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 1.133 by root, Sun May 25 03:44:03 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.282 by root, Tue Aug 11 01:18:27 2009 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, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
39
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
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.
22 53
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 55
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 58
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 61
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 62First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 63interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 65the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 66only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
37 69
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 70The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 74model you use.
43 75
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 77actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 78like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 80that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 82
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 85with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 86your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 88event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 89use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 91
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 92In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 93model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 94modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 95follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 96offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 97technically possible.
66 98
99Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
100of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
101non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
102such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
103platform bugs and differences.
104
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 105Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 106useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 107model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 108
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 109=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 110
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 140starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 141use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 142
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 143The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 144C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 145explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 146
109=head1 WATCHERS 147=head1 WATCHERS
110 148
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 149AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 150stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 156is in control).
119 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 166to it).
123 167
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 170Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 171example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 172
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 173An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 174
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 175 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 176 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 177 undef $w;
134 }); 178 });
135 179
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 180Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 182declared.
139 183
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 185
186 $w = AnyEvent->io (
187 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
188 poll => <"r" or "w">,
189 cb => <callback>,
190 );
191
142You 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
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 193with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 194
145C<fh> 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
196for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
197handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
198non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
199most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
200or block devices.
201
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 202C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
147which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 203watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
204
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 205C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 206
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 207Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 208presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 209callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 210
158 214
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 215Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 216always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 217handles.
162 218
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 219Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
220watcher.
221
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 222 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 223 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 224 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 225 undef $w;
170 }); 226 });
171 227
172=head2 TIME WATCHERS 228=head2 TIME WATCHERS
173 229
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
174You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 238You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
175method with the following mandatory arguments: 239method with the following mandatory arguments:
176 240
177C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 241C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
178supported) 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
180 244
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 245Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 246presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 247callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 248
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 249The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 250parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 251callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
252seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
253false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
188 254
189Example: 255The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
256attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
257only approximate.
190 258
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 259Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
260
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 261 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 262 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 263 });
195 264
196 # to cancel the timer: 265 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 266 undef $w;
198 267
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 268Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 269
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 270 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
271 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 272 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 273
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 274=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 275
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 276There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 277in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
227timers. 289timers.
228 290
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 291AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 292AnyEvent API.
231 293
294AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
295
296=over 4
297
298=item AnyEvent->time
299
300This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
301seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
302return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
303
304It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
305will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
306
307=item AnyEvent->now
308
309This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
310this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
311the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
312time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
313
314I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
315function to call when you want to know the current time.>
316
317This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
318thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
319L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
320
321The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
322with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
323
324For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
325and L<EV> and the following set-up:
326
327The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
328time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
329you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
330second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
331after three seconds.
332
333With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
334both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
335be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
336
337With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
338time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
339last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
340to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
341
342In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
343regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
344callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
345higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
346
347In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
348the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
349
350In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
351can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
352difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
353account.
354
355=item AnyEvent->now_update
356
357Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
358the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
359AnyEvent->now >>, above).
360
361When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
362this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
363might affect timers and time-outs.
364
365When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
366event loop's idea of "current time".
367
368Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
369
370=back
371
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 372=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 373
374 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
375
234You 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
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 377I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 378callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 379
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 380Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 381presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 382callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 383
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 385invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that 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,
245but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 387but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 388
247The 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
248between multiple watchers. 390between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
391interrupt your program at bad times.
249 392
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 393This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 394so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
395correctly.
252 396
253Example: exit on SIGINT 397Example: exit on SIGINT
254 398
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 399 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 400
401=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
402
403Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
404callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
405do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
406this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
407signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
408specified in C<$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
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 421=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 422
423 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
424
259You 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.
260 426
261The 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,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 428using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
263as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 429croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 430finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 431(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 432
433The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
434waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
435callback arguments.
436
437This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
438and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
439random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
440C<system>, is just fine).
267 441
268There 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
269I<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
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 444have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 445
272Not 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
273event 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
274loaded 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.
275 452
276This 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
277AnyEvent 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
278C<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.
279 461
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 462Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 463
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 464 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 465
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 466 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 467
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 468 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 469 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 470 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 471 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 472 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 473 $done->send;
292 }, 474 },
293 ); 475 );
294 476
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 477 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 478 $done->recv;
479
480=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
481
482 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
483
484Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
485to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
486"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
487attention by the event loop".
