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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6event loops. 6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
7 7
8=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
9 9
10 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
11 11
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41 41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
45 53
46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
47 55
48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
174declared. 182declared.
175 183
176=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
177 185
186 $w = AnyEvent->io (
187 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
188 poll => <"r" or "w">,
189 cb => <callback>,
190 );
191
178You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 192You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 193with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
180 194
181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 195C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
182for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file 196for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
183handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 197handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
184non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 198non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
185most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files 199most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
186or block devices. 200or block devices.
211 undef $w; 225 undef $w;
212 }); 226 });
213 227
214=head2 TIME WATCHERS 228=head2 TIME WATCHERS
215 229
230 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
231
232 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
233 after => <fractional_seconds>,
234 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
235 cb => <callback>,
236 );
237
216You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 238You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
217method with the following mandatory arguments: 239method with the following mandatory arguments:
218 240
219C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 241C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
220supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 242supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
347 369
348=back 370=back
349 371
350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 372=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
351 373
374 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
375
352You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 376You 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 377I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 378callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
355 379
356Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 380Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 385invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
362that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 386that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 387but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
364 388
365The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 389The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
366between multiple watchers. 390between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
391interrupt your program at bad times.
367 392
368This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 393This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
369directly will likely not work correctly. 394so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
395correctly.
370 396
371Example: exit on SIGINT 397Example: exit on SIGINT
372 398
373 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 399 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
374 400
401=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
402
403Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
404callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
405do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
406this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
407signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
408specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
409variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
410and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
411AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
412will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
413saving.
414
415All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
416L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
417work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
418(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
419one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
420
375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 421=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
376 422
423 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
424
377You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 425You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
378 426
379The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 427The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 428using 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 429croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
382any trace events (stopped/continued). 430finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
431(stopped/continued).
383 432
384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 433The 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 434waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments. 435callback arguments.
387 436
392 441
393There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 442There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
394I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 443I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
395have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 444have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
396 445
397Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 446Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
447see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
398event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 448that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
399loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 449the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
450pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
451start the watcher.
400 452
401This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 453This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
402AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 454thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
403C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 455watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
456C<AnyEvent::detect>).
457
458As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
459emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
460mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
404 461
405Example: fork a process and wait for it 462Example: fork a process and wait for it
406 463
407 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 464 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
408 465
420 # do something else, then wait for process exit 477 # do something else, then wait for process exit
421 $done->recv; 478 $done->recv;
422 479
423=head2 IDLE WATCHERS 480=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
424 481
482 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
483
425Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important 484Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
426to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This 485to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
427"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need 486"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
428attention by the event loop". 487attention by the event loop".
429 488
455 }); 514 });
456 }); 515 });
457 516
458=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 517=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
459 518
519 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
520
521 $cv->send (<list>);
522 my @res = $cv->recv;
523
460If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 524If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
461require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 525require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
462will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 526will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
463 527
464AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 528AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
465will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 529loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
466 530
467The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 531The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
468because they represent a condition that must become true. 532because they represent a condition that must become true.
469 533
534Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
535
470Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 536Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
471>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 537>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
472
473C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 538C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
474becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 539becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
475the results). 540the results).
476 541
477After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 542After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
482Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 547Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
483optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 548optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
484in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 549in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
485another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 550another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
486used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 551used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
487a result. 552a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
553compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
488 554
489Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 555Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
490for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 556for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
491then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 557then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
492availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 558availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
526 after => 1, 592 after => 1,
527 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 593 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
528 ); 594 );
529 595
530 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 596 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
531 # calls send 597 # calls -<send
532 $result_ready->recv; 598 $result_ready->recv;
533 599
534Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 600Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
535condition variables are also code references. 601variables are also callable directly.
536 602
537 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 603 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
538 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 604 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
539 $done->recv; 605 $done->recv;
540 606
546 612
547 ... 613 ...
548 614
549 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 615 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
550 616
551And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 617And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
552results are available: 618results are available:
553 619
554 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 620 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
555 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 621 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
556 }); 622 });
574immediately from within send. 640immediately from within send.
