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 984if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
777and the array will be ignored. 985array will be ignored.
778 986
779Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 987Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
988it, as it takes care of these details.
989
990This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
991when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
992not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
993into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
994
995Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
996together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
997Coro to accomplish this):
998
999 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1000 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1001 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1002 } else {
1003 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1004 # as soon as it is
1005 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1006 }
780 1007
781=back 1008=back
782 1009
783=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1010=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
784 1011
795because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1022because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
796events is to stay interactive. 1023events is to stay interactive.
797 1024
798It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1025It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
799requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1026requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
800called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1027called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
801freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1028freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
802 1029
803=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1030=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
804 1031
805There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1032There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
806dictate which event model to use. 1033dictate which event model to use.
807 1034
808If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1035If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
809do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1036when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
810decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1037uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1038to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1039available loop implementation.
811 1040
812If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1041If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
813Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1042Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
814event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1043event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
815speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1044speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
816modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1045modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
817decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1046decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
818might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1047might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
819 1048
820You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1049You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
821C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1050C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
822everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1051everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
823 1052
839 1068
840 1069
841=head1 OTHER MODULES 1070=head1 OTHER MODULES
842 1071
843The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1072The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
844AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1073AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
845in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1074modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
846available via CPAN. 1075come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
847 1076
848=over 4 1077=over 4
849 1078
850=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1079=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
851 1080
852Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1081Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
853functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1082functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
854 1083
855=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1084=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
856 1085
857Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1086Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
858addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1087addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
860 1089
861=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1090=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
862 1091
863Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1092Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
864supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1093supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
865non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1094non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
866 1095
867=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1096=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
868 1097
869Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1098Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
870 1099
1100=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1101
1102Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1103the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1104Client Protocol).
1105
1106=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1107
1108Here be danger!
1109
1110As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1111there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1112its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1113the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1114
1115It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1116confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1117fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1118with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1119packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1120support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1121wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1122
871=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1123=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
872 1124
873A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1125Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
874HTTP requests. 1126notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1127
1128=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1129
1130Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1131toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1132L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1133file I/O, and much more.
875 1134
876=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1135=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
877 1136
878Provides a simple web application server framework. 1137A simple embedded webserver.
879 1138
880=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1139=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
881 1140
882The fastest ping in the west. 1141The fastest ping in the west.
883 1142
884=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
885
886Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
887
888=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
889
890Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
891programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
892together.
893
894=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
895
896Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
897L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
898
899=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
900
901A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
902
903=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
904
905A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
906L<App::IGS>).
907
908=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
909
910AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
911
912=item L<Net::XMPP2>
913
914AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
915
916=item L<Net::FCP>
917
918AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
919of AnyEvent.
920
921=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
922
923High level API for event-based execution flow control.
924
925=item L<Coro> 1143=item L<Coro>
926 1144
927Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1145Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
928 1146
929=item L<IO::Lambda>
930
931The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
932
933=back 1147=back
934 1148
935=cut 1149=cut
936 1150
937package AnyEvent; 1151package AnyEvent;
938 1152
939no warnings; 1153# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
940use strict qw(vars subs); 1154sub common_sense {
1155 # from common:.sense 3.3
1156 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1157 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1158 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1159}
941 1160
1161BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1162
942use Carp; 1163use Carp ();
943 1164
944our $VERSION = 4.412; 1165our $VERSION = '5.29';
945our $MODEL; 1166our $MODEL;
946 1167
947our $AUTOLOAD; 1168our $AUTOLOAD;
948our @ISA; 1169our @ISA;
949 1170
950our @REGISTRY; 1171our @REGISTRY;
951 1172
952our $WIN32; 1173our $VERBOSE;
953 1174
954BEGIN { 1175BEGIN {
955 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }"; 1176 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1177
956 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }"; 1178 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
957 1179
958 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} 1180 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
959 if ${^TAINT}; 1181 if ${^TAINT};
960}
961 1182
962our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1183 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1184
1185}
1186
1187our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
963 1188
964our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1189our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
965 1190
966{ 1191{
967 my $idx; 1192 my $idx;
969 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1194 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
970 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1195 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
971} 1196}
972 1197
973my @models = ( 1198my @models = (
974 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1199 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
975 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
976 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1200 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
977 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1201 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
978 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1202 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
979 # and is usually faster 1203 # and is usually faster
1204 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1205 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1206 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1207 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
980 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1208 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
981 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
982 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
983 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1209 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
984 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1210 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
985 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1211 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
986 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1212 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
987 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workaorunds for its
988 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
989 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
990 # obvious default class.
991# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
992# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1213 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::],
993# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
994); 1214);
995 1215
996our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1216our %method = map +($_ => 1),
997 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY); 1217 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
998 1218
999our @post_detect; 1219our @post_detect;
1000 1220
1001sub post_detect(&) { 1221sub post_detect(&) {
1002 my ($cb) = @_; 1222 my ($cb) = @_;
1003 1223
1004 if ($MODEL) {
1005 $cb->();
1006
1007 1
1008 } else {
1009 push @post_detect, $cb; 1224 push @post_detect, $cb;
1010 1225
1011 defined wantarray 1226 defined wantarray
1012 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect" 1227 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1013 : () 1228 : ()
1014 }
1015} 1229}
1016 1230
1017sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY { 1231sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1018 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1232 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1019} 1233}
1020 1234
1021sub detect() { 1235sub detect() {
1236 # free some memory
1237 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1238
1239 local $!; # for good measure
1240 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1241
1242 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1243 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1244 if (eval "require $model") {
1245 $MODEL = $model;
1246 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1247 } else {
1248 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1249 }
1250 }
1251
1252 # check for already loaded models
1022 unless ($MODEL) { 1253 unless ($MODEL) {
1023 no strict 'refs'; 1254 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1024 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1255 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1025 1256 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
1026 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1027 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1028 if (eval "require $model") { 1257 if (eval "require $model") {
1029 $MODEL = $model; 1258 $MODEL = $model;
1030 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1259 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1031 } else { 1260 last;
1032 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1261 }
1033 } 1262 }
1034 } 1263 }
1035 1264
1036 # check for already loaded models
1037 unless ($MODEL) { 1265 unless ($MODEL) {
1266 # try to autoload a model
1038 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1267 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1039 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1268 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1269 if (
1270 $autoload
1271 and eval "require $package"
1040 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1272 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1041 if (eval "require $model") { 1273 and eval "require $model"
1274 ) {
1042 $MODEL = $model; 1275 $MODEL = $model;
1043 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1276 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1044 last; 1277 last;
1045 }
1046 } 1278 }
1047 } 1279 }
1048 1280
1049 unless ($MODEL) {
1050 # try to load a model
1051
1052 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1053 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1054 if (eval "require $package"
1055 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1056 and eval "require $model") {
1057 $MODEL = $model;
1058 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
1059 last;
1060 }
1061 }
1062
1063 $MODEL 1281 $MODEL
1064 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n"; 1282 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?\n";
1065 }
1066 } 1283 }
1067
1068 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1069
1070 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1071
1072 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1073
1074 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1075 } 1284 }
1285
1286 @models = (); # free probe data
1287
1288 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1289 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1290
1291 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1292 # SUPER is not allowed.
1293 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1294 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1295 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1296 }
1297
1298 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1299 eval { require AnyEvent::Strict };
1300 warn "AnyEvent: cannot load AnyEvent::Strict: $@"
1301 if $@ && $VERBOSE;
1302 }
1303
1304 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1305
1306 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1307 shift->();
1308
1309 undef
1310 };
1076 1311
1077 $MODEL 1312 $MODEL
1078} 1313}
1079 1314
1080sub AUTOLOAD { 1315sub AUTOLOAD {
1081 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1316 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1082 1317
1083 $method{$func} 1318 $method{$func}
1084 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1319 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
1085 1320
1086 detect unless $MODEL; 1321 detect;
1087 1322
1088 my $class = shift; 1323 my $class = shift;
1089 $class->$func (@_); 1324 $class->$func (@_);
1090} 1325}
1091 1326
1094# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1329# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1095sub _dupfh($$;$$) { 1330sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1096 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1331 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1097 1332
1098 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1333 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1099 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1334 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1100 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1101 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1102 1335
1103 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1336 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1104 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!,"; 1337 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1105 1338
1106 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1339 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1107 1340
1108 ($fh2, $rw) 1341 ($fh2, $rw)
1109} 1342}
1110 1343
1344=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1345
1346Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1347simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1348overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1349
1350See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1351
1352=cut
1353
1354package AE;
1355
1356our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1357
1358# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1359# implementations can overwrite these.