488
489Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
490better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
491events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
492
493Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
494EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
495will simply call the callback "from time to time".
496
497Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
498program is otherwise idle:
499
500 my @lines; # read data
501 my $idle_w;
502 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
503 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
504
505 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
506 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
507 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
508 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
509 print "handled when idle: $line";
510 } else {
511 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
512 undef $idle_w;
513 }
514 });
515 });
297 516
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 517=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
518
519 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
520
521 $cv->send (<list>);
522 my @res = $cv->recv;
299 523
300If 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
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 525require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 526will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 527
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 528AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 529loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 530
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 531The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 532because they represent a condition that must become true.
533
534Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 535
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 536Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 537>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<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
313becomes true. 539becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
540the results).
314 541
315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 542After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 543by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback). 544were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
545->send >> method).
318 546
319Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 547Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
320optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 548optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
321in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 549in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
322another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 550another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
323used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 551used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
324a result. 552a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
553compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
325 554
326Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 555Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
327for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 556for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
328then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 557then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
329availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 558availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
363 after => 1, 592 after => 1,
364 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 593 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
365 ); 594 );
366 595
367 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 596 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
368 # calls send 597 # calls -<send
369 $result_ready->recv; 598 $result_ready->recv;
370 599
371Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 600Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
372condition variables are also code references. 601variables are also callable directly.
373 602
374 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 603 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
375 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 604 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
376 $done->recv; 605 $done->recv;
606
607Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
608callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
609the main program:
610
611 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
612
613 ...
614
615 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
616
617And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
618results are available:
619
620 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
621 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
622 });
377 623
378=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 624=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
379 625
380These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 626These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
381code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 627code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
394immediately from within send. 640immediately from within send.
395 641
396Any 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
397future C<< ->recv >> calls. 643future C<< ->recv >> calls.
398 644
399Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as a 645Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
400code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling C<send>. 646they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
647C<send>.
401 648
402=item $cv->croak ($error) 649=item $cv->croak ($error)
403 650
404Similar 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
405C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 652C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
406 653
407This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 654This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
408user/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.
409 660
410=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 661=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
411 662
412=item $cv->end 663=item $cv->end
413
414These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
415 664
416These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 665These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
417one. 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
418to use a condition variable for the whole process. 667to use a condition variable for the whole process.
419 668
420Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 669Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
421C<< ->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
422>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 671>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
423is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 672condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
424callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 673>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
674be called without any arguments.
425 675
426Let's clarify this with the ping example: 676You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
677sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
678condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
679
680Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
681STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
682close before activating a condvar:
427 683
428 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 684 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
429 685
686 $cv->begin; # first watcher
687 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
688 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
689 or $cv->end;
690 });
691
692 $cv->begin; # second watcher
693 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
694 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
695 or $cv->end;
696 });
697
698 $cv->recv;
699
700This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
701one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
702sending.
703
704The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
705there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
706begung can potentially be zero:
707
708 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
709
430 my %result; 710 my %result;
431 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 711 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
432 712
433 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 713 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
434 $cv->begin; 714 $cv->begin;
435 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 715 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
436 $result{$host} = ...; 716 $result{$host} = ...;
451loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 731loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
452to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 732to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
453C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 733C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
454doesn't execute once). 734doesn't execute once).
455 735
456This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 736This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
457use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 737potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
458is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 738the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
459C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 739subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
740call C<end>.
460 741
461=back 742=back
462 743
463=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 744=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
464 745
480function will call C<croak>. 761function will call C<croak>.
481 762
482In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 763In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
483in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 764in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
484 765
766Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
767event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
768>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
769condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
770L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
771any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
772
485Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 773Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
486(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 774(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
487using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 775using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
488caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 776caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
489condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 777condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
490callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 778callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
491while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 779while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
492 780
493Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
494sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
495multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
496can supply.
497
498The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
499fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
500versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
501C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
502coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
503
504You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 781You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
505only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 782only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
506time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 783time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
507waits otherwise. 784waits otherwise.
508 785
509=item $bool = $cv->ready 786=item $bool = $cv->ready
510 787
511Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 788Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
512C<croak> have been called. 789C<croak> have been called.
