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1=head1 => NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, 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
368A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
369when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
370idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
371script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
372AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
373(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
374
375Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
376
377=back
378
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 379=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 380
381 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
382
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 383You 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 384I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 385callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 386
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 387Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 388presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 389callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 390
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 392invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 393that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 394but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 395
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 396The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 397between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
398interrupt your program at bad times.
249 399
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 400This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 401so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
402correctly.
252 403
253Example: exit on SIGINT 404Example: exit on SIGINT
254 405
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 406 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 407
408=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
409
410Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
411callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
412do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
413this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
414signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
415specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
416variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
417and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
418AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
419will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
420saving.
421
422All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
423L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
424work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
425(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
426one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
427
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 428=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 429
430 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
431
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 432You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 433
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 434The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 435using 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 436croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 437finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 438(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 439
440The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
441waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
442callback arguments.
443
444This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
445and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
446random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
447C<system>, is just fine).
267 448
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 449There 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 450I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 451have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 452
272Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 453Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
454see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
273event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 455that 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). 456the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
457pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
458start the watcher.
275 459
276This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 460This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 461thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 462watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
463C<AnyEvent::detect>).
464
465As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
466emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
467mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
279 468
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 469Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 470
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 471 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 472
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 473 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 474
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 475 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 476 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 477 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 478 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 479 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 480 $done->send;
292 }, 481 },
293 ); 482 );
294 483
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 484 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 485 $done->recv;
486
487=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
488
489 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
490
491Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
492to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
493"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
494attention by the event loop".
495
496Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
497better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
498events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
499
500Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
501EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
502will simply call the callback "from time to time".
503
504Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
505program is otherwise idle:
506
507 my @lines; # read data
508 my $idle_w;
509 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
510 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
511
512 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
513 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
514 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
515 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
516 print "handled when idle: $line";
517 } else {
518 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
519 undef $idle_w;
520 }
521 });
522 });
297 523
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 524=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
525
526 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
527
528 $cv->send (<list>);
529 my @res = $cv->recv;
299 530
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 531If 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 532require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 533will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 534
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 535AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 536loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 537
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 538The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 539because they represent a condition that must become true.
540
541Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 542
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 543Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 544>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 545C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 546becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
547the results).
314 548
315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 549After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 550by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 551were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
318->send >> method). 552->send >> method).
320Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 554Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
321optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 555optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
322in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 556in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
323another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 557another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
324used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 558used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
325a result. 559a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
560compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
326 561
327Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 562Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
328for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 563for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
329then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 564then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
330availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 565availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
364 after => 1, 599 after => 1,
365 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 600 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
366 ); 601 );
367 602
368 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 603 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
369 # calls send 604 # calls ->send
370 $result_ready->recv; 605 $result_ready->recv;
371 606
372Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 607Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
373condition variables are also code references. 608variables are also callable directly.
374 609
375 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 610 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
376 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 611 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
377 $done->recv; 612 $done->recv;
613
614Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
615callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
616the main program:
617
618 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
619
620 ...
621
622 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
623
624And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
625results are available:
626
627 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
628 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
629 });
378 630
379=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 631=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
380 632
381These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 633These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
382code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 634code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
395immediately from within send. 647immediately from within send.
396 648
397Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 649Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
398future C<< ->recv >> calls. 650future C<< ->recv >> calls.
399 651
400Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 652Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
401(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 653they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
402C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 654C<send>.
403overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
404instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
405support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
406invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
407example).
408 655
409=item $cv->croak ($error) 656=item $cv->croak ($error)
410 657
411Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 658Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
412C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 659C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
413 660
414This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 661This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
415user/consumer. 662user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
663delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
664diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
665deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
666the problem.
416 667
417=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 668=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
418 669
419=item $cv->end 670=item $cv->end
420
421These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
422 671
423These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 672These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
424one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 673one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
425to use a condition variable for the whole process. 674to use a condition variable for the whole process.
426 675
427Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 676Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
428C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 677C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
429>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 678>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
430is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 679condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
431callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 680>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
681be called without any arguments.