1360
1361sub io($$$) {
1362 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1363}
1364
1365sub timer($$$) {
1366 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1367}
1368
1369sub signal($$) {
1370 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1371}
1372
1373sub child($$) {
1374 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1375}
1376
1377sub idle($) {
1378 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1379}
1380
1381sub cv(;&) {
1382 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1383}
1384
1385sub now() {
1386 AnyEvent->now
1387}
1388
1389sub now_update() {
1390 AnyEvent->now_update
1391}
1392
1393sub time() {
1394 AnyEvent->time
1395}
1396
1111package AnyEvent::Base; 1397package AnyEvent::Base;
1112 1398
1113# default implementations for many methods 1399# default implementations for many methods
1114 1400
1115BEGIN { 1401sub time {
1402 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1403 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1116 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") { 1404 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1405 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1117 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1406 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1118 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1407 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1119 } else { 1408 } else {
1409 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1120 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1410 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1411 }
1412
1413 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1414 };
1415 die if $@;
1416
1417 &time
1418}
1419
1420*now = \&time;
1421
1422sub now_update { }
1423
1424# default implementation for ->condvar
1425
1426sub condvar {
1427 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1428 *condvar = sub {
1429 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1430 };
1431
1432 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1433 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1434 };
1435 };
1436 die if $@;
1437
1438 &condvar
1439}
1440
1441# default implementation for ->signal
1442
1443our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1444
1445sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1446 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1447 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1448 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1449
1450 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1451}
1452
1453our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1454our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1455our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1456
1457# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1458# used by Impls
1459sub _sig_add() {
1460 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1461 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1462 my $NOW = AE::now;
1463
1464 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1465 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1466 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1467 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1468 ;
1121 } 1469 }
1122} 1470}
1123 1471
1124sub time { _time } 1472sub _sig_del {
1125sub now { _time } 1473 undef $SIG_TW
1126sub now_update { } 1474 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1127
1128# default implementation for ->condvar
1129
1130sub condvar {
1131 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1132} 1475}
1133 1476
1134# default implementation for ->signal 1477our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1478 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1479 undef $_sig_name_init;
1135 1480
1136our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1481 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1482 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1483 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1484 } else {
1485 require Config;
1137 1486
1138sub _signal_exec { 1487 my %signame2num;
1139 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1488 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1489 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1140 1490
1141 while (%SIG_EV) { 1491 my @signum2name;
1142 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1492 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1143 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1493
1144 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1494 *sig2num = sub($) {
1495 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1496 };
1497 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1498 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1499 };
1145 } 1500 }
1146 } 1501 };
1147} 1502 die if $@;
1503};
1504
1505sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1506sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1148 1507
1149sub signal { 1508sub signal {
1150 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1509 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1510 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1511 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1512 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1151 1513
1152 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1514 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1153 require Fcntl; 1515 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1154 1516
1155 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1156 require AnyEvent::Util;
1157
1158 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1159 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1160 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1161 } else { 1517 } else {
1518 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1519
1520 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1521 require AnyEvent::Util;
1522
1523 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1524 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1525 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1526 } else {
1162 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1527 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1163 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1528 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1164 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1529 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1165 1530
1166 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1531 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1167 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1532 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1168 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1533 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1534 }
1535
1536 $SIGPIPE_R
1537 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1538
1539 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1169 } 1540 }
1170 1541
1171 $SIGPIPE_R 1542 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1172 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1543 ? sub {
1544 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1173 1545
1174 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1546 # async::interrupt
1175 }
1176
1177 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1547 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1178 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1179
1180 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1548 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1549
1550 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1551 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1552 signal => $signal,
1553 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1554 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1555 ;
1556
1557 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1558 }
1559 : sub {
1560 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1561
1562 # pure perl
1563 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1564 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1565
1181 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1566 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1182 local $!; 1567 local $!;
1183 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1568 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1184 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1569 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1570 };
1571
1572 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1573 # so limit the signal latency.