513 790
514=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 791=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
515 792
516This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 793This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
517replaces it before doing so. 794replaces it before doing so.
518 795
519The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 796The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
520C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 797"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
798the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
521or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 799inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
522 800
523=back 801=back
524 802
525=head3 MAINLOOP EMULATION 803=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
526 804
527Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs 805The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
528who only want to use AnyEvent), you I<do> want your program to block
529indefinitely in some event loop.
530 806
531In that case, you cna use a condition variable like this: 807=over 4
532 808
533 AnyEvent->condvar->recv; 809=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
534 810
535This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever. 811EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
812use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
813pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
814AnyEvent itself.
536 815
537Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case 816 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
538it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition 817 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
539variable, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should exit
540cleanly.
541 818
819=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
820
821These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
822is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
823them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
824when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
825create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
826
827 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
828 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
829 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
830 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
831 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
832 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
833
834=item Backends with special needs.
835
836Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
837otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
838instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
839everything should just work.
840
841 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
842
843Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
844architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
845is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
846it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
847L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
848
849 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
850
851=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
852
853Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
854
855There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
856
857B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
858use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
859polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
860consider for AnyEvent.
861
862B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
863backend, so it can be supported through POE.
864
865AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
866load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
867in which case everything will be automatic.
868
869=back
542 870
543=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 871=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
544 872
873These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
874write AnyEvent extension modules.
875
545=over 4 876=over 4
546 877
547=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 878=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
548 879
549Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 880Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
881backend has been autodetected.
882
550contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 883Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
551Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 884name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
552C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 885of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
553AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 886case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
554 887will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
555The known classes so far are:
556
557 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
558 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
559 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
560 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
561 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
562 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
563 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
564 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
565
566There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
567watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
568POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
569second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
570AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
571it's adaptor.
572
573AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
574autodetecting them.
575 888
576=item AnyEvent::detect 889=item AnyEvent::detect
577 890
578Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 891Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
579if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 892if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
580have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 893have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
581runtime. 894runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
895
896If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
897created, use C<post_detect>.
582 898
583=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 899=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
584 900
585Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 901Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
586autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 902autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
587 903
904The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
905(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
906created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
907other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
908L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
909
910The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
911event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
912and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
913avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
914
588If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 915If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
589that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 916that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
917C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
590L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 918a case where this is useful.
919
920Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
921C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
922
923 our WATCHER;
924
925 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
926 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
927 };
928
929 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
930 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
931 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
932 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
933
934 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
591 935
592=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 936=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
593 937
594If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 938If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
595before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 939before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
596the event loop has been chosen. 940the event loop has been chosen.
597 941
598You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 942You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
599if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 943if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
600and the array will be ignored. 944array will be ignored.
601 945
602Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 946Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
947it,as it takes care of these details.
948
949This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
950when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
951not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
952into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
603 953
604=back 954=back
605 955
606=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 956=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
607 957
630 980
631If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 981If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
632do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 982do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
633decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 983decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
634 984
635If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 985If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
636Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 986Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
637event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 987event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
638speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 988speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
639modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 989modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
640decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 990decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
641might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 991might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
642 992
643You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 993You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
644loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 994C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
645behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 995everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
996
997=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
998
999Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
1000only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
1001
1002In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
1003
1004 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
1005
1006This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
1007
1008Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
1009it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
1010variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
1011exit cleanly.
1012
646 1013
647=head1 OTHER MODULES 1014=head1 OTHER MODULES
648 1015
649The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1016The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
650AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1017AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
651in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1018modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
652available via CPAN. 1019come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
653 1020
654=over 4 1021=over 4
655 1022
656=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1023=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
657 1024
658Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1025Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
659functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1026functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
660
661=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
662
663Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
664 1027
665=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1028=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
666 1029
667Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1030Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
668addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1031addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
669connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1032connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
670 1033
1034=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1035
1036Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1037supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1038non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1039
1040=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
1041
1042Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1043
1044=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1045
1046A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1047HTTP requests.
1048
671=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1049=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
672 1050
673Provides a simple web application server framework. 1051Provides a simple web application server framework.
674 1052
675=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
676
677Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
678
679=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1053=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
680 1054
681The fastest ping in the west. 1055The fastest ping in the west.