575 641
576Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 642Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
577future C<< ->recv >> calls. 643future C<< ->recv >> calls.
578 644
579Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 645Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
580(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 646they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
581C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 647C<send>.
582overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
583instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
584support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
585invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
586example).
587 648
588=item $cv->croak ($error) 649=item $cv->croak ($error)
589 650
590Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 651Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
591C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 652C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
592 653
593This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 654This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
594user/consumer. 655user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
656delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
657diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
658deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
659the problem.
595 660
596=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 661=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
597 662
598=item $cv->end 663=item $cv->end
599
600These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
601 664
602These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 665These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
603one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 666one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
604to use a condition variable for the whole process. 667to use a condition variable for the whole process.
605 668
607C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 670C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
608>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 671>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
609is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 672is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
610callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 673callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
611 674
612Let's clarify this with the ping example: 675You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
676sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
677condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
678
679Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
680STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
681close before activating a condvar:
682
683 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
684
685 $cv->begin; # first watcher
686 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
687 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
688 or $cv->end;
689 });
690
691 $cv->begin; # second watcher
692 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
693 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
694 or $cv->end;
695 });
696
697 $cv->recv;
698
699This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
700one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
701sending.
702
703The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
704there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
705begung can potentially be zero:
613 706
614 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 707 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
615 708
616 my %result; 709 my %result;
617 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 710 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
637loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 730loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
638to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 731to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
639C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 732C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
640doesn't execute once). 733doesn't execute once).
641 734
642This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 735This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
643use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 736potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
644is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 737the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
645C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 738subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
739call C<end>.
646 740
647=back 741=back
648 742
649=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 743=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
650 744
666function will call C<croak>. 760function will call C<croak>.
667 761
668In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 762In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
669in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 763in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
670 764
765Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
766event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
767>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
768condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
769L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
770any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
771
671Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 772Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
672(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 773(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
673using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 774using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
674caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 775caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
675condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 776condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
676callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 777callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
677while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 778while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
678 779
679Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
680sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
681multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
682can supply.
683
684The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
685fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
686versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
687C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
688coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
689
690You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 780You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
691only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 781only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
692time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 782time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
693waits otherwise. 783waits otherwise.
694 784
700=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv)) 790=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
701 791
702This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 792This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
703replaces it before doing so. 793replaces it before doing so.
704 794
705The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 795The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
706C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 796"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
707variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 797the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
708is guaranteed not to block. 798inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
709 799
710=back 800=back
711 801
802=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
803
804The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
805
806=over 4
807
808=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
809
810EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
811use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
812pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
813AnyEvent itself.
814
815 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
816 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
817
818=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
819
820These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
821is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
822them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
823when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
824create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
825
826 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
827 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
828 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
829 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
830 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
831 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
832
833=item Backends with special needs.
834
835Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
836otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
837instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
838everything should just work.
839
840 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
841
842Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
843architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
844is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
845it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
846L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
847
848 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
849
850=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
851
852Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
853
854There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
855
856B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
857use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
858polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
859consider for AnyEvent.
860
861B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
862backend, so it can be supported through POE.
863
864AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
865load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
866in which case everything will be automatic.
867
868=back
869
712=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 870=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
713 871
872These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
873write AnyEvent extension modules.
874
714=over 4 875=over 4
715 876
716=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 877=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
717 878
718Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 879Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
880backend has been autodetected.
881
719contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 882Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
720Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 883name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
721C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 884of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
722AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 885case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
723 886will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
724The known classes so far are:
725
726 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
727 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
728 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
729 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
730 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
731 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
732 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
733 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
734
735There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
736watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
737POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
738second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
739AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
740it's adaptor.
741
742AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
743autodetecting them.
744 887
745=item AnyEvent::detect 888=item AnyEvent::detect
746 889
747Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 890Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
748if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 891if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
749have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 892have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
750runtime. 893runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
894
895If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
896created, use C<post_detect>.
751 897
752=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 898=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
753 899
754Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 900Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
755autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 901autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
756 902
903The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
904(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
905created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
906other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
907L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
908
909The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
910event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
911and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
912avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
913
757If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 914If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
758that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 915that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
916C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
759L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 917a case where this is useful.
918
919Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
920C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
921
922 our WATCHER;
923
924 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
925 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
926 };
927
928 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
929 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
930 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
931 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
932
933 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
760 934
761=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 935=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
762 936
763If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 937If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
764before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 938before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
765the event loop has been chosen. 939the event loop has been chosen.
766 940
767You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 941You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
768if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 942if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
769and the array will be ignored. 943array will be ignored.
770 944
771Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 945Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
946it,as it takes care of these details.
947
948This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
949when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
950not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
951into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
772 952
773=back 953=back
774 954
775=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 955=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
776 956
831 1011
832 1012
833=head1 OTHER MODULES 1013=head1 OTHER MODULES
834 1014
835The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1015The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
836AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1016AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
837in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1017modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
838available via CPAN. 1018come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
839 1019
840=over 4 1020=over 4
841 1021
842=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1022=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
843 1023
852 1032
853=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1033=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
854 1034
855Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1035Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
856supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1036supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
857non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1037non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
858 1038
859=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1039=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
860 1040
861Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1041Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
862 1042
890 1070
891=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1071=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
892 1072
893A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1073A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
894 1074
1075=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1076
1077AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1078
1079=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1080
1081AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1082Net::XMPP2>.
1083
895=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1084=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
896 1085
897A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1086A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
898L<App::IGS>). 1087L<App::IGS>).
899 1088
900=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
901
902AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
903
904=item L<Net::XMPP2>
905
906AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
907
908=item L<Net::FCP> 1089=item L<Net::FCP>
909 1090
910AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1091AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
911of AnyEvent. 1092of AnyEvent.
912 1093
916 1097
917=item L<Coro> 1098=item L<Coro>
918 1099
919Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1100Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
920 1101
921=item L<IO::Lambda>
922
923The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
924
925=back 1102=back
926 1103
927=cut 1104=cut
928 1105
929package AnyEvent; 1106package AnyEvent;
930 1107
1108# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1109sub common_sense {
931no warnings; 1110 # no warnings
1111 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
932use strict qw(vars subs); 1112 # use strict vars subs
1113 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1114}
933 1115
1116BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1117
934use Carp; 1118use Carp ();
935 1119
936our $VERSION = 4.411; 1120our $VERSION = 4.92;
937our $MODEL; 1121our $MODEL;
938 1122
939our $AUTOLOAD; 1123our $AUTOLOAD;
940our @ISA; 1124our @ISA;
941 1125
942our @REGISTRY; 1126our @REGISTRY;
943 1127
944our $WIN32; 1128our $WIN32;
945 1129
1130our $VERBOSE;
1131
946BEGIN { 1132BEGIN {
947 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1133 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
948 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1134 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
949}
950 1135
1136 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1137 if ${^TAINT};
1138
951our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1139 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1140
1141}
1142
1143our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
952 1144
953our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1145our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
954 1146
955{ 1147{
956 my $idx; 1148 my $idx;
958 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1150 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
959 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1151 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
960} 1152}
961 1153
962my @models = ( 1154my @models = (
963 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1155 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
964 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
965 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1156 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
966 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1157 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
967 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1158 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
968 # and is usually faster 1159 # and is usually faster
1160 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1161 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1162 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1163 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
969 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1164 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
970 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
971 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
972 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1165 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
973 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1166 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
974 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1167 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
975 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1168 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1169 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1170 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1171 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1172 # obvious default class.
1173# [0, IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1174# [0, IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1175# [0, IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
976); 1176);
977 1177
978our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1178our %method = map +($_ => 1),
979 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY); 1179 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
980 1180
984 my ($cb) = @_; 1184 my ($cb) = @_;
985 1185
986 if ($MODEL) { 1186 if ($MODEL) {
987 $cb->(); 1187 $cb->();
988 1188
989 1 1189 undef
990 } else { 1190 } else {
991 push @post_detect, $cb; 1191 push @post_detect, $cb;
992 1192
993 defined wantarray 1193 defined wantarray
994 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect" 1194 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1000 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1200 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1001} 1201}
1002 1202
1003sub detect() { 1203sub detect() {
1004 unless ($MODEL) { 1204 unless ($MODEL) {
1005 no strict 'refs';
1006 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1205 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1007 1206
1008 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1207 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1009 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1208 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1010 if (eval "require $model") { 1209 if (eval "require $model") {
1011 $MODEL = $model; 1210 $MODEL = $model;
1012 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1211 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1013 } else { 1212 } else {
1014 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1213 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1015 } 1214 }
1016 } 1215 }
1017 1216
1018 # check for already loaded models 1217 # check for already loaded models
1019 unless ($MODEL) { 1218 unless ($MODEL) {
1020 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1219 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1021 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1220 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1022 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1221 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
1023 if (eval "require $model") { 1222 if (eval "require $model") {
1024 $MODEL = $model; 1223 $MODEL = $model;
1025 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1224 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1026 last; 1225 last;
1027 } 1226 }
1028 } 1227 }
1029 } 1228 }
1030 1229
1031 unless ($MODEL) { 1230 unless ($MODEL) {
1032 # try to load a model 1231 # try to autoload a model
1033
1034 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1232 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1035 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1233 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1234 if (
1235 $autoload
1036 if (eval "require $package" 1236 and eval "require $package"
1037 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1237 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1038 and eval "require $model") { 1238 and eval "require $model"
1239 ) {
1039 $MODEL = $model; 1240 $MODEL = $model;
1040 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1241 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1041 last; 1242 last;
1042 } 1243 }
1043 } 1244 }
1044 1245
1045 $MODEL 1246 $MODEL
1061 1262
1062sub AUTOLOAD { 1263sub AUTOLOAD {
1063 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1264 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1064 1265
1065 $method{$func} 1266 $method{$func}
1066 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1267 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
1067 1268
1068 detect unless $MODEL; 1269 detect unless $MODEL;
1069 1270
1070 my $class = shift; 1271 my $class = shift;
1071 $class->$func (@_); 1272 $class->$func (@_);
1072} 1273}
1073 1274
1074# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1275# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1075# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1276# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1076# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1277# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1077sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1278sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1078 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1279 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1079 1280
1080 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1281 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1081 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1282 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1082 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1083 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1084 1283
1085 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1284 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1086 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!,"; 1285 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1087 1286
1088 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1287 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1089 1288
1090 ($fh2, $rw) 1289 ($fh2, $rw)
1091} 1290}
1092 1291
1292#############################################################################
1293# "new" API, currently only emulation of it
1294#############################################################################
1295
1296package AE;
1297
1298our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1299
1300sub io($$$) {
1301 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1302}
1303
1304sub timer($$$) {
1305 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2]);
1306}
1307
1308sub signal($$) {
1309 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1]);
1310}
1311
1312sub child($$) {
1313 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1]);
1314}
1315
1316sub idle($) {
1317 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0]);
1318}
1319
1320sub cv(;&) {
1321 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1322}
1323
1324sub now() {
1325 AnyEvent->now
1326}
1327
1328sub now_update() {
1329 AnyEvent->now_update
1330}
1331
1332sub time() {
1333 AnyEvent->time
1334}
1335
1093package AnyEvent::Base; 1336package AnyEvent::Base;
1094 1337
1095# default implementations for many methods 1338# default implementations for many methods
1096 1339
1097BEGIN { 1340sub _time {
1341 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1098 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") { 1342 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1343 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1099 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1344 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1100 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1345 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1101 } else { 1346 } else {
1347 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1102 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1348 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1103 } 1349 }
1350
1351 &_time
1104} 1352}
1105 1353
1106sub time { _time } 1354sub time { _time }
1107sub now { _time } 1355sub now { _time }
1108sub now_update { } 1356sub now_update { }
1113 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar" 1361 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1114} 1362}
1115 1363
1116# default implementation for ->signal 1364# default implementation for ->signal
1117 1365
1366our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1367
1368sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1369 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1370 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.0 (); 1")
1371 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1372
1373 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1374}
1375
1118our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1376our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1377our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1378our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1119 1379
1120sub _signal_exec { 1380sub _signal_exec {
1381 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1382 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1121 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1383 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1122 1384
1123 while (%SIG_EV) { 1385 while (%SIG_EV) {
1124 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1386 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1125 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1387 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1126 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1388 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1127 } 1389 }
1128 } 1390 }
1129} 1391}
1130 1392
1393# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1394sub _sig_add() {
1395 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1396 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1397 my $NOW = AE::now;