1574 _sig_add;
1575
1576 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1577 }
1578 ;
1579
1580 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1581 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1582
1583 _sig_del;
1584
1585 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1586
1587 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1588 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1589 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1590 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1591 # instead of getting the default action.
1592 undef $SIG{$signal}
1593 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1594 };
1595
1596 *_signal_exec = sub {
1597 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1598 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1599 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1600
1601 while (%SIG_EV) {
1602 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1603 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1604 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1605 }
1606 }
1607 };
1185 }; 1608 };
1609 die if $@;
1186 1610
1187 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal" 1611 &signal
1188}
1189
1190sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1191 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1192
1193 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1194
1195 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1196 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1197 # instead of getting the default action.
1198 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1199} 1612}
1200 1613
1201# default implementation for ->child 1614# default implementation for ->child
1202 1615
1203our %PID_CB; 1616our %PID_CB;
1204our $CHLD_W; 1617our $CHLD_W;
1205our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1618our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1206our $WNOHANG;
1207 1619
1208sub _sigchld { 1620# used by many Impl's
1209 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1621sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1622 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1623
1624 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1210 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1625 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1211 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1626 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1212 }
1213} 1627}
1214 1628
1215sub child { 1629sub child {
1630 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1631 *_sigchld = sub {
1632 my $pid;
1633
1634 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1635 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1636 };
1637
1638 *child = sub {
1216 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1639 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1217 1640
1218 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1641 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1219 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1642 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1220 1643
1221 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1644 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1222 1645
1223 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1224
1225 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1646 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1226 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1647 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1227 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1648 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1228 &_sigchld; 1649 &_sigchld;
1229 } 1650 }
1230 1651
1231 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child" 1652 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1232} 1653 };
1233 1654
1234sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY { 1655 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1235 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1656 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1236 1657
1237 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1658 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1238 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1659 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1239 1660
1240 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1661 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1662 };
1663 };
1664 die if $@;
1665
1666 &child
1241} 1667}
1242 1668
1243# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless 1669# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1244# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting 1670# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1245# the callback use more than 50% of the time. 1671# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1246sub idle { 1672sub idle {
1673 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1674 *idle = sub {
1247 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1675 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1248 1676
1249 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb}; 1677 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1250 1678
1251 $rcb = sub { 1679 $rcb = sub {
1252 if ($cb) { 1680 if ($cb) {
1253 $w = _time; 1681 $w = _time;
1254 &$cb; 1682 &$cb;
1255 $w = _time - $w; 1683 $w = _time - $w;
1256 1684
1257 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher, 1685 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1258 # within some limits 1686 # within some limits
1259 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001; 1687 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1260 $w = 5 if $w > 5; 1688 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1261 1689
1262 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb); 1690 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1263 } else { 1691 } else {
1264 # clean up... 1692 # clean up...
