ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm
(Generate patch)

Comparing AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.234 by root, Thu Jul 9 08:31:16 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.343 by root, Wed Dec 29 04:27:53 2010 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6event loops. 6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
7 7
8=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
9 9
10 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
11 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
12 # file descriptor readable 15 # file handle or descriptor readable
13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14 17
15 # one-shot or repeating timers 18 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
18 21
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21 24
22 # POSIX signal 25 # POSIX signal
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41 44
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
45 58
46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
47 60
48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
65module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
66model you use. 79model you use.
67 80
68For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
69actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 82actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
70like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
73module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
74 87
75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
76fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
77with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 90with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
78your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 91uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
80event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
83 96
84In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
85model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
86modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
87follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
88offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
89technically possible. 102technically possible.
90 103
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
98useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
99model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
100 113
101=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
102 115
103L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
104allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
105users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
106peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
107 120
108The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
109module. 122module.
110 123
111During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
112to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
113following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
114L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
115L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
116to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
117adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
118be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
119found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
120very efficient, but should work everywhere.
121 132
122Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
123an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
124that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
125 136
127 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
128 139
129 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
130 141
131The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
132starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
134 146
135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
138 150
147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
148is in control). 160is in control).
149 161
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops. 166widely between event loops.
155 167
156To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
157variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
158to it). 170to it).
159 171
160All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
161 173
162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
164 176
165An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
166 178
167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
169 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
170 }); 182 });
172Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 184Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
174declared. 186declared.
175 187
176=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
177 195
178You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
180 198
181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196 214
197The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
198You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
199underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
200 218
201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
203handles. 221handles.
204 222
205Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
206watcher. 224watcher.
211 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
212 }); 230 });
213 231
214=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
215 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
216You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
217method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
218 244
219C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
220supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
222 248
223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
226 252
227The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
232 258
233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
235only approximate. 261only approximate.
236 262
237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238 264
239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
257 283
258While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
259use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
260"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
261the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
262fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
263 289
264AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
265about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
266on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
267timers. 293timers.
268 294
269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
270AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
292I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
293function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294 320
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
298 324
299The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
300with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
301 327
302For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304 330
305The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
308second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires 334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
309after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
310 336
341might affect timers and time-outs. 367might affect timers and time-outs.
342 368
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the 369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time". 370event loop's idea of "current time".
345 371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled. 379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347 380
348=back 381=back
349 382
350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
351 386
352You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
353I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
355 390
361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
362that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
364 399
365The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
366between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
367 403
368This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
369directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
370 407
371Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
372 409
373 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
374 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
376 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
377You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
378 454
379The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
381the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
382any trace events (stopped/continued). 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
459(stopped/continued).
383 460
384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
385waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments. 463callback arguments.
387 464
403 480
404This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
405thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
406watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
407C<AnyEvent::detect>). 484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
488mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
408 489
409Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
410 491
411 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
412 493
424 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
425 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
426 507
427=head2 IDLE WATCHERS 508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
428 509
429Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important 510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
430to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
431"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
432attention by the event loop".
433 511
434Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing 512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
435better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new 513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
436events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
437 514
438Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
439EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
440will simply call the callback "from time to time". 526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
441 527
442Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the 528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
443program is otherwise idle: 529program is otherwise idle:
459 }); 545 });
460 }); 546 });
461 547
462=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
463 549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
554
464If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
465require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
466will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
467 558
468AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
469will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
470 561
471The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
472because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
473 566
474Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
475>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
476
477C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
478becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
479the results). 571the results).
480 572
481After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
482by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
483were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
484->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
485 577
486Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
487optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
488in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
489another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
490used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
491a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
492 601
493Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
494for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
495then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
496availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
509 618
510Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
511used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
512easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
513AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
514it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
515 624
516There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
517eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
518for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
519 628
520Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
521 630
522 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
523 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
524 633
525 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
526 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
527 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
528 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
529 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
530 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
531 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
532 ); 641 );
533 642
534 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
535 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
536 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
537 646
538Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
539condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
540 649
541 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
542 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
543 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
544 653
550 659
551 ... 660 ...