432 682
433Let's clarify this with the ping example: 683You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
684sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
685condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
686
687Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
688STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
689close before activating a condvar:
434 690
435 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 691 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
436 692
693 $cv->begin; # first watcher
694 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
695 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
696 or $cv->end;
697 });
698
699 $cv->begin; # second watcher
700 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
701 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
702 or $cv->end;
703 });
704
705 $cv->recv;
706
707This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
708one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
709sending.
710
711The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
712there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
713begung can potentially be zero:
714
715 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
716
437 my %result; 717 my %result;
438 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 718 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
439 719
440 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 720 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
441 $cv->begin; 721 $cv->begin;
442 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 722 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
443 $result{$host} = ...; 723 $result{$host} = ...;
458loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 738loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
459to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 739to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
460C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 740C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
461doesn't execute once). 741doesn't execute once).
462 742
463This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 743This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
464use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 744potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
465is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 745the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
466C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 746subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
747call C<end>.
467 748
468=back 749=back
469 750
470=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 751=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
471 752
487function will call C<croak>. 768function will call C<croak>.
488 769
489In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 770In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
490in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 771in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
491 772
773Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
774event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
775>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
776condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
777L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
778any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
779
492Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 780Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
493(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 781(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
494using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 782using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
495caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 783caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
496condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 784condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
497callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 785callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
498while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 786while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
499 787
500Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
501sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
502multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
503can supply.
504
505The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
506fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
507versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
508C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
509coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
510
511You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 788You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
512only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 789only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
513time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 790time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
514waits otherwise. 791waits otherwise.
515 792
516=item $bool = $cv->ready 793=item $bool = $cv->ready
517 794
518Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 795Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
519C<croak> have been called. 796C<croak> have been called.
520 797
521=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 798=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
522 799
523This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 800This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
524replaces it before doing so. 801replaces it before doing so.
525 802
526The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 803The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
527C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 804"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
805the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
528or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 806inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
529 807
530=back 808=back
531 809
810=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
811
812The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
813
814=over 4
815
816=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
817
818EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
819use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
820pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
821AnyEvent itself.
822
823 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
824 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
825
826=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
827
828These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
829is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
830them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
831when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
832create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
833
834 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
835 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
836 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
837 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
838 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
839 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
840
841=item Backends with special needs.
842
843Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
844otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
845instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
846everything should just work.
847
848 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
849
850Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
851architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
852is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
853it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
854L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
855
856 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
857
858=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
859
860Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
861
862There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
863
864B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
865use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
866polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
867consider for AnyEvent.
868
869B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
870backend, so it can be supported through POE.
871
872AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
873load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
874in which case everything will be automatic.
875
876=back
877
532=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 878=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
533 879
880These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
881write AnyEvent extension modules.
882
534=over 4 883=over 4
535 884
536=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 885=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
537 886
538Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 887Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
888backend has been autodetected.
889
539contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 890Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
540Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 891name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
541C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 892of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
542AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 893case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
543 894will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
544The known classes so far are:
545
546 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
547 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
548 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
549 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
550 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
551 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
552 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
553 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
554
555There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
556watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
557POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
558second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
559AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
560it's adaptor.
561
562AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
563autodetecting them.
564 895
565=item AnyEvent::detect 896=item AnyEvent::detect
566 897
567Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 898Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
568if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 899if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
569have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 900have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
570runtime. 901runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
902
903If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
904created, use C<post_detect>.
571 905
572=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 906=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
573 907
574Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 908Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
575autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 909autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
576 910
911The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
912(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
913created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
914other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
915L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
916
917The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
918event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
919and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
920avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
921
577If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 922If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
578that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 923that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
924C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
579L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 925a case where this is useful.
926
927Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
928C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
929
930 our WATCHER;
931
932 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
933 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
934 };
935
936 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
937 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
938 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
939 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
940
941 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
580 942
581=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 943=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
582 944
583If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 945If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
584before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 946before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
585the event loop has been chosen. 947the event loop has been chosen.
586 948
587You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 949You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
588if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 950if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
589and the array will be ignored. 951array will be ignored.
590 952
591Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 953Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
954it,as it takes care of these details.