1265 undef $w; 1693 undef $w;
1266 undef $rcb; 1694 undef $rcb;
1695 }
1696 };
1697
1698 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1699
1700 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1267 } 1701 };
1702
1703 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1704 undef $${$_[0]};
1705 };
1268 }; 1706 };
1707 die if $@;
1269 1708
1270 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb); 1709 &idle
1271
1272 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1273}
1274
1275sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1276 undef $${$_[0]};
1277} 1710}
1278 1711
1279package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1712package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1280 1713
1281our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1714our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1282 1715
1716# only to be used for subclassing
1717sub new {
1718 my $class = shift;
1719 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1720}
1721
1283package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1722package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1284 1723
1285use overload 1724#use overload
1286 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1725# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1287 fallback => 1; 1726# fallback => 1;
1727
1728# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1729${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1730*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1731*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1732${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1733
1734our $WAITING;
1288 1735
1289sub _send { 1736sub _send {
1290 # nop 1737 # nop
1291} 1738}
1292 1739
1305sub ready { 1752sub ready {
1306 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1753 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1307} 1754}
1308 1755
1309sub _wait { 1756sub _wait {
1757 $WAITING
1758 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1759 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1760
1761 local $WAITING = 1;
1310 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1762 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1311} 1763}
1312 1764
1313sub recv { 1765sub recv {
1314 $_[0]->_wait; 1766 $_[0]->_wait;
1316 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1768 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1317 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1769 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1318} 1770}
1319 1771
1320sub cb { 1772sub cb {
1321 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1773 my $cv = shift;
1774
1775 @_
1776 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1777 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1778 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1779
1322 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1780 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1323} 1781}
1324 1782
1325sub begin { 1783sub begin {
1326 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1784 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1327 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1785 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1376C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1834C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1377 1835
1378When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1836When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1379model it chooses. 1837model it chooses.
1380 1838
1839When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1840which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1841
1381=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1842=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1382 1843
1383AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1844AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1384argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1845argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1385will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1846will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1386check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems, 1847check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1387it will croak. 1848it will croak.
1388 1849
1389In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1850In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1390 1851
1391Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in 1852Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1392production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1853>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1393developing programs can be very useful, however. 1854C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1855can be very useful, however.
1394 1856
1395=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1857=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1396 1858
1397This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1859This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1398auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1860auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1441 1903
1442=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1904=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1443 1905
1444The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1906The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1445will create in parallel. 1907will create in parallel.
1908
1909=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1910
1911The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1912resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1913sent to the DNS server.
1914
1915=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1916
1917The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1918configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1919default config will be used.
1920
1921=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1922
1923When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1924L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1925variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1926instead of a system-dependent default.
1927
1928=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1929
1930When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1931loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1446 1932
1447=back 1933=back
1448 1934
1449=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1935=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1450 1936
1508 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1994 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1509 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1995 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1510 }, 1996 },
1511 ); 1997 );
1512 1998
1513 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1514
1515 sub new_timer {
1516 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1999 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1517 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2000 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1518 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1519 }); 2001 });
1520 }
1521
1522 new_timer; # create first timer
1523 2002
1524 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2003 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1525 2004
1526=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2005=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1527 2006
1600 2079
1601The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2080The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1602that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2081that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1603whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2082whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1604and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2083and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1605problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2084problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1606random callback. 2085random callback.
1607 2086
1608All of this enables the following usage styles: 2087All of this enables the following usage styles:
1609 2088
16101. Blocking: 20891. Blocking:
1658through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2137through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1659timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2138timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1660which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2139which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1661 2140
1662Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2141Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1663distribution. 2142distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2143for the EV and Perl backends only.
1664 2144
1665=head3 Explanation of the columns 2145=head3 Explanation of the columns
1666 2146
1667I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2147I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1668different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2148different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1689watcher. 2169watcher.
1690 2170
1691=head3 Results 2171=head3 Results
1692 2172
1693 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2173 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1694 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2174 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1695 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2175 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1696 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2176 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1697 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2177 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1698 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2178 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1699 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2179 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2180 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2181 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1700 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2182 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1701 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2183 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1702 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2184 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1703 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2185 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1704 2186
1705=head3 Discussion 2187=head3 Discussion
1706 2188
1707The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2189The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1708well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2190well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1720benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2202benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1721EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2203EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1722cycles with POE. 2204cycles with POE.
1723 2205
1724C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2206C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1725maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2207maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2208overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2209slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1726far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2210any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1727natively.
1728 2211
1729The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2212The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1730constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2213constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1731interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2214interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1732adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2215adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1733performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2216performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1734them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2217them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1735 2218
1736The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2219The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1737cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2220cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2221
2222C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2223when using its pure perl backend.
1738 2224
1739C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2225C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1740faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2226faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1741C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2227C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1742watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2228watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1803In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2289In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1804(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2290(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1805connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2291connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1806 2292
1807Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2293Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1808distribution. 2294distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2295for the EV and Perl backends only.
1809 2296
1810=head3 Explanation of the columns 2297=head3 Explanation of the columns
1811 2298
1812I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2299I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1813each server has a read and write socket end). 2300each server has a read and write socket end).
1820it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2307it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1821a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2308a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1822 2309
1823=head3 Results 2310=head3 Results
1824 2311
1825 name sockets create request 2312 name sockets create request
1826 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2313 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1827 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2314 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1828 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2315 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1829 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2316 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2317 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2318 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1830 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2319 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1831 2320
1832=head3 Discussion 2321=head3 Discussion
1833 2322
1834This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2323This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1835particular event loop. 2324particular event loop.
1837EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2326EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1838is relatively high, though. 2327is relatively high, though.
1839 2328
1840Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2329Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1841loops Event and Glib. 2330loops Event and Glib.
2331
2332IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2333good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1842 2334
1843Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2335Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1844understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2336understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1845the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2337the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1846uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2338uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1958As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the 2450As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
1959hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl 2451hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
1960backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE. 2452backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
1961 2453
1962And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and 2454And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
1963slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a 2455slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
1964large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O 2456higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
1965in a non-blocking way. 2457it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
1966 2458
1967The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and 2459The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
1968F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are 2460F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
1969part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes. 2461part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
1970 2462
1971 2463
1972=head1 SIGNALS 2464=head1 SIGNALS
1973 2465
1974AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2466AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1979 2471
1980A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2472A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1981emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2473emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1982event loops install a similar handler. 2474event loops install a similar handler.
1983 2475
1984If, when AnyEvent is loaded, SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then AnyEvent will 2476Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
1985reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses. 2477AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1986 2478
1987=item SIGPIPE 2479=item SIGPIPE
1988 2480
1989A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2481A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1990when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2482when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2008 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE'; 2500 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2009 2501
2010$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2502$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2011 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2503 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2012 2504
2505=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2506
2507One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2508its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2509
2510That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2511modules if they are installed.
2512
2513This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2514affect AnyEvent's operation.
2515
2516=over 4
2517
2518=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2519
2520This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2521my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2522signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2523delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2524catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2525C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2526
2527If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2528catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2529will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2530battery life on laptops).
2531
2532This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2533that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2534
2535Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2536and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2537(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2538does nothing for those backends.
2539
2540=item L<EV>
2541
2542This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2543event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2544loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2545the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2546automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2547can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2548C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2549L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2550
2551If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2552then this module will do nothing for you.
2553
2554=item L<Guard>
2555
2556The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2557C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2558lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2559purely used for performance.
2560
2561=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2562
2563One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2564via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2565advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2566
2567=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2568
2569Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2570worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2571the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2572
2573=item L<Time::HiRes>
2574
2575This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2576chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2577pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2578try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2579
2580=back
2581
2582
2013=head1 FORK 2583=head1 FORK
2014 2584
2015Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2585Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
2016because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2586because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
2017calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2587- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2588are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2589one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2590continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2591what you are doing).
2592
2593This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2594the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2595usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2596is loaded).
2018 2597
2019If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2598If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
2020watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2599watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2600something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2601
2602The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2603is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2604fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2605watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2606parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2607to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2608preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2609to have another binary.
2021 2610
2022 2611
2023=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2612=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
2024 2613
2025AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2614AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
2055pronounced). 2644pronounced).
2056 2645
2057 2646
2058=head1 SEE ALSO 2647=head1 SEE ALSO
2059 2648
2649Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2650
2651FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2652
2060Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2653Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
2061 2654
2062Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2655Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
2063L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2656L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
2064 2657
2065Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2658Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
2066L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2659L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
2067L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2660L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
2068L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2661L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
2069 2662
2070Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2663Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2071servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2664servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2072 2665
2073Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2666Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2074 2667
2075Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2668Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
2076 2669
2077Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2670Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2671L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
2078 2672
2079 2673
2080=head1 AUTHOR 2674=head1 AUTHOR
2081 2675
2082 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2676 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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