682 1056
1057=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1058
1059Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1060
1061=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1062
1063Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1064programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1065together.
1066
1067=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1068
1069Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1070L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1071
1072=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1073
1074A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1075
683=item L<Net::IRC3> 1076=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
684 1077
685AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1078AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
686 1079
687=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1080=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
688 1081
689AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1082AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1083Net::XMPP2>.
1084
1085=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1086
1087A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1088L<App::IGS>).
690 1089
691=item L<Net::FCP> 1090=item L<Net::FCP>
692 1091
693AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1092AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
694of AnyEvent. 1093of AnyEvent.
699 1098
700=item L<Coro> 1099=item L<Coro>
701 1100
702Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1101Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
703 1102
704=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
705
706Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
707programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
708together.
709
710=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
711
712Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
713IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
714
715=item L<IO::Lambda>
716
717The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
718
719=back 1103=back
720 1104
721=cut 1105=cut
722 1106
723package AnyEvent; 1107package AnyEvent;
724 1108
1109# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1110sub common_sense {
725no warnings; 1111 # no warnings
726use strict; 1112 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
1113 # use strict vars subs
1114 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1115}
727 1116
1117BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1118
728use Carp; 1119use Carp ();
729 1120
730our $VERSION = '4.03'; 1121our $VERSION = '5.1';
731our $MODEL; 1122our $MODEL;
732 1123
733our $AUTOLOAD; 1124our $AUTOLOAD;
734our @ISA; 1125our @ISA;
735 1126
736our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
737
738our @REGISTRY; 1127our @REGISTRY;
739 1128
740our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2) 1129our $WIN32;
1130
1131our $VERBOSE;
1132
1133BEGIN {
1134 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
1135 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
1136
1137 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1138 if ${^TAINT};
1139
1140 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1141
1142}
1143
1144our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1145
1146our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
741 1147
742{ 1148{
743 my $idx; 1149 my $idx;
744 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1150 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1151 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
745 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1152 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
746} 1153}
747 1154
748my @models = ( 1155my @models = (
749 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1156 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
1157 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1158 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1159 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1160 # and is usually faster
750 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1161 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1162 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1163 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1164 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
751 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1165 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1166 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1167 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
752 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1168 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
753 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1169 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
754 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1170 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
755 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1171 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
756 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1172 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
757 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1173 # obvious default class.
758 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1174 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
759 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1175 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1176 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1177 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
760); 1178);
761 1179
762our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1180our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1181 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
763 1182
764our @post_detect; 1183our @post_detect;
765 1184
766sub post_detect(&) { 1185sub post_detect(&) {
767 my ($cb) = @_; 1186 my ($cb) = @_;
768 1187
769 if ($MODEL) { 1188 if ($MODEL) {
770 $cb->(); 1189 $cb->();
771 1190
772 1 1191 undef
773 } else { 1192 } else {
774 push @post_detect, $cb; 1193 push @post_detect, $cb;
775 1194
776 defined wantarray 1195 defined wantarray
777 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1196 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
778 : () 1197 : ()
779 } 1198 }
780} 1199}
781 1200
782sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1201sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
783 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1202 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
784} 1203}
785 1204
786sub detect() { 1205sub detect() {
787 unless ($MODEL) { 1206 unless ($MODEL) {
788 no strict 'refs'; 1207 local $SIG{__DIE__};
789 1208
790 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1209 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
791 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1210 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
792 if (eval "require $model") { 1211 if (eval "require $model") {
793 $MODEL = $model; 1212 $MODEL = $model;
794 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1213 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
795 } else { 1214 } else {
796 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1215 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
797 } 1216 }
798 } 1217 }
799 1218
800 # check for already loaded models 1219 # check for already loaded models
801 unless ($MODEL) { 1220 unless ($MODEL) {
802 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1221 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
803 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1222 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
804 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1223 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
805 if (eval "require $model") { 1224 if (eval "require $model") {
806 $MODEL = $model; 1225 $MODEL = $model;
807 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1226 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
808 last; 1227 last;
809 } 1228 }
810 } 1229 }
811 } 1230 }
812 1231
813 unless ($MODEL) { 1232 unless ($MODEL) {
814 # try to load a model 1233 # try to autoload a model
815
816 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1234 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
817 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1235 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1236 if (
1237 $autoload
818 if (eval "require $package" 1238 and eval "require $package"
819 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1239 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
820 and eval "require $model") { 1240 and eval "require $model"
1241 ) {
821 $MODEL = $model; 1242 $MODEL = $model;
822 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1243 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
823 last; 1244 last;
824 } 1245 }
825 } 1246 }
826 1247
827 $MODEL 1248 $MODEL
828 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1249 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