955
956This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
957when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
958not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
959into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
592 960
593=back 961=back
594 962
595=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 963=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
596 964
651 1019
652 1020
653=head1 OTHER MODULES 1021=head1 OTHER MODULES
654 1022
655The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1023The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
656AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1024AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
657in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1025modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
658available via CPAN. 1026come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
659 1027
660=over 4 1028=over 4
661 1029
662=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1030=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
663 1031
664Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1032Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
665functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1033functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
666
667=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
668
669Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
670 1034
671=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1035=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
672 1036
673Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1037Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
674addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1038addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
675connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1039connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
676 1040
1041=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1042
1043Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1044supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1045non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1046
677=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1047=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
678 1048
679Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1049Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
680 1050
1051=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1052
1053A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1054HTTP requests.
1055
681=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1056=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
682 1057
683Provides a simple web application server framework. 1058Provides a simple web application server framework.
684 1059
685=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1060=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
686 1061
687The fastest ping in the west. 1062The fastest ping in the west.
688 1063
1064=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1065
1066Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1067
1068=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1069
1070Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1071programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1072together.
1073
1074=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1075
1076Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1077L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1078
1079=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1080
1081A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1082
689=item L<Net::IRC3> 1083=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
690 1084
691AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1085AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
692 1086
693=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1087=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
694 1088
695AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1089AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1090Net::XMPP2>.
1091
1092=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1093
1094A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1095L<App::IGS>).
696 1096
697=item L<Net::FCP> 1097=item L<Net::FCP>
698 1098
699AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1099AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
700of AnyEvent. 1100of AnyEvent.
705 1105
706=item L<Coro> 1106=item L<Coro>
707 1107
708Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1108Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
709 1109
710=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
711
712Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
713programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
714together.
715
716=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
717
718Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
719IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
720
721=item L<IO::Lambda>
722
723The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
724
725=back 1110=back
726 1111
727=cut 1112=cut
728 1113
729package AnyEvent; 1114package AnyEvent;
730 1115
731no warnings; 1116# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
732use strict; 1117sub common_sense {
1118 # from common:.sense 1.0
1119 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\xf3\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x03";
1120 # use strict vars subs
1121 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1122}
733 1123
1124BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1125
734use Carp; 1126use Carp ();
735 1127
736our $VERSION = '4.04'; 1128our $VERSION = '5.202';
737our $MODEL; 1129our $MODEL;
738 1130
739our $AUTOLOAD; 1131our $AUTOLOAD;
740our @ISA; 1132our @ISA;
741 1133
742our @REGISTRY; 1134our @REGISTRY;
743 1135
744our $WIN32; 1136our $WIN32;
745 1137
1138our $VERBOSE;
1139
746BEGIN { 1140BEGIN {
747 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1141 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
748 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1142 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
749}
750 1143
1144 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1145 if ${^TAINT};
1146
751our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1147 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1148
1149}
1150
1151our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
752 1152
753our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1153our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
754 1154
755{ 1155{
756 my $idx; 1156 my $idx;
757 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1157 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
758 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1158 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
759 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1159 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
760} 1160}
761 1161
762sub import {
763 shift;
764 return unless @_;
765
766 my $pkg = caller;
767
768 no strict 'refs';
769
770 for (@_) {
771 *{"$pkg\::WIN32"} = *WIN32 if $_ eq "WIN32";
772 }
773}
774
775my @models = ( 1162my @models = (
776 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1163 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
777 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
778 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1164 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
779 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1165 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
780 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1166 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
781 # and is usually faster 1167 # and is usually faster
1168 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1169 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1170 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1171 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
782 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1172 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
783 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
784 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
785 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1173 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
786 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1174 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
787 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1175 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
788 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1176 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1177 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1178 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1179 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1180 # obvious default class.
1181 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1182 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1183 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1184 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
789); 1185);
790 1186
791our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1187our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1188 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
792 1189
793our @post_detect; 1190our @post_detect;
794 1191
795sub post_detect(&) { 1192sub post_detect(&) {
796 my ($cb) = @_; 1193 my ($cb) = @_;
797 1194
798 if ($MODEL) { 1195 if ($MODEL) {
799 $cb->(); 1196 $cb->();
800 1197
801 1 1198 undef
802 } else { 1199 } else {
803 push @post_detect, $cb; 1200 push @post_detect, $cb;
804 1201
805 defined wantarray 1202 defined wantarray
806 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1203 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
807 : () 1204 : ()
808 } 1205 }
809} 1206}
810 1207
811sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1208sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
812 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1209 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
813} 1210}
814 1211
815sub detect() { 1212sub detect() {
816 unless ($MODEL) { 1213 unless ($MODEL) {
817 no strict 'refs';
818 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1214 local $SIG{__DIE__};
819 1215
820 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1216 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
821 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1217 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
822 if (eval "require $model") { 1218 if (eval "require $model") {
823 $MODEL = $model; 1219 $MODEL = $model;
824 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1220 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
825 } else { 1221 } else {
826 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1222 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
827 } 1223 }
828 } 1224 }
829 1225
830 # check for already loaded models 1226 # check for already loaded models
831 unless ($MODEL) { 1227 unless ($MODEL) {
832 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1228 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
833 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1229 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
834 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1230 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
835 if (eval "require $model") { 1231 if (eval "require $model") {
836 $MODEL = $model; 1232 $MODEL = $model;
837 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1233 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
838 last; 1234 last;
839 } 1235 }
840 } 1236 }
841 } 1237 }
842 1238
843 unless ($MODEL) { 1239 unless ($MODEL) {
844 # try to load a model 1240 # try to autoload a model
845
846 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1241 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
847 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1242 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1243 if (
1244 $autoload
848 if (eval "require $package" 1245 and eval "require $package"
849 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1246 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
850 and eval "require $model") { 1247 and eval "require $model"
1248 ) {
851 $MODEL = $model; 1249 $MODEL = $model;
852 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1250 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
853 last; 1251 last;
854 } 1252 }
855 } 1253 }
856 1254
857 $MODEL 1255 $MODEL
858 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1256 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
859 } 1257 }
860 } 1258 }
861 1259
1260 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1261
862 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1262 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
863 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1263
1264 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
864 1265
865 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1266 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
866 } 1267 }
867 1268
868 $MODEL 1269 $MODEL
870 1271
871sub AUTOLOAD { 1272sub AUTOLOAD {
872 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1273 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
873 1274
874 $method{$func} 1275 $method{$func}
875 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1276 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
876 1277
877 detect unless $MODEL; 1278 detect unless $MODEL;
878 1279
879 my $class = shift; 1280 my $class = shift;
880 $class->$func (@_); 1281 $class->$func (@_);
881} 1282}
882 1283
1284# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1285# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1286# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1287sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1288 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1289
1290 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1291 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1292
1293 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1294 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1295
1296 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1297
1298 ($fh2, $rw)
1299}
1300
1301=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1302
1303Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1304simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1305overhead.
1306
1307See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1308
1309=cut
1310
1311package AE;
1312
1313our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1314
1315sub io($$$) {
1316 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1317}
1318
1319sub timer($$$) {
1320 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1321}
1322
1323sub signal($$) {
1324 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1325}
1326
1327sub child($$) {
1328 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1329}
1330
1331sub idle($) {
1332 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1333}
1334
1335sub cv(;&) {
1336 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1337}
1338
1339sub now() {
1340 AnyEvent->now
1341}
1342
1343sub now_update() {
1344 AnyEvent->now_update
1345}
1346
1347sub time() {
1348 AnyEvent->time
1349}
1350
883package AnyEvent::Base; 1351package AnyEvent::Base;
884 1352
1353# default implementations for many methods
1354
1355sub _time() {
1356 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1357 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1358 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1359 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1360 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1361 } else {
1362 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1363 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1364 }
1365
1366 &_time
1367}
1368
1369sub time { _time }
1370sub now { _time }
1371sub now_update { }
1372
885# default implementation for ->condvar 1373# default implementation for ->condvar
886 1374
887sub condvar { 1375sub condvar {
888 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1376 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
889} 1377}
890 1378
891# default implementation for ->signal 1379# default implementation for ->signal
892 1380
893our %SIG_CB; 1381our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1382
1383sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1384 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1385 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1386 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1387
1388 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1389}
1390
1391our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1392our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1393our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1394
1395sub _signal_exec {
1396 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1397 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1398 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1399
1400 while (%SIG_EV) {
1401 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1402 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1403 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1404 }
1405 }
1406}
1407
1408# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1409sub _sig_add() {
1410 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1411 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1412 my $NOW = AE::now;
1413
1414 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1415 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1416 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1417 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1418 ;
1419 }
1420}
1421
1422sub _sig_del {
1423 undef $SIG_TW
1424 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1425}
1426
1427our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1428 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1429 undef $_sig_name_init;
1430
1431 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1432 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1433 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1434 } else {
1435 require Config;
1436
1437 my %signame2num;
1438 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1439 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1440
1441 my @signum2name;
1442 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1443
1444 *sig2num = sub($) {
1445 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1446 };
1447 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1448 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1449 };
1450 }
1451 };
1452 die if $@;
1453};
1454
1455sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1456sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
894 1457
895sub signal { 1458sub signal {
1459 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1460 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1461 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1462 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1463
1464 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1465 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1466
1467 } else {
1468 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1469
1470 require Fcntl;
1471
1472 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1473 require AnyEvent::Util;
1474
1475 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1476 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1477 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1478 } else {
1479 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1480 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1481 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1482
1483 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1484 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1485 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1486 }
1487
1488 $SIGPIPE_R
1489 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1490
1491 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1492 }
1493
1494 *signal = sub {
896 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1495 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
897 1496
898 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1497 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
899 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1498 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
900 1499
1500 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1501 # async::interrupt
1502
1503 $signal = sig2num $signal;
901 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1504 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1505
1506 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1507 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1508 signal => $signal,
1509 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1510 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1511 ;
1512
1513 } else {
1514 # pure perl
1515
1516 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1517 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1518 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1519
902 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1520 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
903 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1521 local $!;
1522 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1523 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1524 };
1525
1526 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1527 # so limit the signal latency.
1528 _sig_add;
1529 }
1530
1531 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1532 };
1533
1534 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1535 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1536
1537 _sig_del;
1538
1539 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1540
1541 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1542 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1543 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1544 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1545 # instead of getting the default action.
1546 undef $SIG{$signal}
1547 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1548 };
904 }; 1549 };
905 1550 die if $@;
906 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1551 &signal
907}
908
909sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
910 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
911
912 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
913
914 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
915} 1552}
916 1553
917# default implementation for ->child 1554# default implementation for ->child
918 1555
919our %PID_CB; 1556our %PID_CB;
920our $CHLD_W; 1557our $CHLD_W;
921our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1558our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
922our $PID_IDLE;
923our $WNOHANG; 1559our $WNOHANG;
924 1560
925sub _child_wait { 1561sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
926 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1562 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1563
1564 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
927 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1565 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
928 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1566 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
929 }
930
931 undef $PID_IDLE;
932} 1567}
933 1568
934sub _sigchld { 1569sub _sigchld {
935 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1570 my $pid;
936 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1571
937 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1572 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
938 &_child_wait; 1573 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
939 });
940} 1574}
941 1575
942sub child { 1576sub child {
943 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1577 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
944 1578
945 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1579 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
946 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1580 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
947 1581
948 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1582 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
949 1583
950 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1584 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1585 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1586 ? 1
951 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1587 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
952 }
953 1588
954 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1589 unless ($CHLD_W) {
955 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1590 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
956 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1591 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
957 &_sigchld; 1592 &_sigchld;
958 } 1593 }
959 1594
960 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1595 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
961} 1596}
962 1597
963sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1598sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
964 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1599 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
965 1600
966 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1601 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
967 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1602 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
968 1603
969 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1604 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
970} 1605}
971 1606
1607# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1608# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1609# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1610sub idle {
1611 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1612
1613 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1614
1615 $rcb = sub {
1616 if ($cb) {
1617 $w = _time;
1618 &$cb;
1619 $w = _time - $w;
1620
1621 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1622 # within some limits
1623 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1624 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1625
1626 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1627 } else {
1628 # clean up...
1629 undef $w;
1630 undef $rcb;
1631 }
1632 };
1633
1634 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1635
1636 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1637}
1638
1639sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1640 undef $${$_[0]};
1641}
1642
972package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1643package AnyEvent::CondVar;
973 1644
974our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1645our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
975 1646
976package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1647package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
977 1648
978use overload 1649#use overload
979 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1650# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
980 fallback => 1; 1651# fallback => 1;
1652
1653# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1654${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1655*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1656*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1657${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1658
1659our $WAITING;
981 1660
982sub _send { 1661sub _send {
983 # nop 1662 # nop
984} 1663}
985 1664
998sub ready { 1677sub ready {
999 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1678 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1000} 1679}
1001 1680
1002sub _wait { 1681sub _wait {
1682 $WAITING
1683 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1684 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1685
1686 local $WAITING = 1;
1003 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1687 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1004} 1688}
1005 1689
1006sub recv { 1690sub recv {
1007 $_[0]->_wait; 1691 $_[0]->_wait;
1009 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1693 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1010 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1694 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1011} 1695}
1012 1696
1013sub cb { 1697sub cb {
1014 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1698 my $cv = shift;
1699
1700 @_
1701 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1702 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1703 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1704
1015 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1705 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1016} 1706}
1017 1707
1018sub begin { 1708sub begin {
1019 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1709 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1020 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1710 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1026} 1716}
1027 1717
1028# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1718# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1029*broadcast = \&send; 1719*broadcast = \&send;
1030*wait = \&_wait; 1720*wait = \&_wait;
1721
1722=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1723
1724In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1725caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1726the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1727checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1728development.
1729
1730As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1731executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1732also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1733program.
1734
1735The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1736within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1737$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1738so on.
1739
1740=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1741
1742The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1743submodules.
1744
1745Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1746C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1747enabled.
1748
1749=over 4
1750
1751=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1752
1753By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1754conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1755talkative.
1756
1757When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1758conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1759C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1760
1761When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1762model it chooses.
1763
1764When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1765which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1766
1767=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1768
1769AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1770argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1771will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1772check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1773it will croak.
1774
1775In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1776
1777Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1778>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1779C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1780can be very useful, however.
1781
1782=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1783
1784This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1785auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1786entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1787and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1788used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1789auto detection and -probing.
1790
1791This functionality might change in future versions.
1792
1793For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1794could start your program like this:
1795
1796 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1797
1798=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1799
1800Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1801for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1802of auto probing).
1803
1804Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1805current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1806used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1807list.
1808
1809This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1810against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1811small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1812
1813Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1814but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1815- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1816addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1817IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1818
1819=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1820
1821Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1822for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1823some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1824default.
1825
1826Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1827EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1828
1829=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1830
1831The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1832will create in parallel.
1833
1834=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1835
1836The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1837resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1838sent to the DNS server.
1839
1840=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1841
1842The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1843configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1844default config will be used.
1845
1846=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1847
1848When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1849L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1850variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1851instead of a system-dependent default.
1852
1853=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1854
1855When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1856loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1857
1858=back
1031 1859
1032=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1860=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1033 1861
1034This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1862This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1035a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1863a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1069 1897
1070I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1898I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1071condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1899condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1072C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1900C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1073not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1901not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1074
1075=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1076
1077The following environment variables are used by this module:
1078
1079=over 4
1080
1081=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1082
1083By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1084conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1085talkative.
1086
1087When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1088conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1089C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1090
1091When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1092model it chooses.
1093
1094=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1095
1096This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1097auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1098entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1099and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1100used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1101auto detection and -probing.
1102
1103This functionality might change in future versions.
1104
1105For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1106could start your program like this:
1107
1108 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1109
1110=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1111
1112Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1113for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1114of auto probing).
1115
1116Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1117current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1118used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1119list.
1120
1121This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1122against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1123small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1124
1125Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1126but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1127- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1128addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1129IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1130
1131=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1132
1133Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1134for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1135some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1136default.
1137
1138Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1139EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1140
1141=back
1142 1902
1143=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1903=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1144 1904
1145The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1905The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1146to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1906to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1159 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1919 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1160 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1920 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1161 }, 1921 },
1162 ); 1922 );
1163 1923
1164 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1165
1166 sub new_timer {
1167 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1924 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1168 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1925 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1169 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1170 }); 1926 });
1171 }
1172
1173 new_timer; # create first timer
1174 1927
1175 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1928 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1176 1929
1177=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1930=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1178 1931
1309through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2062through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1310timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2063timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1311which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2064which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1312 2065
1313Source 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
1314distribution. 2067distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2068for the EV and Perl backends only.
1315 2069
1316=head3 Explanation of the columns 2070=head3 Explanation of the columns
1317 2071
1318I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2072I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1319different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2073different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1340watcher. 2094watcher.
1341 2095
1342=head3 Results 2096=head3 Results
1343 2097
1344 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2098 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1345 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
1346 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
1347 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
1348 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
1349 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
1350 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
1351 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
1352 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
1353 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
1354 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
1355 2111
1356=head3 Discussion 2112=head3 Discussion
1357 2113
1358The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2114The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1359well. 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)
1371benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2127benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1372EV, 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
1373cycles with POE. 2129cycles with POE.
1374 2130
1375C<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
1376maximal/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
1377far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2135any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1378natively.
1379 2136
1380The 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
1381constant 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
1382interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2139interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1383adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2140adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1384performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2141performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1385them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2142them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1386 2143
1387The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2144The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1388cost, 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.
1389 2149
1390C<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
1391faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2151faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1392C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2152C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1393watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2153watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1454In 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
1455(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
1456connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2216connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1457 2217
1458Source 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
1459distribution. 2219distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2220for the EV and Perl backends only.
1460 2221
1461=head3 Explanation of the columns 2222=head3 Explanation of the columns
1462 2223
1463I<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
1464each server has a read and write socket end). 2225each server has a read and write socket end).
1471it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2232it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1472a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2233a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1473 2234
1474=head3 Results 2235=head3 Results
1475 2236
1476 name sockets create request 2237 name sockets create request
1477 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2238 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1478 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2239 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1479 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2240 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1480 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
1481 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2244 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1482 2245
1483=head3 Discussion 2246=head3 Discussion
1484 2247
1485This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2248This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1486particular event loop. 2249particular event loop.
1488EV 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
1489is relatively high, though. 2252is relatively high, though.
1490 2253
1491Perl 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
1492loops 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.
1493 2259
1494Event 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
1495understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2261understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1496the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2262the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1497uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2263uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1560=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
1561watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2327watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1562 2328
1563=back 2329=back
1564 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
2381higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2382it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in 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
2485One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2486via L<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
1565 2507
1566=head1 FORK 2508=head1 FORK
1567 2509
1568Most 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
1569because 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>
1570calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2512calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1571 2513
1572If 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
1573watcher 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.
1574 2517
1575 2518
1576=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2519=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1577 2520
1578AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2521AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1583specified in the variable. 2526specified in the variable.
1584 2527
1585You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2528You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1586before 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:
1587 2530
1588 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2531 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1589 2532
1590 use AnyEvent; 2533 use AnyEvent;
1591 2534
1592Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2535Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1593be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2536be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1594probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2537probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2538$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).
1595 2552
1596 2553
1597=head1 SEE ALSO 2554=head1 SEE ALSO
1598 2555
1599Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2556Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1602L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2559L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1603 2560
1604Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2561Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1605L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2562L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1606L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2563L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1607L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2564L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1608 2565
1609Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2566Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1610servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2567servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1611 2568
1612Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2569Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1613 2570
1614Coroutine 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>,
1615 2573
1616Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2574Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2575L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1617 2576
1618 2577
1619=head1 AUTHOR 2578=head1 AUTHOR
1620 2579
1621 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2580 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1622 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2581 http://home.schmorp.de/
1623 2582
1624=cut 2583=cut
1625 2584
16261 25851
1627 2586

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