552 661
553 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
554 663
555And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
556results are available: 665results are available:
557 666
558 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
559 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
560 }); 669 });
578immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
579 688
580Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
581future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
582 691
583Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
584(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
585C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
586overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
587instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
588support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
589invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
590example).
591 695
592=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
593 697
594Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
595C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
596 700
597This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
598user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
599 707
600=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
601 709
602=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
603 711
605one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
606to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
607 715
608Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
609C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
610>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
611is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
612callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
613 722
614You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call 723You 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 724sends), 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). 725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
617 726
639one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before 748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
640sending. 749sending.
641 750
642The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the 751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
643there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are 752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
644begung can potentially be zero: 753begun can potentially be zero:
645 754
646 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
647 756
648 my %result; 757 my %result;
649 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
650 759
651 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
652 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
653 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
654 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
670to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
671C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
672doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
673 782
674This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
675potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set 784potentially 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 785the 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, 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
678call C<end>. 787call C<end>.
679 788
680=back 789=back
687=over 4 796=over 4
688 797
689=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
690 799
691Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
692>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
693normally. 802normally.
694 803
695You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
696will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
697 806
699function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
700 809
701In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
702in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
703 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
704Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
705(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
706using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
707caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
708condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
709callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
710while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
711 827
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 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
724only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
725time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
726waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
727 832
728=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
734 839
735This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
736replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
737 842
738The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
739C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
740variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
741is guaranteed not to block. 846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
742 848
743=back 849=back
744 850
745=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS 851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
746 852
749=over 4 855=over 4
750 856
751=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found. 857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
752 858
753EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in 859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
754use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing 860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
755that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is 861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
756available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself. 862AnyEvent itself.
757 863
758 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice). 864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
759 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
760 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable. 865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
761 866
762=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used. 867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
763 868
764These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher 869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
765is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using 870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
766them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend 871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
767when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to 872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
768create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program. 873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
769 874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
770 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable. 876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
771 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken. 877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
772 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
773 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations. 879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
774 882
775=item Backends with special needs. 883=item Backends with special needs.
776 884
777Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will 885Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
778otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program 886otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
779instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created, 887instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
780everything should just work. 888everything should just work.
781 889
782 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt. 890 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
783 891
784Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
785architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
786is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
787it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
788L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
789
790 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
791
792=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends. 892=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
793 893
794Some event loops can be supported via other modules: 894Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
795 895
796There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>. 896There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
821Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the 921Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
822backend has been autodetected. 922backend has been autodetected.
823 923
824Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the 924Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
825name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one 925name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
826of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the 926of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
827case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it 927case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
828will be C<urxvt::anyevent>). 928will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
829 929
830=item AnyEvent::detect 930=item AnyEvent::detect
831 931
832Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 932Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
833if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 933if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
834have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 934have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
835runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module. 935runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
836 936
837If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are 937If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
838created, use C<post_detect>. 938created, use C<post_detect>.
839 939
840=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 940=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
841 941
842Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 942Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
843autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 943autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
844 944
845The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected 945The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
846(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been 946(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
847created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do 947created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
848other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or 948other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
852event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates 952event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
853and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to 953and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
854avoid autodetecting the event module at load time. 954avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
855 955
856If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 956If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
857that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 957that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
958C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
858L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 959a case where this is useful.
960
961Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
962C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
963
964 our WATCHER;
965
966 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
967 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
968 };
969
970 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
971 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
972 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
973 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
974
975 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
859 976
860=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 977=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
861 978
862If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 979If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
863before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 980before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
864the event loop has been chosen. 981after the event loop has been chosen.
865 982
866You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 983You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
867if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the 984if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
868array will be ignored. 985array will be ignored.
869 986
870Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows 987Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
871it,as it takes care of these details. 988it, as it takes care of these details.