829 } 1250 }
830 } 1251 }
831 1252
1253 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1254
832 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1255 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
833 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1256
1257 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
834 1258
835 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1259 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
836 } 1260 }
837 1261
838 $MODEL 1262 $MODEL
840 1264
841sub AUTOLOAD { 1265sub AUTOLOAD {
842 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1266 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
843 1267
844 $method{$func} 1268 $method{$func}
845 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1269 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
846 1270
847 detect unless $MODEL; 1271 detect unless $MODEL;
848 1272
849 my $class = shift; 1273 my $class = shift;
850 $class->$func (@_); 1274 $class->$func (@_);
851} 1275}
852 1276
1277# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1278# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1279# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1280sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1281 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1282
1283 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1284 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1285
1286 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1287 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1288
1289 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1290
1291 ($fh2, $rw)
1292}
1293
1294=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1295
1296Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1297simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1298overhead.
1299
1300See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1301
1302=cut
1303
1304package AE;
1305
1306our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1307
1308sub io($$$) {
1309 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1310}
1311
1312sub timer($$$) {
1313 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1314}
1315
1316sub signal($$) {
1317 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1318}
1319
1320sub child($$) {
1321 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1322}
1323
1324sub idle($) {
1325 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1326}
1327
1328sub cv(;&) {
1329 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1330}
1331
1332sub now() {
1333 AnyEvent->now
1334}
1335
1336sub now_update() {
1337 AnyEvent->now_update
1338}
1339
1340sub time() {
1341 AnyEvent->time
1342}
1343
853package AnyEvent::Base; 1344package AnyEvent::Base;
854 1345
1346# default implementations for many methods
1347
1348sub _time {
1349 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1350 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1351 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1352 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1353 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1354 } else {
1355 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1356 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1357 }
1358
1359 &_time
1360}
1361
1362sub time { _time }
1363sub now { _time }
1364sub now_update { }
1365
855# default implementation for ->condvar 1366# default implementation for ->condvar
856 1367
857sub condvar { 1368sub condvar {
858 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1369 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
859} 1370}
860 1371
861# default implementation for ->signal 1372# default implementation for ->signal
862 1373
863our %SIG_CB; 1374our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1375
1376sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1377 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1378 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.0 (); 1")
1379 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1380
1381 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1382}
1383
1384our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1385our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1386our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1387
1388sub _signal_exec {
1389 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1390 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1391 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1392
1393 while (%SIG_EV) {
1394 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1395 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1396 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1397 }
1398 }
1399}
1400
1401# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1402sub _sig_add() {
1403 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1404 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1405 my $NOW = AE::now;
1406
1407 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1408 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1409 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1410 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1411 ;
1412 }
1413}
1414
1415sub _sig_del {
1416 undef $SIG_TW
1417 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1418}
1419
1420our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1421 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1422 undef $_sig_name_init;
1423
1424 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1425 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1426 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1427 } else {
1428 require Config;
1429
1430 my %signame2num;
1431 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1432 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1433
1434 my @signum2name;
1435 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1436
1437 *sig2num = sub($) {
1438 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1439 };
1440 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1441 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1442 };
1443 }
1444 };
1445 die if $@;
1446};
1447
1448sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1449sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
864 1450
865sub signal { 1451sub signal {
1452 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1453 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1454 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1455 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1456
1457 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1458 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1459
1460 } else {
1461 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1462
1463 require Fcntl;
1464
1465 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1466 require AnyEvent::Util;
1467
1468 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1469 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1470 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1471 } else {
1472 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1473 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1474 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1475
1476 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1477 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1478 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1479 }
1480
1481 $SIGPIPE_R
1482 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1483
1484 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1485 }
1486
1487 *signal = sub {
866 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1488 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
867 1489
868 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1490 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
869 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1491 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
870 1492
1493 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1494 # async::interrupt
1495
1496 $signal = sig2num $signal;
871 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1497 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1498
1499 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1500 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1501 signal => $signal,
1502 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1503 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1504 ;
1505
1506 } else {
1507 # pure perl
1508
1509 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1510 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1511 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1512
872 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1513 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
873 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1514 local $!;
1515 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1516 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1517 };
1518
1519 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1520 # so limit the signal latency.
1521 _sig_add;
1522 }
1523
1524 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1525 };
1526
1527 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1528 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1529
1530 _sig_del;
1531
1532 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1533
1534 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1535 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1536 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1537 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1538 # instead of getting the default action.
1539 undef $SIG{$signal}
1540 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1541 };
874 }; 1542 };
875 1543 die if $@;
876 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1544 &signal
877}
878
879sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
880 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
881
882 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
883
884 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
885} 1545}
886 1546
887# default implementation for ->child 1547# default implementation for ->child
888 1548
889our %PID_CB; 1549our %PID_CB;
890our $CHLD_W; 1550our $CHLD_W;
891our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1551our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
892our $PID_IDLE;
893our $WNOHANG; 1552our $WNOHANG;
894 1553
895sub _child_wait { 1554sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
896 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1555 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1556
1557 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
897 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1558 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
898 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1559 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
899 }
900
901 undef $PID_IDLE;
902} 1560}
903 1561
904sub _sigchld { 1562sub _sigchld {
905 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1563 my $pid;
906 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1564
907 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1565 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
908 &_child_wait; 1566 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
909 });
910} 1567}
911 1568
912sub child { 1569sub child {
913 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1570 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
914 1571
915 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1572 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
916 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1573 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
917 1574
918 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1575 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
919 1576
920 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1577 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
921 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1578 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
922 } 1579 ? 1
1580 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
923 1581
924 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1582 unless ($CHLD_W) {
925 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1583 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
926 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1584 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
927 &_sigchld; 1585 &_sigchld;
928 } 1586 }
929 1587
930 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1588 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
931} 1589}
932 1590
933sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1591sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
934 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1592 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
935 1593
936 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1594 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
937 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1595 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
938 1596
939 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1597 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
940} 1598}
941 1599
1600# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1601# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1602# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1603sub idle {
1604 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1605
1606 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1607
1608 $rcb = sub {
1609 if ($cb) {
1610 $w = _time;
1611 &$cb;
1612 $w = _time - $w;
1613
1614 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1615 # within some limits
1616 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1617 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1618
1619 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1620 } else {
1621 # clean up...
1622 undef $w;
1623 undef $rcb;
1624 }
1625 };
1626
1627 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1628
1629 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1630}
1631
1632sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1633 undef $${$_[0]};
1634}
1635
942package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1636package AnyEvent::CondVar;
943 1637
944our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1638our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
945 1639
946package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1640package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
947 1641
948use overload 1642#use overload
949 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1643# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
950 fallback => 1; 1644# fallback => 1;
1645
1646# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1647${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1648*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1649*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1650${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1651
1652our $WAITING;
951 1653
952sub _send { 1654sub _send {
953 # nop 1655 # nop
954} 1656}
955 1657
968sub ready { 1670sub ready {
969 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1671 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
970} 1672}
971 1673
972sub _wait { 1674sub _wait {
1675 $WAITING
1676 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1677 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1678
1679 local $WAITING = 1;
973 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1680 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
974} 1681}
975 1682
976sub recv { 1683sub recv {
977 $_[0]->_wait; 1684 $_[0]->_wait;
979 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1686 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
980 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1687 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
981} 1688}
982 1689
983sub cb { 1690sub cb {
984 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1691 my $cv = shift;
1692
1693 @_
1694 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1695 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1696 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1697
985 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1698 $cv->{_ae_cb}
986} 1699}
987 1700
988sub begin { 1701sub begin {
989 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1702 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
990 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1703 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
996} 1709}
997 1710
998# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1711# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
999*broadcast = \&send; 1712*broadcast = \&send;
1000*wait = \&_wait; 1713*wait = \&_wait;
1714
1715=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1716
1717In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1718caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1719the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1720checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1721development.
1722
1723As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1724executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1725also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1726program.
1727
1728The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1729within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1730$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1731so on.
1732
1733=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1734
1735The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1736submodules.
1737
1738Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1739C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1740enabled.
1741
1742=over 4
1743
1744=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1745
1746By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1747conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1748talkative.
1749
1750When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1751conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1752C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1753
1754When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1755model it chooses.
1756
1757When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1758which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1759
1760=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1761
1762AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1763argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1764will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1765check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1766it will croak.
1767
1768In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1769
1770Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1771>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1772C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1773can be very useful, however.
1774
1775=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1776
1777This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1778auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1779entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1780and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1781used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1782auto detection and -probing.
1783
1784This functionality might change in future versions.
1785
1786For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1787could start your program like this:
1788
1789 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1790
1791=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1792
1793Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1794for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1795of auto probing).
1796
1797Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1798current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1799used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1800list.
1801
1802This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1803against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1804small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1805
1806Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1807but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1808- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1809addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1810IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1811
1812=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1813
1814Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1815for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1816some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1817default.
1818
1819Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1820EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1821
1822=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1823
1824The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1825will create in parallel.
1826
1827=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1828
1829The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1830resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1831sent to the DNS server.
1832
1833=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1834
1835The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1836configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1837default config will be used.
1838
1839=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1840
1841When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1842L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1843variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1844instead of a system-dependent default.
1845
1846=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1847
1848When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1849loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1850
1851=back
1001 1852
1002=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1853=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1003 1854
1004This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1855This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1005a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1856a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1039 1890
1040I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1891I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1041condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1892condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1042C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1893C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1043not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1894not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1044
1045=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1046
1047The following environment variables are used by this module:
1048
1049=over 4
1050
1051=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1052
1053By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1054conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1055talkative.
1056
1057When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1058conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1059C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1060
1061When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1062model it chooses.
1063
1064=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1065
1066This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1067auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1068entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1069and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1070used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1071auto detection and -probing.
1072
1073This functionality might change in future versions.
1074
1075For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1076could start your program like this:
1077
1078 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1079
1080=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1081
1082Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1083for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1084of auto probing).
1085
1086Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1087current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1088used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1089list.
1090
1091This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1092against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1093small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1094
1095Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1096but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1097- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1098addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1099IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1100
1101=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1102
1103Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1104for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1105some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1106default.
1107
1108Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1109EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1110
1111=back
1112 1895
1113=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1896=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1114 1897
1115The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1898The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1116to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1899to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1279through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2062through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1280timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2063timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1281which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2064which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1282 2065
1283Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2066Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1284distribution. 2067distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2068for the EV and Perl backends only.
1285 2069
1286=head3 Explanation of the columns 2070=head3 Explanation of the columns
1287 2071
1288I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2072I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1289different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2073different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1310watcher. 2094watcher.
1311 2095
1312=head3 Results 2096=head3 Results
1313 2097
1314 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2098 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1315 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2099 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1316 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2100 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1317 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2101 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1318 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2102 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1319 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2103 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1320 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2104 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2105 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2106 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1321 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2107 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1322 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2108 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1323 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2109 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1324 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2110 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1325 2111
1326=head3 Discussion 2112=head3 Discussion
1327 2113
1328The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2114The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1329well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2115well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1341benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2127benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1342EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2128EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1343cycles with POE. 2129cycles with POE.
1344 2130
1345C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2131C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1346maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2132maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2133overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2134slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1347far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2135any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1348natively.
1349 2136
1350The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2137The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1351constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2138constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1352interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2139interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1353adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2140adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1354performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2141performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1355them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2142them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1356 2143
1357The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2144The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1358cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2145cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2146
2147C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2148when using its pure perl backend.
1359 2149
1360C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2150C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1361faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2151faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1362C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2152C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1363watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2153watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1424In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2214In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1425(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2215(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1426connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2216connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1427 2217
1428Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2218Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1429distribution. 2219distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2220for the EV and Perl backends only.
1430 2221
1431=head3 Explanation of the columns 2222=head3 Explanation of the columns
1432 2223
1433I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2224I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1434each server has a read and write socket end). 2225each server has a read and write socket end).
1441it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2232it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1442a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2233a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1443 2234
1444=head3 Results 2235=head3 Results
1445 2236
1446 name sockets create request 2237 name sockets create request
1447 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2238 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1448 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2239 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1449 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2240 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1450 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2241 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2242 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2243 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1451 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2244 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1452 2245
1453=head3 Discussion 2246=head3 Discussion
1454 2247
1455This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2248This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1456particular event loop. 2249particular event loop.
1458EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2251EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1459is relatively high, though. 2252is relatively high, though.
1460 2253
1461Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2254Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1462loops Event and Glib. 2255loops Event and Glib.
2256
2257IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2258good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1463 2259
1464Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2260Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1465understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2261understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1466the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2262the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1467uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2263uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1530=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2326=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1531watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2327watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1532 2328
1533=back 2329=back
1534 2330
2331=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2332
2333Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2334could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2335simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2336shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2337fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2338very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2339baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2340
2341The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2342connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2343creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2344test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2345benchmark nevertheless.
2346
2347 name runtime
2348 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2349 + optimized 0.122 sec
2350 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2351 + optimized 0.138 sec
2352 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2353 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2354 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2355 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2356
2357 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2358 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2359 +state machine 0.134 sec
2360
2361The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2362benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2363defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2364written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2365AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2366resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2367generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2368connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2369
2370The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2371offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2372Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2373non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2374
2375As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2376hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2377backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2378
2379And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2380slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2381large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2382in a non-blocking way.
2383
2384The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2385F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2386part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2387
2388
2389=head1 SIGNALS
2390
2391AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2392
2393=over 4
2394
2395=item SIGCHLD
2396
2397A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2398emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2399event loops install a similar handler.
2400
2401Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2402AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2403
2404=item SIGPIPE
2405
2406A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2407when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2408
2409The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2410on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2411badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2412program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2413some random socket.
2414
2415The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2416that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2417
2418Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2419
2420=back
2421
2422=cut
2423
2424undef $SIG{CHLD}
2425 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2426
2427$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2428 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2429
2430=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2431
2432One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2433it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2434
2435That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2436modules if they are installed.
2437
2438This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2439affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2440
2441=over 4
2442
2443=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2444
2445This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2446my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2447signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2448delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2449catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2450C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2451
2452If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2453catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2454will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2455battery life on laptops).
2456
2457This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2458that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2459
2460Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2461and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2462(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2463does nothing for those backends.
2464
2465=item L<EV>
2466
2467This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2468event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2469loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2470the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2471automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2472can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2473C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2474L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2475
2476=item L<Guard>
2477
2478The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2479C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2480lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2481purely used for performance.
2482
2483=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2484
2485This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2486L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2487advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2488
2489In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2490installed.
2491
2492=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2493
2494Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2495worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2496the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2497
2498=item L<Time::HiRes>
2499
2500This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2501chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2502pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2503try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2504
2505=back
2506
1535 2507
1536=head1 FORK 2508=head1 FORK
1537 2509
1538Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2510Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1539because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2511because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1540calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2512calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1541 2513
1542If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2514If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1543watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2515watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2516something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1544 2517
1545 2518
1546=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2519=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1547 2520
1548AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2521AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1553specified in the variable. 2526specified in the variable.
1554 2527
1555You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2528You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1556before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2529before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1557 2530
1558 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2531 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1559 2532
1560 use AnyEvent; 2533 use AnyEvent;
1561 2534
1562Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2535Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1563be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2536be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1564probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2537probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2538$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2539
2540Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2541C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2542enabled.
2543
2544
2545=head1 BUGS
2546
2547Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2548to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2549and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2550memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2551pronounced).
1565 2552
1566 2553
1567=head1 SEE ALSO 2554=head1 SEE ALSO
1568 2555
1569Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2556Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1572L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2559L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1573 2560
1574Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2561Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1575L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2562L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1576L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2563L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1577L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2564L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1578 2565
1579Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2566Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1580servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2567servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1581 2568
1582Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2569Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1583 2570
1584Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2571Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2572L<Coro::Event>,
1585 2573
1586Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2574Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2575L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1587 2576
1588 2577
1589=head1 AUTHOR 2578=head1 AUTHOR
1590 2579
1591 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2580 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1592 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2581 http://home.schmorp.de/
1593 2582
1594=cut 2583=cut
1595 2584
15961 25851
1597 2586

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines