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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
51There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
52channel, too.
53
54See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
55Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
45 56
46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 57=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
47 58
48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 59Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 60nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
65module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 76module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
66model you use. 77model you use.
67 78
68For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 79For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
69actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 80actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
70like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 81like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 82cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 83that 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. 84module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
74 85
75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 86AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
76fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 87fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
77with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 88with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
78your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 89your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 90too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
80event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 91event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 92use one of the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops
82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 93to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
83 94
84In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 95In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
85model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 96model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
86modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 97modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
87follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 98follow. 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 99offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
89technically possible. 100technically possible.
90 101
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 102Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 103of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
98useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 109useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
99model, you should I<not> use this module. 110model, you should I<not> use this module.
100 111
101=head1 DESCRIPTION 112=head1 DESCRIPTION
102 113
103L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 114L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
104allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 115allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
105users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 116module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
106peacefully at any one time). 117than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
107 118
108The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 119The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
109module. 120module.
110 121
111During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 122During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
112to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 123to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
113following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 124following 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>, 125L<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 126found 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 127four 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 128available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
118be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 129the 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.
121 130
122Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 131Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
123an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 132an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
124that model the default. For example: 133that model the default. For example:
125 134
127 use AnyEvent; 136 use AnyEvent;
128 137
129 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 138 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
130 139
131The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 140The 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 141starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 142as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
143loudly.
134 144
135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 145The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 146C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 147explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
138 148
147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 157callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
148is in control). 158is in control).
149 159
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 160Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 161potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 162callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 163Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops. 164widely between event loops.
155 165
156To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 166To 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 167variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
158to it). 168to it).
159 169
160All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 170All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
161 171
162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 172Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 173example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
164 174
165An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 175One way to achieve that is this pattern:
166 176
167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 177 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 178 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
169 undef $w; 179 undef $w;
170 }); 180 });
172Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 182Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 183my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
174declared. 184declared.
175 185
176=head2 I/O WATCHERS 186=head2 I/O WATCHERS
187
188 $w = AnyEvent->io (
189 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
190 poll => <"r" or "w">,
191 cb => <callback>,
192 );
177 193
178You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 194You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 195with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
180 196
181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch 197C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196 212
197The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 213The 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 214You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
199underlying file descriptor. 215underlying file descriptor.
200 216
201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 217Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 218always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
203handles. 219handles.
204 220
205Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 221Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
206watcher. 222watcher.
211 undef $w; 227 undef $w;
212 }); 228 });
213 229
214=head2 TIME WATCHERS 230=head2 TIME WATCHERS
215 231
232 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
235 after => <fractional_seconds>,
236 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
237 cb => <callback>,
238 );
239
216You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 240You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
217method with the following mandatory arguments: 241method with the following mandatory arguments:
218 242
219C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 243C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
220supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 244supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
222 246
223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 247Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 248presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 249callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
226 250
227The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 251The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 252parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 253callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 254seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 255false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
232 256
233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 257The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 258attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
235only approximate. 259only approximate.
236 260
237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 261Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238 262
239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 263 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
257 281
258While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 282While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
259use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 283use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
260"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 284"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 285the 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. 286fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
263 287
264AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 288AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
265about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 289of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
266on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 290on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
267timers. 291timers.
268 292
269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 293AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
270AnyEvent API. 294AnyEvent API.
292I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 316I<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.> 317function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294 318
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 319This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 320thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 321L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
298 322
299The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 323The 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. 324with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
301 325
302For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 326For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up: 327and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304 328
305The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 329The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 330time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 331you 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 332second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
309after three seconds. 333after three seconds.
310 334
341might affect timers and time-outs. 365might affect timers and time-outs.
342 366
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the 367When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time". 368event loop's idea of "current time".
345 369
370A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
371when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
372idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
373script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
374AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
375(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
376
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled. 377Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347 378
348=back 379=back
349 380
350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 381=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
382
383 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
351 384
352You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 385You 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 386I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 387callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
355 388
361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 394invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
362that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 395that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 396but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
364 397
365The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 398The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
366between multiple watchers. 399between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
400interrupt your program at bad times.
367 401
368This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 402This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
369directly will likely not work correctly. 403so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
404correctly.
370 405
371Example: exit on SIGINT 406Example: exit on SIGINT
372 407
373 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 408 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
374 409
410=head3 Restart Behaviour
411
412While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
413not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
414pure perl implementation).
415
416=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
417
418Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
419"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
420latter might corrupt your memory.
421
422AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
423i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
424called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
425callbacks, too).
426
427=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
428
429Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
430callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
431do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
432this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
433signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
434specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
435variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
436and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
437AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
438will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
439saving.
440
441All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
442L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
443work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
444(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
445one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
446
375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 447=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
376 448
449 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
450
377You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 451You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
378 452
379The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 453The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 454using 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 455croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
382any trace events (stopped/continued). 456finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
457(stopped/continued).
383 458
384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 459The 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 460waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments. 461callback arguments.
387 462
403 478
404This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first 479This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
405thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one 480thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
406watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call 481watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
407C<AnyEvent::detect>). 482C<AnyEvent::detect>).
483
484As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
485emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
486mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
408 487
409Example: fork a process and wait for it 488Example: fork a process and wait for it
410 489
411 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 490 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
412 491
424 # do something else, then wait for process exit 503 # do something else, then wait for process exit
425 $done->recv; 504 $done->recv;
426 505
427=head2 IDLE WATCHERS 506=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
428 507
429Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important 508 $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".
433 509
434Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing 510This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
435better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new 511until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
436events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
437 512
438Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 513Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
514is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
515invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
516defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
517have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
518when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
519detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
520will be invoked.
521
522Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
439EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 523EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
440will simply call the callback "from time to time". 524will simply call the callback "from time to time".
441 525
442Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the 526Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
443program is otherwise idle: 527program is otherwise idle:
459 }); 543 });
460 }); 544 });
461 545
462=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 546=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
463 547
548 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
549
550 $cv->send (<list>);
551 my @res = $cv->recv;
552
464If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 553If 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 554require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
466will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 555will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
467 556
468AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 557AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
469will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 558loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
470 559
471The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 560The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
472because they represent a condition that must become true. 561they represent a condition that must become true.
562
563Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
473 564
474Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 565Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
475>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 566>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
476
477C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 567C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
478becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 568becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
479the results). 569the results).
480 570
481After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 571After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
482by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 572by 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<< 573were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
484->send >> method). 574->send >> method).
485 575
486Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 576Since 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 577some 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 578
489another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 579=over 4
490used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 580
491a result. 581=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
582of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
583
584=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
585the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
586the signal fires.
587
588=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
589where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
590
591=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
592some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
593between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
594
595=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
596some result, long before the result is available.
597
598=back
492 599
493Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 600Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
494for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 601for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
495then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 602then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
496availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 603availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
509 616
510Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 617Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
511used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 618used 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 619easy (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 620AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
514it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 621its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
515 622
516There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 623There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
517eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 624eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
518for the send to occur. 625for the send to occur.
519 626
520Example: wait for a timer. 627Example: wait for a timer.
521 628
522 # wait till the result is ready 629 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
523 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 630 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
524 631
525 # do something such as adding a timer 632 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
526 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 633 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
527 # when the "result" is ready. 634 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
528 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 635 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
529 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 636 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
530 after => 1, 637 after => 1,
531 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 638 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
532 ); 639 );
533 640
534 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 641 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
535 # calls send 642 # calls ->send
536 $result_ready->recv; 643 $timer_fired->recv;
537 644
538Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 645Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
539condition variables are also code references. 646variables are also callable directly.
540 647
541 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 648 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
542 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 649 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
543 $done->recv; 650 $done->recv;
544 651
550 657
551 ... 658 ...
552 659
553 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 660 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
554 661
555And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 662And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
556results are available: 663results are available:
557 664
558 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 665 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
559 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 666 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
560 }); 667 });
578immediately from within send. 685immediately from within send.
579 686
580Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 687Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
581future C<< ->recv >> calls. 688future C<< ->recv >> calls.
582 689
583Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 690Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
584(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 691they 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 692C<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).
591 693
592=item $cv->croak ($error) 694=item $cv->croak ($error)
593 695
594Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 696Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
595C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 697C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
596 698
597This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 699This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
598user/consumer. 700user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
701delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
702diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
703deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
704the problem.
599 705
600=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 706=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
601 707
602=item $cv->end 708=item $cv->end
603 709
605one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 711one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
606to use a condition variable for the whole process. 712to use a condition variable for the whole process.
607 713
608Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 714Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
609C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 715C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
610>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 716>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
611is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 717condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
612callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 718>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
719be called without any arguments.
613 720
614You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call 721You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
615sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND 722sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
616condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends). 723condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
617 724
639one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before 746one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
640sending. 747sending.
641 748
642The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the 749The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
643there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are 750there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
644begung can potentially be zero: 751begun can potentially be zero:
645 752
646 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 753 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
647 754
648 my %result; 755 my %result;
649 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 756 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
650 757
651 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 758 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
652 $cv->begin; 759 $cv->begin;
653 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 760 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
654 $result{$host} = ...; 761 $result{$host} = ...;
670to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 777to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
671C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 778C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
672doesn't execute once). 779doesn't execute once).
673 780
674This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but 781This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
675potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set 782potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
676the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each 783the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
677subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, 784subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
678call C<end>. 785call C<end>.
679 786
680=back 787=back
687=over 4 794=over 4
688 795
689=item $cv->recv 796=item $cv->recv
690 797
691Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 798Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
692>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 799>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
693normally. 800normally.
694 801
695You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 802You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
696will return immediately. 803will return immediately.
697 804
699function will call C<croak>. 806function will call C<croak>.
700 807
701In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 808In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
702in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 809in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
703 810
811Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
812event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
813>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
814condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
815L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
816any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
817
704Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 818Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
705(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 819(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
706using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 820using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
707caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 821caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
708condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 822condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
709callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 823callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
710while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 824while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
711 825
712Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
713sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
714multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
715can supply.
716
717The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
718fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
719versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
720C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
721coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
722
723You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 826You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
724only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 827only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
725time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 828time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
726waits otherwise. 829waits otherwise.
727 830
728=item $bool = $cv->ready 831=item $bool = $cv->ready
734 837
735This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 838This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
736replaces it before doing so. 839replaces it before doing so.
737 840
738The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 841The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
739C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 842C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
740variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 843condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
741is guaranteed not to block. 844callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
845the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
742 846
743=back 847=back
744 848
849=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
850
851The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
852
853=over 4
854
855=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
856
857EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
858use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
859pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
860AnyEvent itself.
861
862 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
863 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
864
865=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
866
867These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
868is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
869them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
870when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
871create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
872
873 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
874 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
879
880=item Backends with special needs.
881
882Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
883otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
884instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
885everything should just work.
886
887 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
888
889Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
890architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
891is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
892it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
893L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync> for the gory details.
894
895 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
896
897=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
898
899Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
900
901There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
902
903B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
904use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
905polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
906consider for AnyEvent.
907
908B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
909backend, so it can be supported through POE.
910
911AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
912load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
913in which case everything will be automatic.
914
915=back
916
745=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 917=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
746 918
919These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
920write AnyEvent extension modules.
921
747=over 4 922=over 4
748 923
749=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 924=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
750 925
751Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 926Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
927backend has been autodetected.
928
752contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 929Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
753Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 930name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
754C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 931of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
755AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 932case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
756 933will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
757The known classes so far are:
758
759 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
760 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
761 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
762 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
763 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
764 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
765 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
766 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
767
768 # warning, support for IO::Async is only partial, as it is too broken
769 # and limited toe ven support the AnyEvent API. See AnyEvent::Impl::Async.
770 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
771
772There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
773watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
774POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
775second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
776AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
777it's adaptor.
778
779AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
780autodetecting them.
781 934
782=item AnyEvent::detect 935=item AnyEvent::detect
783 936
784Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 937Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
785if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 938if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
786have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 939have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
787runtime. 940runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
941
942If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
943created, use C<post_detect>.
788 944
789=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 945=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
790 946
791Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 947Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
792autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 948autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
949
950The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
951(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
952created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
953other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
954L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
955
956The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
957event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
958and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
959avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
793 960
794If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 961If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
795that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 962that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
963C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
796L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 964a case where this is useful.
965
966Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
967C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
968
969 our WATCHER;
970
971 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
972 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
973 };
974
975 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
976 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
977 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
978 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
979
980 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
797 981
798=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 982=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
799 983
800If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 984If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
801before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 985before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
802the event loop has been chosen. 986after the event loop has been chosen.
803 987
804You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 988You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
805if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 989if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
806and the array will be ignored. 990array will be ignored.
807 991
808Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 992Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
993it, as it takes care of these details.
994
995This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
996when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
997not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
998into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
999
1000Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1001together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1002Coro to accomplish this):
1003
1004 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1005 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1006 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1007 } else {
1008 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1009 # as soon as it is
1010 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1011 }
809 1012
810=back 1013=back
811 1014
812=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1015=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
813 1016
824because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1027because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
825events is to stay interactive. 1028events is to stay interactive.
826 1029
827It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1030It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
828requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1031requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
829called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1032called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
830freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1033freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
831 1034
832=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1035=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
833 1036
834There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1037There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
835dictate which event model to use. 1038dictate which event model to use.
836 1039
837If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1040If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
838do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1041when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
839decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1042uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1043to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1044available loop implementation.
840 1045
841If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1046If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
842Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1047Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
843event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1048event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
844speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1049speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
845modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1050modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
846decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1051decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
847might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1052might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
848 1053
849You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1054You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
850C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1055C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
851everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1056everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
852 1057
868 1073
869 1074
870=head1 OTHER MODULES 1075=head1 OTHER MODULES
871 1076
872The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1077The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
873AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1078AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
874in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1079modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
875available via CPAN. 1080come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
876 1081
877=over 4 1082=over 4
878 1083
879=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1084=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
880 1085
881Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1086Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
882functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1087functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
883 1088
884=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1089=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
885 1090
886Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1091Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
887addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1092addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
889 1094
890=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1095=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
891 1096
892Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1097Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
893supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1098supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
894non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1099non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
895 1100
896=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1101=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
897 1102
898Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1103Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
899 1104
1105=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1106
1107Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1108the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1109Client Protocol).
1110
1111=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1112
1113Here be danger!
1114
1115As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1116there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1117its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1118the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1119
1120It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1121confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1122fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1123with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1124packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1125support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1126wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1127
900=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1128=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
901 1129
902A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1130Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
903HTTP requests. 1131notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1132
1133=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1134
1135Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1136toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1137L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1138file I/O, and much more.
904 1139
905=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1140=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
906 1141
907Provides a simple web application server framework. 1142A simple embedded webserver.
908 1143
909=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1144=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
910 1145
911The fastest ping in the west. 1146The fastest ping in the west.
912 1147
913=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
914
915Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
916
917=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
918
919Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
920programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
921together.
922
923=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
924
925Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
926L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
927
928=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
929
930A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
931
932=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
933
934A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
935L<App::IGS>).
936
937=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
938
939AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
940
941=item L<Net::XMPP2>
942
943AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
944
945=item L<Net::FCP>
946
947AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
948of AnyEvent.
949
950=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
951
952High level API for event-based execution flow control.
953
954=item L<Coro> 1148=item L<Coro>
955 1149
956Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1150Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
957 1151
958=item L<IO::Lambda>
959
960The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
961
962=back 1152=back
963 1153
964=cut 1154=cut
965 1155
966package AnyEvent; 1156package AnyEvent;
967 1157
968no warnings; 1158# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
969use strict qw(vars subs); 1159sub common_sense {
1160 # from common:.sense 3.3
1161 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1162 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1163 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1164}
970 1165
1166BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1167
971use Carp; 1168use Carp ();
972 1169
973our $VERSION = 4.8; 1170our $VERSION = '5.271';
974our $MODEL; 1171our $MODEL;
975 1172
976our $AUTOLOAD; 1173our $AUTOLOAD;
977our @ISA; 1174our @ISA;
978 1175
979our @REGISTRY; 1176our @REGISTRY;
980 1177
981our $WIN32; 1178our $VERBOSE;
982 1179
983BEGIN { 1180BEGIN {
984 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }"; 1181 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1182
985 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }"; 1183 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
986 1184
987 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} 1185 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
988 if ${^TAINT}; 1186 if ${^TAINT};
989}
990 1187
991our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1188 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1189
1190}
1191
1192our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
992 1193
993our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1194our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
994 1195
995{ 1196{
996 my $idx; 1197 my $idx;
998 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1199 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
999 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1200 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1000} 1201}
1001 1202
1002my @models = ( 1203my @models = (
1003 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1204 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
1004 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
1005 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1205 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1006 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1206 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1007 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1207 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1008 # and is usually faster 1208 # and is usually faster
1209 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1210 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1211 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1212 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
1009 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1213 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1010 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1011 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1012 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1214 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1013 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1215 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
1014 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1216 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1015 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1217 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1016 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workaorunds for its 1218 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1017 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others. 1219 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1018 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any 1220 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1019 # obvious default class. 1221 # obvious default class.
1020# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1222 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1021# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1223 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1022# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1224 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1225 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1023); 1226);
1024 1227
1025our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1228our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1026 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY); 1229 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
1027 1230
1028our @post_detect; 1231our @post_detect;
1029 1232
1030sub post_detect(&) { 1233sub post_detect(&) {
1031 my ($cb) = @_; 1234 my ($cb) = @_;
1032 1235
1033 if ($MODEL) {
1034 $cb->();
1035
1036 1
1037 } else {
1038 push @post_detect, $cb; 1236 push @post_detect, $cb;
1039 1237
1040 defined wantarray 1238 defined wantarray
1041 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect" 1239 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1042 : () 1240 : ()
1043 }
1044} 1241}
1045 1242
1046sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY { 1243sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1047 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1244 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1048} 1245}
1049 1246
1050sub detect() { 1247sub detect() {
1248 # free some memory
1249 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1250
1251 local $!; # for good measure
1252 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1253
1254 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1255 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1256 if (eval "require $model") {
1257 $MODEL = $model;
1258 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1259 } else {
1260 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1261 }
1262 }
1263
1264 # check for already loaded models
1051 unless ($MODEL) { 1265 unless ($MODEL) {
1052 no strict 'refs'; 1266 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1053 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1267 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1054 1268 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
1055 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1056 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1057 if (eval "require $model") { 1269 if (eval "require $model") {
1058 $MODEL = $model; 1270 $MODEL = $model;
1059 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1271 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1060 } else { 1272 last;
1061 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1273 }
1062 } 1274 }
1063 } 1275 }
1064 1276
1065 # check for already loaded models
1066 unless ($MODEL) { 1277 unless ($MODEL) {
1278 # try to autoload a model
1067 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1279 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1068 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1280 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1281 if (
1282 $autoload
1283 and eval "require $package"
1069 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1284 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1070 if (eval "require $model") { 1285 and eval "require $model"
1286 ) {
1071 $MODEL = $model; 1287 $MODEL = $model;
1072 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1288 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1073 last; 1289 last;
1074 }
1075 } 1290 }
1076 } 1291 }
1077 1292
1078 unless ($MODEL) {
1079 # try to load a model
1080
1081 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1082 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1083 if (eval "require $package"
1084 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1085 and eval "require $model") {
1086 $MODEL = $model;
1087 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
1088 last;
1089 }
1090 }
1091
1092 $MODEL 1293 $MODEL
1093 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n"; 1294 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
1094 }
1095 } 1295 }
1096
1097 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1098
1099 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1100
1101 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1102
1103 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1104 } 1296 }
1297
1298 @models = (); # free probe data
1299
1300 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1301 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1302
1303 # now nuke some methods that are overriden by the backend.
1304 # SUPER is not allowed.
1305 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1306 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1307 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1308 }
1309
1310 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1311
1312 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1313
1314 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1315 shift->();
1316
1317 undef
1318 };
1105 1319
1106 $MODEL 1320 $MODEL
1107} 1321}
1108 1322
1109sub AUTOLOAD { 1323sub AUTOLOAD {
1110 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1324 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1111 1325
1112 $method{$func} 1326 $method{$func}
1113 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1327 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
1114 1328
1115 detect unless $MODEL; 1329 detect;
1116 1330
1117 my $class = shift; 1331 my $class = shift;
1118 $class->$func (@_); 1332 $class->$func (@_);
1119} 1333}
1120 1334
1123# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1337# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1124sub _dupfh($$;$$) { 1338sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1125 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1339 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1126 1340
1127 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1341 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1128 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") : ($w, ">"); 1342 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1129 1343
1130 open my $fh2, "$mode&", $fh 1344 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1131 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,"; 1345 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1132 1346
1133 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1347 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1134 1348
1135 ($fh2, $rw) 1349 ($fh2, $rw)
1136} 1350}
1137 1351
1352=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1353
1354Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1355simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1356overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1357
1358See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1359
1360=cut
1361
1362package AE;
1363
1364our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1365
1366# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1367# implementations can overwrite these.
1368
1369sub io($$$) {
1370 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1371}
1372
1373sub timer($$$) {
1374 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1375}
1376
1377sub signal($$) {
1378 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1379}
1380
1381sub child($$) {
1382 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1383}
1384
1385sub idle($) {
1386 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1387}
1388
1389sub cv(;&) {
1390 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1391}
1392
1393sub now() {
1394 AnyEvent->now
1395}
1396
1397sub now_update() {
1398 AnyEvent->now_update
1399}
1400
1401sub time() {
1402 AnyEvent->time
1403}
1404
1138package AnyEvent::Base; 1405package AnyEvent::Base;
1139 1406
1140# default implementations for many methods 1407# default implementations for many methods
1141 1408
1142BEGIN { 1409sub time {
1410 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1411 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1143 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") { 1412 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1413 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1144 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1414 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1145 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1415 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1146 } else { 1416 } else {
1417 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1147 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1418 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1419 }
1420
1421 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1422 };
1423 die if $@;
1424
1425 &time
1426}
1427
1428*now = \&time;
1429
1430sub now_update { }
1431
1432# default implementation for ->condvar
1433
1434sub condvar {
1435 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1436 *condvar = sub {
1437 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1438 };
1439
1440 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1441 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1442 };
1443 };
1444 die if $@;
1445
1446 &condvar
1447}
1448
1449# default implementation for ->signal
1450
1451our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1452
1453sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1454 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1455 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1456 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1457
1458 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1459}
1460
1461our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1462our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1463our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1464
1465# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1466# used by Impls
1467sub _sig_add() {
1468 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1469 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1470 my $NOW = AE::now;
1471
1472 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1473 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1474 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1475 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1476 ;
1148 } 1477 }
1149} 1478}
1150 1479
1151sub time { _time } 1480sub _sig_del {
1152sub now { _time } 1481 undef $SIG_TW
1153sub now_update { } 1482 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1154
1155# default implementation for ->condvar
1156
1157sub condvar {
1158 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1159} 1483}
1160 1484
1161# default implementation for ->signal 1485our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1486 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1487 undef $_sig_name_init;
1162 1488
1163our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1489 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1490 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1491 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1492 } else {
1493 require Config;
1164 1494
1165sub _signal_exec { 1495 my %signame2num;
1166 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1496 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1497 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1167 1498
1168 while (%SIG_EV) { 1499 my @signum2name;
1169 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1500 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1170 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1501
1171 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1502 *sig2num = sub($) {
1503 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1504 };
1505 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1506 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1507 };
1172 } 1508 }
1173 } 1509 };
1174} 1510 die if $@;
1511};
1512
1513sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1514sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1175 1515
1176sub signal { 1516sub signal {
1177 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1517 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1518 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1519 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1520 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1178 1521
1179 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1522 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1180 require Fcntl; 1523 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1181 1524
1182 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1183 require AnyEvent::Util;
1184
1185 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1186 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1187 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1188 } else { 1525 } else {
1526 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1527
1528 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1529 require AnyEvent::Util;
1530
1531 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1532 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1533 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1534 } else {
1189 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1535 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1190 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1536 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1191 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1537 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1192 1538
1193 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1539 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1194 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1540 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1195 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1541 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1542 }
1543
1544 $SIGPIPE_R
1545 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1546
1547 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1196 } 1548 }
1197 1549
1198 $SIGPIPE_R 1550 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1199 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1551 ? sub {
1552 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1200 1553
1201 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1554 # async::interrupt
1202 }
1203
1204 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1555 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1205 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1206
1207 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1556 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1557
1558 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1559 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1560 signal => $signal,
1561 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1562 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1563 ;
1564
1565 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1566 }
1567 : sub {
1568 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1569
1570 # pure perl
1571 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1572 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1573
1208 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1574 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1209 local $!; 1575 local $!;
1210 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1576 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1211 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1577 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1578 };
1579
1580 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1581 # so limit the signal latency.
1582 _sig_add;
1583
1584 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1585 }
1586 ;
1587
1588 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1589 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1590
1591 _sig_del;
1592
1593 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1594
1595 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1596 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1597 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1598 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1599 # instead of getting the default action.
1600 undef $SIG{$signal}
1601 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1602 };
1603
1604 *_signal_exec = sub {
1605 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1606 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1607 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1608
1609 while (%SIG_EV) {
1610 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1611 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1612 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1613 }
1614 }
1615 };
1212 }; 1616 };
1617 die if $@;
1213 1618
1214 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal" 1619 &signal
1215}
1216
1217sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1218 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1219
1220 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1221
1222 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1223 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1224 # instead of getting the default action.
1225 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1226} 1620}
1227 1621
1228# default implementation for ->child 1622# default implementation for ->child
1229 1623
1230our %PID_CB; 1624our %PID_CB;
1231our $CHLD_W; 1625our $CHLD_W;
1232our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1626our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1233our $WNOHANG; 1627our $WNOHANG;
1234 1628
1235sub _sigchld { 1629# used by many Impl's
1236 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1630sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1631 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1632
1633 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1237 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1634 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1238 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1635 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1239 }
1240} 1636}
1241 1637
1242sub child { 1638sub child {
1639 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1640 *_sigchld = sub {
1641 my $pid;
1642
1643 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1644 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1645 };
1646
1647 *child = sub {
1243 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1648 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1244 1649
1245 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1650 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1246 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1651 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1247 1652
1248 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1653 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1249 1654
1655 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1656 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1657 ? 1
1250 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1658 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1251 1659
1252 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1660 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1253 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1661 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1254 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1662 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1255 &_sigchld; 1663 &_sigchld;
1256 } 1664 }
1257 1665
1258 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child" 1666 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1259} 1667 };
1260 1668
1261sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY { 1669 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1262 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1670 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1263 1671
1264 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1672 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1265 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1673 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1266 1674
1267 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1675 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1676 };
1677 };
1678 die if $@;
1679
1680 &child
1268} 1681}
1269 1682
1270# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless 1683# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1271# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting 1684# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1272# the callback use more than 50% of the time. 1685# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1273sub idle { 1686sub idle {
1687 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1688 *idle = sub {
1274 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1689 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1275 1690
1276 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb}; 1691 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1277 1692
1278 $rcb = sub { 1693 $rcb = sub {
1279 if ($cb) { 1694 if ($cb) {
1280 $w = _time; 1695 $w = _time;
1281 &$cb; 1696 &$cb;
1282 $w = _time - $w; 1697 $w = _time - $w;
1283 1698
1284 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher, 1699 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1285 # within some limits 1700 # within some limits
1286 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001; 1701 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1287 $w = 5 if $w > 5; 1702 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1288 1703
1289 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb); 1704 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1290 } else { 1705 } else {
1291 # clean up... 1706 # clean up...
1292 undef $w; 1707 undef $w;
1293 undef $rcb; 1708 undef $rcb;
1709 }
1710 };
1711
1712 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1713
1714 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1294 } 1715 };
1716
1717 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1718 undef $${$_[0]};
1719 };
1295 }; 1720 };
1721 die if $@;
1296 1722
1297 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb); 1723 &idle
1298
1299 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1300}
1301
1302sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1303 undef $${$_[0]};
1304} 1724}
1305 1725
1306package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1726package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1307 1727
1308our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1728our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1309 1729
1730# only to be used for subclassing
1731sub new {
1732 my $class = shift;
1733 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1734}
1735
1310package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1736package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1311 1737
1312use overload 1738#use overload
1313 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1739# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1314 fallback => 1; 1740# fallback => 1;
1741
1742# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1743${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1744*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1745*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1746${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1747
1748our $WAITING;
1315 1749
1316sub _send { 1750sub _send {
1317 # nop 1751 # nop
1318} 1752}
1319 1753
1332sub ready { 1766sub ready {
1333 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1767 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1334} 1768}
1335 1769
1336sub _wait { 1770sub _wait {
1771 $WAITING
1772 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1773 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1774
1775 local $WAITING = 1;
1337 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1776 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1338} 1777}
1339 1778
1340sub recv { 1779sub recv {
1341 $_[0]->_wait; 1780 $_[0]->_wait;
1343 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1782 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1344 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1783 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1345} 1784}
1346 1785
1347sub cb { 1786sub cb {
1348 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1787 my $cv = shift;
1788
1789 @_
1790 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1791 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1792 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1793
1349 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1794 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1350} 1795}
1351 1796
1352sub begin { 1797sub begin {
1353 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1798 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1354 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1799 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1403C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1848C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1404 1849
1405When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1850When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1406model it chooses. 1851model it chooses.
1407 1852
1853When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1854which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1855
1408=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1856=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1409 1857
1410AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1858AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1411argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1859argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1412will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1860will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1413check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems, 1861check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1414it will croak. 1862it will croak.
1415 1863
1416In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1864In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1417 1865
1418Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in 1866Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1419production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1867>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1420developing programs can be very useful, however. 1868C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1869can be very useful, however.
1421 1870
1422=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1871=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1423 1872
1424This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1873This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1425auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1874auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1487 1936
1488When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during 1937When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1489L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment 1938L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1490variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations 1939variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1491instead of a system-dependent default. 1940instead of a system-dependent default.
1941
1942=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1943
1944When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1945loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1492 1946
1493=back 1947=back
1494 1948
1495=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1949=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1496 1950
1554 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2008 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1555 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2009 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1556 }, 2010 },
1557 ); 2011 );
1558 2012
1559 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1560
1561 sub new_timer {
1562 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2013 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1563 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2014 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1564 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1565 }); 2015 });
1566 }
1567
1568 new_timer; # create first timer
1569 2016
1570 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2017 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1571 2018
1572=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2019=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1573 2020
1646 2093
1647The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2094The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1648that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2095that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1649whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2096whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1650and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2097and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1651problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2098problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1652random callback. 2099random callback.
1653 2100
1654All of this enables the following usage styles: 2101All of this enables the following usage styles:
1655 2102
16561. Blocking: 21031. Blocking:
1704through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2151through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1705timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2152timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1706which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2153which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1707 2154
1708Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2155Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1709distribution. 2156distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2157for the EV and Perl backends only.
1710 2158
1711=head3 Explanation of the columns 2159=head3 Explanation of the columns
1712 2160
1713I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2161I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1714different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2162different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1735watcher. 2183watcher.
1736 2184
1737=head3 Results 2185=head3 Results
1738 2186
1739 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2187 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1740 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2188 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1741 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2189 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1742 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2190 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1743 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2191 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1744 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2192 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1745 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2193 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1746 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll 2194 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1747 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll 2195 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1748 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2196 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1749 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2197 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1750 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2198 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1751 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2199 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1752 2200
1753=head3 Discussion 2201=head3 Discussion
1754 2202
1755The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2203The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1756well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2204well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1768benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2216benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1769EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2217EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1770cycles with POE. 2218cycles with POE.
1771 2219
1772C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2220C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1773maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2221maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2222overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2223slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1774far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2224any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1775natively.
1776 2225
1777The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2226The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1778constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2227constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1779interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2228interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1780adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2229adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1854In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2303In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1855(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2304(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1856connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2305connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1857 2306
1858Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2307Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1859distribution. 2308distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2309for the EV and Perl backends only.
1860 2310
1861=head3 Explanation of the columns 2311=head3 Explanation of the columns
1862 2312
1863I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2313I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1864each server has a read and write socket end). 2314each server has a read and write socket end).
1872a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2322a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1873 2323
1874=head3 Results 2324=head3 Results
1875 2325
1876 name sockets create request 2326 name sockets create request
1877 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2327 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1878 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2328 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1879 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll 2329 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1880 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll 2330 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
1881 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2331 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
1882 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2332 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1883 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2333 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1884 2334
1885=head3 Discussion 2335=head3 Discussion
1886 2336
1887This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2337This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1888particular event loop. 2338particular event loop.
2014As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the 2464As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2015hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl 2465hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2016backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE. 2466backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2017 2467
2018And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and 2468And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2019slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a 2469slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2020large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O 2470higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2021in a non-blocking way. 2471it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2022 2472
2023The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and 2473The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2024F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are 2474F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2025part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes. 2475part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2026 2476
2027 2477
2028=head1 SIGNALS 2478=head1 SIGNALS
2029 2479
2030AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2480AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2035 2485
2036A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2486A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2037emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2487emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2038event loops install a similar handler. 2488event loops install a similar handler.
2039 2489
2040If, when AnyEvent is loaded, SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then AnyEvent will 2490Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2041reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses. 2491AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2042 2492
2043=item SIGPIPE 2493=item SIGPIPE
2044 2494
2045A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2495A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2046when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2496when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2064 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE'; 2514 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2065 2515
2066$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2516$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2067 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2517 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2068 2518
2519=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2520
2521One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2522its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2523
2524That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2525modules if they are installed.
2526
2527This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2528affect AnyEvent's operation.
2529
2530=over 4
2531
2532=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2533
2534This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2535my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2536signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2537delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2538catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2539C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2540
2541If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2542catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2543will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2544battery life on laptops).
2545
2546This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2547that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2548
2549Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2550and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2551(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2552does nothing for those backends.
2553
2554=item L<EV>
2555
2556This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2557event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2558loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2559the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2560automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2561can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2562C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2563L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2564
2565If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2566then this module will do nothing for you.
2567
2568=item L<Guard>
2569
2570The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2571C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2572lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2573purely used for performance.
2574
2575=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2576
2577One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2578via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2579advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2580
2581=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2582
2583Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2584worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2585the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2586
2587=item L<Time::HiRes>
2588
2589This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2590chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2591pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2592try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2593
2594=back
2595
2596
2069=head1 FORK 2597=head1 FORK
2070 2598
2071Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2599Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
2072because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2600because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
2073calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2601- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2602are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2603one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2604continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2605what you are doing).
2606
2607This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2608the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2609usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2610is loaded).
2074 2611
2075If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2612If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
2076watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2613watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2614something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2615
2616The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2617is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2618fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2619watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2620parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2621to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2622preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2623to have another binary.
2077 2624
2078 2625
2079=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2626=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
2080 2627
2081AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2628AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
2119L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2666L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
2120 2667
2121Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2668Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
2122L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2669L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
2123L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2670L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
2124L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2671L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
2125 2672
2126Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2673Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2127servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2674servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2128 2675
2129Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2676Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2130 2677
2131Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2678Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2679L<Coro::Event>,
2132 2680
2133Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2681Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2682L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
2134 2683
2135 2684
2136=head1 AUTHOR 2685=head1 AUTHOR
2137 2686
2138 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2687 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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