1398
1399 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1400 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1401 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1402 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1403 ;
1404 }
1405}
1406
1407sub _sig_del {
1408 undef $SIG_TW
1409 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1410}
1411
1412our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1413 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1414 undef $_sig_name_init;
1415
1416 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1417 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1418 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1419 } else {
1420 require Config;
1421
1422 my %signame2num;
1423 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1424 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1425
1426 my @signum2name;
1427 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1428
1429 *sig2num = sub($) {
1430 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1431 };
1432 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1433 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1434 };
1435 }
1436 };
1437 die if $@;
1438};
1439
1440sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1441sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1442
1131sub signal { 1443sub signal {
1132 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1444 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1445 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1446 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1447 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1133 1448
1134 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1449 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1135 require Fcntl; 1450 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1136 1451
1137 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1138 require AnyEvent::Util;
1139
1140 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1141 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1142 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1143 } else { 1452 } else {
1453 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1454
1455 require Fcntl;
1456
1457 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1458 require AnyEvent::Util;
1459
1460 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1461 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1462 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1463 } else {
1144 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1464 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1145 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1465 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1146 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1466 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1147 1467
1148 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1468 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1149 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1469 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1150 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1470 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1471 }
1472
1473 $SIGPIPE_R
1474 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1475
1476 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1151 } 1477 }
1152 1478
1153 $SIGPIPE_R 1479 *signal = sub {
1154 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1480 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1155 1481
1156 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1157 }
1158
1159 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1482 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
1160 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1483 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1161 1484
1485 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1486 # async::interrupt
1487
1488 $signal = sig2num $signal;
1162 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1489 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1490
1491 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1492 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1493 signal => $signal,
1494 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1495 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1496 ;
1497
1498 } else {
1499 # pure perl
1500
1501 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1502 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1503 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1504
1163 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1505 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1164 local $!; 1506 local $!;
1165 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1507 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1166 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1508 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1509 };
1510
1511 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1512 # so limit the signal latency.
1513 _sig_add;
1514 }
1515
1516 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1517 };
1518
1519 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1520 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1521
1522 _sig_del;
1523
1524 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1525
1526 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1527 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1528 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1529 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1530 # instead of getting the default action.
1531 undef $SIG{$signal}
1532 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1533 };
1167 }; 1534 };
1168 1535 die if $@;
1169 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal" 1536 &signal
1170}
1171
1172sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1173 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1174
1175 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1176
1177 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1178 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1179 # instead of getting the default action.
1180 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1181} 1537}
1182 1538
1183# default implementation for ->child 1539# default implementation for ->child
1184 1540
1185our %PID_CB; 1541our %PID_CB;
1186our $CHLD_W; 1542our $CHLD_W;
1187our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1543our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1188our $WNOHANG; 1544our $WNOHANG;
1189 1545
1546sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1547 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1548
1549 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1550 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1551 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1552}
1553
1190sub _sigchld { 1554sub _sigchld {
1555 my $pid;
1556
1557 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1191 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1558 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1192 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }),
1193 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} });
1194 }
1195} 1559}
1196 1560
1197sub child { 1561sub child {
1198 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1562 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1199 1563
1200 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1564 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1201 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1565 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1202 1566
1203 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1567 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1204 1568
1569 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1570 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1571 ? 1
1205 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1572 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1206 1573
1207 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1574 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1208 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1575 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1209 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1576 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1210 &_sigchld; 1577 &_sigchld;
1211 } 1578 }
1212 1579
1213 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child" 1580 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1239 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher, 1606 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1240 # within some limits 1607 # within some limits
1241 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001; 1608 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1242 $w = 5 if $w > 5; 1609 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1243 1610
1244 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb); 1611 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1245 } else { 1612 } else {
1246 # clean up... 1613 # clean up...
1247 undef $w; 1614 undef $w;
1248 undef $rcb; 1615 undef $rcb;
1249 } 1616 }
1250 }; 1617 };
1251 1618
1252 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb); 1619 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1253 1620
1254 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle" 1621 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1255} 1622}
1256 1623
1257sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY { 1624sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1262 1629
1263our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1630our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1264 1631
1265package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1632package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1266 1633
1267use overload 1634#use overload
1268 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1635# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1269 fallback => 1; 1636# fallback => 1;
1637
1638# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1639${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1640*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1641*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1642${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1643
1644our $WAITING;
1270 1645
1271sub _send { 1646sub _send {
1272 # nop 1647 # nop
1273} 1648}
1274 1649
1287sub ready { 1662sub ready {
1288 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1663 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1289} 1664}
1290 1665
1291sub _wait { 1666sub _wait {
1667 $WAITING
1668 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1669 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1670
1671 local $WAITING = 1;
1292 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1672 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1293} 1673}
1294 1674
1295sub recv { 1675sub recv {
1296 $_[0]->_wait; 1676 $_[0]->_wait;
1298 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1678 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1299 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1679 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1300} 1680}
1301 1681
1302sub cb { 1682sub cb {
1303 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1683 my $cv = shift;
1684
1685 @_
1686 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1687 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1688 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1689
1304 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1690 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1305} 1691}
1306 1692
1307sub begin { 1693sub begin {
1308 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1694 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1309 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1695 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1337so on. 1723so on.
1338 1724
1339=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1725=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1340 1726
1341The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1727The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1342submodules: 1728submodules.
1729
1730Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1731C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1732enabled.
1343 1733
1344=over 4 1734=over 4
1345 1735
1346=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1736=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1347 1737
1354C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1744C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1355 1745
1356When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1746When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1357model it chooses. 1747model it chooses.
1358 1748
1749When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1750which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1751
1359=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1752=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1360 1753
1361AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1754AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1362argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1755argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1363will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1756will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1364check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1757check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1365it will croak. 1758it will croak.
1366 1759
1367In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1760In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1368 1761
1369Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1762Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1370production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1763>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1371developing programs can be very useful, however. 1764C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1765can be very useful, however.
1372 1766
1373=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1767=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1374 1768
1375This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1769This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1376auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1770auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1419 1813
1420=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1814=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1421 1815
1422The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1816The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1423will create in parallel. 1817will create in parallel.
1818
1819=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1820
1821The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1822resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1823sent to the DNS server.
1824
1825=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1826
1827The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1828configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1829default config will be used.
1830
1831=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1832
1833When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1834L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1835variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1836instead of a system-dependent default.
1837
1838=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1839
1840When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1841loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1424 1842
1425=back 1843=back
1426 1844
1427=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1845=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1428 1846
1673 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2091 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1674 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2092 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1675 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2093 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1676 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2094 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1677 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2095 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2096 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2097 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1678 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2098 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1679 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2099 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1680 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2100 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1681 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2101 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1682 2102
1711performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2131performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1712them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2132them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1713 2133
1714The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2134The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1715cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2135cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2136
2137C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2138when using its pure perl backend.
1716 2139
1717C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2140C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1718faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2141faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1719C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2142C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1720watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2143watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1798it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2221it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1799a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2222a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1800 2223
1801=head3 Results 2224=head3 Results
1802 2225
1803 name sockets create request 2226 name sockets create request
1804 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2227 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1805 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2228 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2229 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2230 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1806 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2231 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1807 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2232 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1808 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2233 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1809 2234
1810=head3 Discussion 2235=head3 Discussion
1811 2236
1812This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2237This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1813particular event loop. 2238particular event loop.
1815EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2240EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1816is relatively high, though. 2241is relatively high, though.
1817 2242
1818Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2243Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1819loops Event and Glib. 2244loops Event and Glib.
2245
2246IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2247good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1820 2248
1821Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2249Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1822understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2250understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1823the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2251the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1824uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2252uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1887=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2315=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1888watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2316watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1889 2317
1890=back 2318=back
1891 2319
2320=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2321
2322Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2323could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2324simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2325shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2326fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2327very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2328baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2329
2330The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2331connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2332creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2333test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2334benchmark nevertheless.
2335
2336 name runtime
2337 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2338 + optimized 0.122 sec
2339 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2340 + optimized 0.138 sec
2341 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2342 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2343 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2344 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2345
2346 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2347 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2348 +state machine 0.134 sec
2349
2350The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2351benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2352defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2353written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2354AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2355resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2356generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2357connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2358
2359The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2360offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2361Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2362non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2363
2364As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2365hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2366backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2367
2368And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2369slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2370large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2371in a non-blocking way.
2372
2373The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2374F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2375part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2376
1892 2377
1893=head1 SIGNALS 2378=head1 SIGNALS
1894 2379
1895AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2380AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1896 2381
1899=item SIGCHLD 2384=item SIGCHLD
1900 2385
1901A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2386A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1902emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2387emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1903event loops install a similar handler. 2388event loops install a similar handler.
2389
2390Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2391AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1904 2392
1905=item SIGPIPE 2393=item SIGPIPE
1906 2394
1907A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2395A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1908when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2396when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1920 2408
1921=back 2409=back
1922 2410
1923=cut 2411=cut
1924 2412
2413undef $SIG{CHLD}
2414 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2415
1925$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2416$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1926 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2417 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2418
2419=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2420
2421One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2422it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2423
2424That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2425modules if they are installed.
2426
2427This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2428affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2429
2430=over 4
2431
2432=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2433
2434This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2435my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2436signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2437delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2438catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2439C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2440
2441If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2442catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2443will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2444battery life on laptops).
2445
2446This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2447that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2448
2449Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2450and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2451(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2452does nothing for those backends.
2453
2454=item L<EV>
2455
2456This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2457event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2458loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2459the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2460automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2461can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2462C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2463L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2464
2465=item L<Guard>
2466
2467The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2468C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2469lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2470purely used for performance.
2471
2472=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2473
2474This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2475L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2476advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2477
2478In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2479installed.
2480
2481=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2482
2483Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2484worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2485the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2486
2487=item L<Time::HiRes>
2488
2489This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2490chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2491pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2492try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2493
2494=back
1927 2495
1928 2496
1929=head1 FORK 2497=head1 FORK
1930 2498
1931Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2499Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1932because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2500because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1933calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2501calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1934 2502
1935If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2503If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1936watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2504watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2505something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1937 2506
1938 2507
1939=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2508=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1940 2509
1941AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2510AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1955Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2524Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1956be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2525be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1957probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2526probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1958$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}. 2527$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
1959 2528
2529Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2530C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2531enabled.
2532
1960 2533
1961=head1 BUGS 2534=head1 BUGS
1962 2535
1963Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2536Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1964to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2537to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1975L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2548L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1976 2549
1977Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2550Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1978L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2551L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1979L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2552L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1980L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2553L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1981 2554
1982Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2555Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1983servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2556servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1984 2557
1985Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2558Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1986 2559
1987Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2560Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2561L<Coro::Event>,
1988 2562
1989Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2563Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2564L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1990 2565
1991 2566
1992=head1 AUTHOR 2567=head1 AUTHOR
1993 2568
1994 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2569 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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