872 989
873This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful 990This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
874when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do 991when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
875not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook 992not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
876into AnyEvent passively, without loading it. 993into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
877 994
995Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
996together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
997Coro to accomplish this):
998
999 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1000 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1001 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1002 } else {
1003 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1004 # as soon as it is
1005 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1006 }
1007
878=back 1008=back
879 1009
880=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1010=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
881 1011
882As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 1012As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
892because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1022because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
893events is to stay interactive. 1023events is to stay interactive.
894 1024
895It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1025It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
896requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1026requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
897called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1027called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
898freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1028freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
899 1029
900=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1030=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
901 1031
902There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1032There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
903dictate which event model to use. 1033dictate which event model to use.
904 1034
905If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1035If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
906do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1036when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
907decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1037uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1038to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1039available loop implementation.
908 1040
909If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1041If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
910Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1042Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
911event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1043event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
912speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1044speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
913modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1045modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
914decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1046decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
915might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1047might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
916 1048
917You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1049You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
918C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1050C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
919everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1051everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
920 1052
938=head1 OTHER MODULES 1070=head1 OTHER MODULES
939 1071
940The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1072The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
941AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent 1073AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
942modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules 1074modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
943come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN. 1075come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
944 1076
945=over 4 1077=over 4
946 1078
947=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1079=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
948 1080
949Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1081Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
950functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1082functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
951 1083
952=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1084=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
953 1085
954Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1086Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
955addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1087addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
957 1089
958=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1090=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
959 1091
960Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1092Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
961supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1093supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
962non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>. 1094non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
963 1095
964=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1096=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
965 1097
966Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1098Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
967 1099
1100=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1101
1102Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1103the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1104Client Protocol).
1105
1106=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1107
1108Here be danger!
1109
1110As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1111there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1112its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1113the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1114
1115It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1116confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1117fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1118with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1119packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1120support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1121wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1122
968=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1123=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
969 1124
970A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1125Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
971HTTP requests. 1126notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1127
1128=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1129
1130Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1131toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1132L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1133file I/O, and much more.
972 1134
973=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1135=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
974 1136
975Provides a simple web application server framework. 1137A simple embedded webserver.
976 1138
977=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1139=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
978 1140
979The fastest ping in the west. 1141The fastest ping in the west.
980 1142
981=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
982
983Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
984
985=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
986
987Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
988programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
989together.
990
991=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
992
993Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
994L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
995
996=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
997
998A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
999
1000=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1001
1002AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1003
1004=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1005
1006AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1007Net::XMPP2>.
1008
1009=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1010
1011A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1012L<App::IGS>).
1013
1014=item L<Net::FCP>
1015
1016AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
1017of AnyEvent.
1018
1019=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
1020
1021High level API for event-based execution flow control.
1022
1023=item L<Coro> 1143=item L<Coro>
1024 1144
1025Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1145Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
1026 1146
1027=back 1147=back
1028 1148
1029=cut 1149=cut
1030 1150
1031package AnyEvent; 1151package AnyEvent;
1032 1152
1033no warnings; 1153# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1034use strict qw(vars subs); 1154sub common_sense {
1155 # from common:.sense 3.3
1156 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1157 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1158 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1159}
1035 1160
1161BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1162
1036use Carp; 1163use Carp ();
1037 1164
1038our $VERSION = 4.81; 1165our $VERSION = '5.29';
1039our $MODEL; 1166our $MODEL;
1040 1167
1041our $AUTOLOAD; 1168our $AUTOLOAD;
1042our @ISA; 1169our @ISA;
1043 1170
1044our @REGISTRY; 1171our @REGISTRY;
1045 1172
1046our $WIN32; 1173our $VERBOSE;
1047 1174
1048BEGIN { 1175BEGIN {
1049 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }"; 1176 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1177
1050 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }"; 1178 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1051 1179
1052 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} 1180 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1053 if ${^TAINT}; 1181 if ${^TAINT};
1054}
1055 1182
1056our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1183 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1184
1185}
1186
1187our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1057 1188
1058our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1189our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1059 1190
1060{ 1191{
1061 my $idx; 1192 my $idx;
1063 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1194 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1064 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1195 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1065} 1196}
1066 1197
1067my @models = ( 1198my @models = (
1068 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1199 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
1069 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
1070 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1200 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1071 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1201 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1072 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1202 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1073 # and is usually faster 1203 # and is usually faster
1204 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1074 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers 1205 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1075 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1206 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1207 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
1076 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1208 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1209 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1077 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1210 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
1078 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1079 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1211 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1080 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1212 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1081 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1082 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1083 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1084 # obvious default class.
1085# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1086# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program 1213 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::],
1087# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1088); 1214);
1089 1215
1090our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1216our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1091 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY); 1217 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
1092 1218
1093our @post_detect; 1219our @post_detect;
1094 1220
1095sub post_detect(&) { 1221sub post_detect(&) {
1096 my ($cb) = @_; 1222 my ($cb) = @_;
1097 1223
1098 if ($MODEL) {
1099 $cb->();
1100
1101 1
1102 } else {
1103 push @post_detect, $cb; 1224 push @post_detect, $cb;
1104 1225
1105 defined wantarray 1226 defined wantarray
1106 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect" 1227 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1107 : () 1228 : ()
1108 }
1109} 1229}
1110 1230
1111sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY { 1231sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1112 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1232 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1113} 1233}
1114 1234
1115sub detect() { 1235sub detect() {
1236 # free some memory
1237 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1238
1239 local $!; # for good measure
1240 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1241
1242 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1243 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1244 if (eval "require $model") {
1245 $MODEL = $model;
1246 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1247 } else {
1248 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1249 }
1250 }
1251
1252 # check for already loaded models
1116 unless ($MODEL) { 1253 unless ($MODEL) {
1117 no strict 'refs'; 1254 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1118 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1255 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1119 1256 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
1120 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1121 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1122 if (eval "require $model") { 1257 if (eval "require $model") {
1123 $MODEL = $model; 1258 $MODEL = $model;
1124 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1259 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1125 } else { 1260 last;
1126 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1261 }
1127 } 1262 }
1128 } 1263 }
1129 1264
1130 # check for already loaded models
1131 unless ($MODEL) { 1265 unless ($MODEL) {
1266 # try to autoload a model
1132 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1267 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1133 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1268 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1269 if (
1270 $autoload
1271 and eval "require $package"
1134 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1272 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1135 if (eval "require $model") { 1273 and eval "require $model"
1274 ) {
1136 $MODEL = $model; 1275 $MODEL = $model;
1137 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1276 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1138 last; 1277 last;
1139 }
1140 } 1278 }
1141 } 1279 }
1142 1280
1143 unless ($MODEL) {
1144 # try to load a model
1145
1146 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1147 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1148 if (eval "require $package"
1149 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1150 and eval "require $model") {
1151 $MODEL = $model;
1152 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
1153 last;
1154 }
1155 }
1156
1157 $MODEL 1281 $MODEL
1158 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n"; 1282 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?\n";
1159 }
1160 } 1283 }
1161
1162 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1163
1164 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1165
1166 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1167
1168 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1169 } 1284 }
1285
1286 @models = (); # free probe data
1287
1288 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1289 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1290
1291 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1292 # SUPER is not allowed.
1293 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1294 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1295 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1296 }
1297
1298 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1299 eval { require AnyEvent::Strict };
1300 warn "AnyEvent: cannot load AnyEvent::Strict: $@"
1301 if $@ && $VERBOSE;
1302 }
1303
1304 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1305
1306 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1307 shift->();
1308
1309 undef
1310 };
1170 1311
1171 $MODEL 1312 $MODEL
1172} 1313}
1173 1314
1174sub AUTOLOAD { 1315sub AUTOLOAD {
1175 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1316 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1176 1317
1177 $method{$func} 1318 $method{$func}
1178 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1319 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
1179 1320
1180 detect unless $MODEL; 1321 detect;
1181 1322
1182 my $class = shift; 1323 my $class = shift;
1183 $class->$func (@_); 1324 $class->$func (@_);
1184} 1325}
1185 1326
1188# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1329# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1189sub _dupfh($$;$$) { 1330sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1190 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1331 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1191 1332
1192 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1333 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1193 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") : ($w, ">"); 1334 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1194 1335
1195 open my $fh2, "$mode&", $fh 1336 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1196 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,"; 1337 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1197 1338
1198 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1339 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1199 1340
1200 ($fh2, $rw) 1341 ($fh2, $rw)
1201} 1342}
1202 1343
1344=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1345
1346Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1347simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1348overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1349
1350See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1351
1352=cut
1353
1354package AE;
1355
1356our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1357
1358# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1359# implementations can overwrite these.
1360
1361sub io($$$) {
1362 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1363}
1364
1365sub timer($$$) {
1366 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1367}
1368
1369sub signal($$) {
1370 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1371}
1372
1373sub child($$) {
1374 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1375}
1376
1377sub idle($) {
1378 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1379}
1380
1381sub cv(;&) {
1382 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1383}
1384
1385sub now() {
1386 AnyEvent->now
1387}
1388
1389sub now_update() {
1390 AnyEvent->now_update
1391}
1392
1393sub time() {
1394 AnyEvent->time
1395}
1396
1203package AnyEvent::Base; 1397package AnyEvent::Base;
1204 1398
1205# default implementations for many methods 1399# default implementations for many methods
1206 1400
1207BEGIN { 1401sub time {
1402 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1403 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1208 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") { 1404 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1405 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1209 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1406 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1210 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1407 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1211 } else { 1408 } else {
1409 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1212 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1410 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1411 }
1412
1413 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1414 };
1415 die if $@;
1416
1417 &time
1418}
1419
1420*now = \&time;
1421
1422sub now_update { }
1423
1424# default implementation for ->condvar
1425
1426sub condvar {
1427 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1428 *condvar = sub {
1429 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1430 };
1431
1432 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1433 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1434 };
1435 };
1436 die if $@;
1437
1438 &condvar
1439}
1440
1441# default implementation for ->signal
1442
1443our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1444
1445sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1446 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1447 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1448 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1449
1450 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1451}
1452
1453our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1454our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1455our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1456
1457# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1458# used by Impls
1459sub _sig_add() {
1460 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1461 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1462 my $NOW = AE::now;
1463
1464 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1465 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1466 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1467 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1468 ;
1213 } 1469 }
1214} 1470}
1215 1471
1216sub time { _time } 1472sub _sig_del {
1217sub now { _time } 1473 undef $SIG_TW
1218sub now_update { } 1474 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1219
1220# default implementation for ->condvar
1221
1222sub condvar {
1223 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1224} 1475}
1225 1476
1226# default implementation for ->signal 1477our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1478 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1479 undef $_sig_name_init;
1227 1480
1228our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1481 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1482 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1483 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1484 } else {
1485 require Config;
1229 1486
1230sub _signal_exec { 1487 my %signame2num;
1231 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1488 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1489 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1232 1490
1233 while (%SIG_EV) { 1491 my @signum2name;
1234 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1492 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1235 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1493
1236 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1494 *sig2num = sub($) {
1495 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1496 };
1497 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1498 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1499 };
1237 } 1500 }
1238 } 1501 };
1239} 1502 die if $@;
1503};
1504
1505sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1506sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1240 1507
1241sub signal { 1508sub signal {
1242 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1509 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1510 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1511 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1512 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1243 1513
1244 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1514 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1245 require Fcntl; 1515 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1246 1516
1247 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1248 require AnyEvent::Util;
1249
1250 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1251 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1252 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1253 } else { 1517 } else {
1518 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1519
1520 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1521 require AnyEvent::Util;
1522
1523 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1524 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1525 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1526 } else {
1254 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1527 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1255 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1528 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1256 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1529 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1257 1530
1258 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1531 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1259 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1532 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1260 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1533 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1534 }
1535
1536 $SIGPIPE_R
1537 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1538
1539 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1261 } 1540 }
1262 1541
1263 $SIGPIPE_R 1542 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1264 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1543 ? sub {
1544 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1265 1545
1266 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1546 # async::interrupt
1267 }
1268
1269 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1547 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1270 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1271
1272 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1548 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1549
1550 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1551 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1552 signal => $signal,
1553 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1554 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1555 ;
1556
1557 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1558 }
1559 : sub {
1560 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1561
1562 # pure perl
1563 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1564 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1565
1273 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1566 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1274 local $!; 1567 local $!;
1275 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1568 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1276 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1569 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1570 };
1571
1572 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1573 # so limit the signal latency.
1574 _sig_add;
1575
1576 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1577 }
1578 ;
1579
1580 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1581 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1582
1583 _sig_del;
1584
1585 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1586
1587 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1588 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1589 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1590 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1591 # instead of getting the default action.
1592 undef $SIG{$signal}
1593 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1594 };
1595
1596 *_signal_exec = sub {
1597 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1598 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1599 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1600
1601 while (%SIG_EV) {
1602 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1603 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1604 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1605 }
1606 }
1607 };
1277 }; 1608 };
1609 die if $@;
1278 1610
1279 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal" 1611 &signal
1280}
1281
1282sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1283 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1284
1285 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1286
1287 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1288 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1289 # instead of getting the default action.
1290 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1291} 1612}
1292 1613
1293# default implementation for ->child 1614# default implementation for ->child
1294 1615
1295our %PID_CB; 1616our %PID_CB;
1296our $CHLD_W; 1617our $CHLD_W;
1297our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1618our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1298our $WNOHANG;
1299 1619
1300sub _sigchld { 1620# used by many Impl's
1301 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1621sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1622 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1623
1624 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1302 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1625 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1303 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1626 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1304 }
1305} 1627}
1306 1628
1307sub child { 1629sub child {
1630 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1631 *_sigchld = sub {
1632 my $pid;
1633
1634 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1635 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1636 };
1637
1638 *child = sub {
1308 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1639 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1309 1640
1310 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1641 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1311 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1642 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1312 1643
1313 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1644 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1314 1645
1315 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1316
1317 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1646 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1318 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1647 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1319 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1648 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1320 &_sigchld; 1649 &_sigchld;
1321 } 1650 }
1322 1651
1323 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child" 1652 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1324} 1653 };
1325 1654
1326sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY { 1655 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1327 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1656 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1328 1657
1329 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1658 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1330 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1659 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1331 1660
1332 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1661 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1662 };
1663 };
1664 die if $@;
1665
1666 &child
1333} 1667}
1334 1668
1335# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless 1669# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1336# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting 1670# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1337# the callback use more than 50% of the time. 1671# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1338sub idle { 1672sub idle {
1673 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1674 *idle = sub {
1339 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1675 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1340 1676
1341 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb}; 1677 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1342 1678
1343 $rcb = sub { 1679 $rcb = sub {
1344 if ($cb) { 1680 if ($cb) {
1345 $w = _time; 1681 $w = _time;
1346 &$cb; 1682 &$cb;
1347 $w = _time - $w; 1683 $w = _time - $w;
1348 1684
1349 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher, 1685 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1350 # within some limits 1686 # within some limits
1351 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001; 1687 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1352 $w = 5 if $w > 5; 1688 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1353 1689
1354 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb); 1690 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1355 } else { 1691 } else {
1356 # clean up... 1692 # clean up...
1357 undef $w; 1693 undef $w;
1358 undef $rcb; 1694 undef $rcb;
1695 }
1696 };
1697
1698 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1699
1700 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1359 } 1701 };
1702
1703 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1704 undef $${$_[0]};
1705 };
1360 }; 1706 };
1707 die if $@;
1361 1708
1362 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb); 1709 &idle
1363
1364 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1365}
1366
1367sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1368 undef $${$_[0]};
1369} 1710}
1370 1711
1371package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1712package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1372 1713
1373our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1714our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1374 1715
1716# only to be used for subclassing
1717sub new {
1718 my $class = shift;
1719 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1720}
1721
1375package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1722package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1376 1723
1377use overload 1724#use overload
1378 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1725# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1379 fallback => 1; 1726# fallback => 1;
1727
1728# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1729${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1730*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1731*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1732${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1733
1734our $WAITING;
1380 1735
1381sub _send { 1736sub _send {
1382 # nop 1737 # nop
1383} 1738}
1384 1739
1397sub ready { 1752sub ready {
1398 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1753 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1399} 1754}
1400 1755
1401sub _wait { 1756sub _wait {
1757 $WAITING
1758 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1759 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1760
1761 local $WAITING = 1;
1402 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1762 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1403} 1763}
1404 1764
1405sub recv { 1765sub recv {
1406 $_[0]->_wait; 1766 $_[0]->_wait;
1408 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1768 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1409 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1769 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1410} 1770}
1411 1771
1412sub cb { 1772sub cb {
1413 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1773 my $cv = shift;
1774
1775 @_
1776 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1777 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1778 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1779
1414 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1780 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1415} 1781}
1416 1782
1417sub begin { 1783sub begin {
1418 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1784 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1419 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1785 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1468C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1834C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1469 1835
1470When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1836When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1471model it chooses. 1837model it chooses.
1472 1838
1839When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1840which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1841
1473=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1842=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1474 1843
1475AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1844AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1476argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1845argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1477will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1846will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1478check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems, 1847check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1479it will croak. 1848it will croak.
1480 1849
1481In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1850In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1482 1851
1483Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in 1852Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1484production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1853>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1485developing programs can be very useful, however. 1854C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1855can be very useful, however.
1486 1856
1487=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1857=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1488 1858
1489This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1859This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1490auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1860auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1552 1922
1553When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during 1923When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1554L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment 1924L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1555variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations 1925variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1556instead of a system-dependent default. 1926instead of a system-dependent default.
1927
1928=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1929
1930When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1931loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1557 1932
1558=back 1933=back
1559 1934
1560=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1935=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1561 1936
1619 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1994 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1620 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1995 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1621 }, 1996 },
1622 ); 1997 );
1623 1998
1624 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1625
1626 sub new_timer {
1627 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1999 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1628 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2000 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1629 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1630 }); 2001 });
1631 }
1632
1633 new_timer; # create first timer
1634 2002
1635 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2003 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1636 2004
1637=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2005=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1638 2006
1711 2079
1712The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2080The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1713that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2081that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1714whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2082whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1715and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2083and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1716problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2084problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1717random callback. 2085random callback.
1718 2086
1719All of this enables the following usage styles: 2087All of this enables the following usage styles:
1720 2088
17211. Blocking: 20891. Blocking:
1769through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2137through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1770timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2138timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1771which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2139which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1772 2140
1773Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2141Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1774distribution. 2142distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2143for the EV and Perl backends only.
1775 2144
1776=head3 Explanation of the columns 2145=head3 Explanation of the columns
1777 2146
1778I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2147I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1779different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2148different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1800watcher. 2169watcher.
1801 2170
1802=head3 Results 2171=head3 Results
1803 2172
1804 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2173 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1805 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2174 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1806 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2175 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1807 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2176 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1808 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2177 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1809 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2178 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1810 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2179 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1811 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll 2180 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1812 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll 2181 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1813 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2182 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1814 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2183 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1815 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2184 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1816 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2185 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1817 2186
1818=head3 Discussion 2187=head3 Discussion
1819 2188
1820The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2189The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1821well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2190well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1833benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2202benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1834EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2203EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1835cycles with POE. 2204cycles with POE.
1836 2205
1837C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2206C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1838maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2207maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2208overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2209slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1839far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2210any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1840natively.
1841 2211
1842The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2212The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1843constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2213constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1844interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2214interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1845adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2215adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1919In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2289In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1920(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2290(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1921connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2291connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1922 2292
1923Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2293Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1924distribution. 2294distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2295for the EV and Perl backends only.
1925 2296
1926=head3 Explanation of the columns 2297=head3 Explanation of the columns
1927 2298
1928I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2299I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1929each server has a read and write socket end). 2300each server has a read and write socket end).
1937a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2308a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1938 2309
1939=head3 Results 2310=head3 Results
1940 2311
1941 name sockets create request 2312 name sockets create request
1942 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2313 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1943 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2314 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1944 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll 2315 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1945 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll 2316 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
1946 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2317 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
1947 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2318 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1948 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2319 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1949 2320
1950=head3 Discussion 2321=head3 Discussion
1951 2322
1952This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2323This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1953particular event loop. 2324particular event loop.
2079As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the 2450As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2080hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl 2451hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2081backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE. 2452backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2082 2453
2083And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and 2454And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2084slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a 2455slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2085large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O 2456higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2086in a non-blocking way. 2457it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2087 2458
2088The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and 2459The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2089F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are 2460F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2090part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes. 2461part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2091 2462
2092 2463
2093=head1 SIGNALS 2464=head1 SIGNALS
2094 2465
2095AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2466AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2100 2471
2101A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2472A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2102emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2473emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2103event loops install a similar handler. 2474event loops install a similar handler.
2104 2475
2105If, when AnyEvent is loaded, SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then AnyEvent will 2476Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2106reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses. 2477AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2107 2478
2108=item SIGPIPE 2479=item SIGPIPE
2109 2480
2110A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2481A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2111when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2482when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2129 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE'; 2500 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2130 2501
2131$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2502$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2132 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2503 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2133 2504
2505=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2506
2507One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2508its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2509
2510That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2511modules if they are installed.
2512
2513This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2514affect AnyEvent's operation.
2515
2516=over 4
2517
2518=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2519
2520This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2521my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2522signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2523delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2524catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2525C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2526
2527If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2528catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2529will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2530battery life on laptops).
2531
2532This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2533that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2534
2535Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2536and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2537(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2538does nothing for those backends.
2539
2540=item L<EV>
2541
2542This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2543event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2544loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2545the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2546automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2547can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2548C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2549L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2550
2551If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2552then this module will do nothing for you.
2553
2554=item L<Guard>
2555
2556The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2557C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2558lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2559purely used for performance.
2560
2561=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2562
2563One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2564via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2565advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2566
2567=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2568
2569Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2570worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2571the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2572
2573=item L<Time::HiRes>
2574
2575This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2576chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2577pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2578try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2579
2580=back
2581
2582
2134=head1 FORK 2583=head1 FORK
2135 2584
2136Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2585Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
2137because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2586because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
2138calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2587- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2588are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2589one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2590continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2591what you are doing).
2592
2593This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2594the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2595usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2596is loaded).
2139 2597
2140If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2598If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
2141watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2599watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2600something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2601
2602The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2603is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2604fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2605watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2606parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2607to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2608preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2609to have another binary.
2142 2610
2143 2611
2144=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2612=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
2145 2613
2146AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2614AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
2176pronounced). 2644pronounced).
2177 2645
2178 2646
2179=head1 SEE ALSO 2647=head1 SEE ALSO
2180 2648
2649Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2650
2651FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2652
2181Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2653Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
2182 2654
2183Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2655Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
2184L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2656L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
2185 2657
2186Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2658Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
2187L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2659L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
2188L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2660L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
2189L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>. 2661L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
2190 2662
2191Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2663Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2192servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>. 2664servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2193 2665
2194Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2666Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2195 2667
2196Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, 2668Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
2197L<Coro::Event>,
2198 2669
2199Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, 2670Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2200L<AnyEvent::HTTP>. 2671L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
2201 2672
2202 2673
2203=head1 AUTHOR 2674=head1 AUTHOR
2204 2675

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines