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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 });
22 39
23=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
24 41
25This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
26in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
27L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
28 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.
53
29=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
30 55
31Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
32nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
33 58
34Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
35policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
36 61
37First 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
38interfaces 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
39pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
40the 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,
41only 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
42helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
43 69
44The 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
45programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
46religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
47module 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
48model you use. 74model you use.
49 75
50For 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
51actually 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
52like 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
53cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
54isn'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
55I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
56 82
57AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
58fine. 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
59with 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
60your 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,
61too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
62event 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
63as 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
64event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
65 91
66In 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
67model>, 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
68modules, 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
69follow. 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
127These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
128creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
129callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
130is in control). 156is in control).
131 157
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
132To 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
133variable 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
134to it). 166to it).
135 167
136All 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.
138Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 170Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
139example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 171example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
140 172
141An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 173An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
142 174
143 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 175 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
144 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 176 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
145 undef $w; 177 undef $w;
146 }); 178 });
147 179
148Note 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,
149my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
150declared. 182declared.
151 183
152=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
153 185
186 $w = AnyEvent->io (
187 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
188 poll => <"r" or "w">,
189 cb => <callback>,
190 );
191
154You 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
155with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 193with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
156 194
157C<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
158for 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
159which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 203watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
204
160respectively. 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.
161becomes ready.
162 206
163Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 207Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
164presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 208presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
165callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 209callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
166 210
170 214
171Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 215Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
172always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 216always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
173handles. 217handles.
174 218
175Example:
176
177 # 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
178 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 222 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
179 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 223 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
180 warn "read: $input\n"; 224 warn "read: $input\n";
181 undef $w; 225 undef $w;
182 }); 226 });
183 227
184=head2 TIME WATCHERS 228=head2 TIME WATCHERS
185 229
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
186You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 238You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
187method with the following mandatory arguments: 239method with the following mandatory arguments:
188 240
189C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 241C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
190supported) 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
192 244
193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 245Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 246presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 247callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
196 248
197The 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
198timer 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
199and 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.
200 254
201Example: 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.
202 258
203 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 259Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
260
204 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 261 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
205 warn "timeout\n"; 262 warn "timeout\n";
206 }); 263 });
207 264
208 # to cancel the timer: 265 # to cancel the timer:
209 undef $w; 266 undef $w;
210 267
211Example 2:
212
213 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 268Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
214 my $w;
215 269
216 my $cb = sub {
217 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
218 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 270 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
271 warn "timeout\n";
219 }; 272 };
220
221 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
222 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
223 273
224=head3 TIMING ISSUES 274=head3 TIMING ISSUES
225 275
226There 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
227in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 277in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
300In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 350In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
301can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 351can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
302difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 352difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
303account. 353account.
304 354
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
305=back 377=back
306 378
307=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 379=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
308 380
381 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
382
309You 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
310I<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
311be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 385callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
312 386
313Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 387Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
314presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 388presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
315callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 389callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
316 390
318invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 392invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
319that 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,
320but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 394but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
321 395
322The 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
323between multiple watchers. 397between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
398interrupt your program at bad times.
324 399
325This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 400This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
326directly will likely not work correctly. 401so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
402correctly.
327 403
328Example: exit on SIGINT 404Example: exit on SIGINT
329 405
330 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 406 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
331 407
408=head3 Restart Behaviour
409
410While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
411not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
412pure perl implementation).
413
414=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
415
416Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
417"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
418latter might corrupt your memory.
419
420AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
421i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
422called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
423callbacks, too).
424
425=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
426
427Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
428callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
429do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
430this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
431signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
432specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
433variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
434and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
435AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
436will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
437saving.
438
439All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
440L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
441work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
442(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
443one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
444
332=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 445=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
333 446
447 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
448
334You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 449You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
335 450
336The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 451The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
337watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 452using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
338as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 453croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
339signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 454finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
340and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 455(stopped/continued).
341you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 456
457The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
458waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
459callback arguments.
460
461This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
462and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
463random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
464C<system>, is just fine).
342 465
343There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 466There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
344I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 467I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
345have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 468have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
346 469
347Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 470Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
471see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
348event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 472that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
349loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 473the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
474pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
475start the watcher.
350 476
351This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 477This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
352AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 478thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
353C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 479watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
480C<AnyEvent::detect>).
481
482As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
483emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
484mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
354 485
355Example: fork a process and wait for it 486Example: fork a process and wait for it
356 487
357 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 488 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
358 489
359 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 490 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
360 491
361 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 492 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
362 pid => $pid, 493 pid => $pid,
363 cb => sub { 494 cb => sub {
364 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 495 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
365 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 496 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
366 $done->send; 497 $done->send;
367 }, 498 },
368 ); 499 );
369 500
370 # do something else, then wait for process exit 501 # do something else, then wait for process exit
371 $done->recv; 502 $done->recv;
503
504=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
505
506 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
507
508Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
509to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
510"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
511attention by the event loop".
512
513Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
514better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
515events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
516
517Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
518EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
519will simply call the callback "from time to time".
520
521Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
522program is otherwise idle:
523
524 my @lines; # read data
525 my $idle_w;
526 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
527 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
528
529 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
530 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
531 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
532 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
533 print "handled when idle: $line";
534 } else {
535 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
536 undef $idle_w;
537 }
538 });
539 });
372 540
373=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 541=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
542
543 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
544
545 $cv->send (<list>);
546 my @res = $cv->recv;
374 547
375If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 548If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
376require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 549require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
377will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 550will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
378 551
379AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 552AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
380will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 553loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
381 554
382The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 555The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
383because they represent a condition that must become true. 556because they represent a condition that must become true.
557
558Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
384 559
385Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 560Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
386>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 561>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
387C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 562C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
388becomes true. 563becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
564the results).
389 565
390After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 566After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
391by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 567by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
392were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 568were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
393->send >> method). 569->send >> method).
395Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 571Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
396optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 572optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
397in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 573in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
398another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 574another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
399used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 575used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
400a result. 576a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
577compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
401 578
402Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 579Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
403for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 580for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
404then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 581then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
405availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 582availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
439 after => 1, 616 after => 1,
440 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 617 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
441 ); 618 );
442 619
443 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 620 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
444 # calls send 621 # calls ->send
445 $result_ready->recv; 622 $result_ready->recv;
446 623
447Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 624Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
448condition variables are also code references. 625variables are also callable directly.
449 626
450 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 627 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
451 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 628 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
452 $done->recv; 629 $done->recv;
630
631Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
632callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
633the main program:
634
635 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
636
637 ...
638
639 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
640
641And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
642results are available:
643
644 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
645 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
646 });
453 647
454=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 648=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
455 649
456These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 650These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
457code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 651code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
470immediately from within send. 664immediately from within send.
471 665
472Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 666Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
473future C<< ->recv >> calls. 667future C<< ->recv >> calls.
474 668
475Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 669Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
476(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 670they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
477C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 671C<send>.
478overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
479instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
480support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
481invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
482example).
483 672
484=item $cv->croak ($error) 673=item $cv->croak ($error)
485 674
486Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 675Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
487C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 676C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
488 677
489This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 678This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
490user/consumer. 679user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
680delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
681diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
682deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
683the problem.
491 684
492=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 685=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
493 686
494=item $cv->end 687=item $cv->end
495
496These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
497 688
498These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 689These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
499one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 690one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
500to use a condition variable for the whole process. 691to use a condition variable for the whole process.
501 692
502Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 693Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
503C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 694C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
504>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 695>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
505is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 696condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
506callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 697>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
698be called without any arguments.
507 699
508Let's clarify this with the ping example: 700You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
701sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
702condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
703
704Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
705STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
706close before activating a condvar:
509 707
510 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 708 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
511 709
710 $cv->begin; # first watcher
711 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
712 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
713 or $cv->end;
714 });
715
716 $cv->begin; # second watcher
717 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
718 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
719 or $cv->end;
720 });
721
722 $cv->recv;
723
724This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
725one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
726sending.
727
728The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
729there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
730begung can potentially be zero:
731
732 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
733
512 my %result; 734 my %result;
513 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 735 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
514 736
515 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 737 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
516 $cv->begin; 738 $cv->begin;
517 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 739 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
518 $result{$host} = ...; 740 $result{$host} = ...;
533loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 755loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
534to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 756to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
535C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 757C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
536doesn't execute once). 758doesn't execute once).
537 759
538This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 760This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
539use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 761potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
540is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 762the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
541C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 763subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
764call C<end>.
542 765
543=back 766=back
544 767
545=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 768=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
546 769
562function will call C<croak>. 785function will call C<croak>.
563 786
564In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 787In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
565in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 788in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
566 789
790Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
791event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
792>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
793condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
794L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
795any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
796
567Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 797Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
568(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 798(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
569using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 799using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
570caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 800caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
571condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 801condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
572callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 802callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
573while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 803while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
574 804
575Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
576sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
577multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
578can supply.
579
580The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
581fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
582versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
583C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
584coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
585
586You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 805You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
587only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 806only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
588time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 807time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
589waits otherwise. 808waits otherwise.
590 809
591=item $bool = $cv->ready 810=item $bool = $cv->ready
592 811
593Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 812Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
594C<croak> have been called. 813C<croak> have been called.
595 814
596=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 815=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
597 816
598This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 817This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
599replaces it before doing so. 818replaces it before doing so.
600 819
601The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 820The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
602C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 821"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
603variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 822the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
604is guaranteed not to block. 823inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
605 824
606=back 825=back
607 826
827=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
828
829The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
830
831=over 4
832
833=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
834
835EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
836use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
837pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
838AnyEvent itself.
839
840 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
841 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
842
843=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
844
845These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
846is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
847them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
848when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
849create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
850
851 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
852 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
853 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
854 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
855 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
856 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
857
858=item Backends with special needs.
859
860Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
861otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
862instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
863everything should just work.
864
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
866
867Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
868architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
869is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
870it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
871L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
872
873 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
874
875=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
876
877Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
878
879There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
880
881B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
882use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
883polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
884consider for AnyEvent.
885
886B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
887backend, so it can be supported through POE.
888
889AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
890load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
891in which case everything will be automatic.
892
893=back
894
608=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 895=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
609 896
897These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
898write AnyEvent extension modules.
899
610=over 4 900=over 4
611 901
612=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 902=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
613 903
614Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 904Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
905backend has been autodetected.
906
615contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 907Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
616Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 908name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
617C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 909of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
618AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 910case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
619 911will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
620The known classes so far are:
621
622 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
623 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
624 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
625 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
626 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
627 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
628 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
629 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
630
631There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
632watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
633POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
634second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
635AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
636it's adaptor.
637
638AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
639autodetecting them.
640 912
641=item AnyEvent::detect 913=item AnyEvent::detect
642 914
643Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 915Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
644if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 916if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
645have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 917have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
646runtime. 918runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
919
920If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
921created, use C<post_detect>.
647 922
648=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 923=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
649 924
650Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 925Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
651autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 926autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
652 927
928The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
929(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
930created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
931other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
932L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
933
934The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
935event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
936and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
937avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
938
653If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 939If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
654that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 940that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
941C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
655L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 942a case where this is useful.
943
944Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
945C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
946
947 our WATCHER;
948
949 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
950 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
951 };
952
953 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
954 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
955 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
956 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
957
958 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
656 959
657=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 960=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
658 961
659If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 962If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
660before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 963before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
661the event loop has been chosen. 964the event loop has been chosen.
662 965
663You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 966You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
664if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 967if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
665and the array will be ignored. 968array will be ignored.
666 969
667Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 970Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
971it, as it takes care of these details.
972
973This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
974when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
975not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
976into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
977
978Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
979together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
980Coro to accomplish this):
981
982 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
983 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
984 require Coro::AnyEvent;
985 } else {
986 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
987 # as soon as it is
988 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
989 }
668 990
669=back 991=back
670 992
671=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 993=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
672 994
727 1049
728 1050
729=head1 OTHER MODULES 1051=head1 OTHER MODULES
730 1052
731The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1053The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
732AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1054AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
733in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1055modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
734available via CPAN. 1056come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
735 1057
736=over 4 1058=over 4
737 1059
738=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1060=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
739 1061
740Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1062Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
741functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1063functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
742
743=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
744
745Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
746 1064
747=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1065=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
748 1066
749Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1067Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
750addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1068addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
751connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1069connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
752 1070
1071=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1072
1073Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1074supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1075non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1076
753=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1077=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
754 1078
755Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1079Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
756 1080
1081=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1082
1083A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1084HTTP requests.
1085
757=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1086=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
758 1087
759Provides a simple web application server framework. 1088Provides a simple web application server framework.
760 1089
761=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1090=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
762 1091
763The fastest ping in the west. 1092The fastest ping in the west.
764 1093
1094=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1095
1096Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1097
1098=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1099
1100Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1101programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1102together.
1103
1104=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1105
1106Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1107L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1108
1109=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1110
1111A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1112
765=item L<Net::IRC3> 1113=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
766 1114
767AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1115AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
768 1116
769=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1117=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
770 1118
771AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1119AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1120Net::XMPP2>.
1121
1122=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1123
1124A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1125L<App::IGS>).
772 1126
773=item L<Net::FCP> 1127=item L<Net::FCP>
774 1128
775AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1129AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
776of AnyEvent. 1130of AnyEvent.
781 1135
782=item L<Coro> 1136=item L<Coro>
783 1137
784Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1138Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
785 1139
786=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
787
788Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
789programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
790together.
791
792=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
793
794Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
795IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
796
797=item L<IO::Lambda>
798
799The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
800
801=back 1140=back
802 1141
803=cut 1142=cut
804 1143
805package AnyEvent; 1144package AnyEvent;
806 1145
807no warnings; 1146# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
808use strict; 1147sub common_sense {
1148 # from common:.sense 1.0
1149 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x00";
1150 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1151 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1152}
809 1153
1154BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1155
810use Carp; 1156use Carp ();
811 1157
812our $VERSION = 4.11; 1158our $VERSION = '5.23';
813our $MODEL; 1159our $MODEL;
814 1160
815our $AUTOLOAD; 1161our $AUTOLOAD;
816our @ISA; 1162our @ISA;
817 1163
818our @REGISTRY; 1164our @REGISTRY;
819 1165
820our $WIN32; 1166our $VERBOSE;
821 1167
822BEGIN { 1168BEGIN {
823 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1169 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
824 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1170 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
825}
826 1171
1172 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1173 if ${^TAINT};
1174
827our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1175 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1176
1177}
1178
1179our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
828 1180
829our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1181our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
830 1182
831{ 1183{
832 my $idx; 1184 my $idx;
834 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1186 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
835 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1187 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
836} 1188}
837 1189
838my @models = ( 1190my @models = (
839 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1191 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
840 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
841 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1192 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
842 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1193 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
843 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1194 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
844 # and is usually faster 1195 # and is usually faster
1196 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1197 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1198 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1199 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
845 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1200 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
846 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
847 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
848 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1201 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
849 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1202 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
850 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1203 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
851 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1204 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1205 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1206 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1207 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1208 # obvious default class.
1209 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1210 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1211 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1212 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
852); 1213);
853 1214
854our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1215our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1216 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
855 1217
856our @post_detect; 1218our @post_detect;
857 1219
858sub post_detect(&) { 1220sub post_detect(&) {
859 my ($cb) = @_; 1221 my ($cb) = @_;
860 1222
861 if ($MODEL) { 1223 if ($MODEL) {
862 $cb->(); 1224 $cb->();
863 1225
864 1 1226 undef
865 } else { 1227 } else {
866 push @post_detect, $cb; 1228 push @post_detect, $cb;
867 1229
868 defined wantarray 1230 defined wantarray
869 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1231 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
870 : () 1232 : ()
871 } 1233 }
872} 1234}
873 1235
874sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1236sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
875 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1237 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
876} 1238}
877 1239
878sub detect() { 1240sub detect() {
879 unless ($MODEL) { 1241 unless ($MODEL) {
880 no strict 'refs';
881 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1242 local $SIG{__DIE__};
882 1243
883 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1244 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
884 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1245 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
885 if (eval "require $model") { 1246 if (eval "require $model") {
886 $MODEL = $model; 1247 $MODEL = $model;
887 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1248 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
888 } else { 1249 } else {
889 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1250 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
890 } 1251 }
891 } 1252 }
892 1253
893 # check for already loaded models 1254 # check for already loaded models
894 unless ($MODEL) { 1255 unless ($MODEL) {
895 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1256 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
896 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1257 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
897 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1258 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
898 if (eval "require $model") { 1259 if (eval "require $model") {
899 $MODEL = $model; 1260 $MODEL = $model;
900 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1261 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
901 last; 1262 last;
902 } 1263 }
903 } 1264 }
904 } 1265 }
905 1266
906 unless ($MODEL) { 1267 unless ($MODEL) {
907 # try to load a model 1268 # try to autoload a model
908
909 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1269 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
910 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1270 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1271 if (
1272 $autoload
911 if (eval "require $package" 1273 and eval "require $package"
912 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1274 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
913 and eval "require $model") { 1275 and eval "require $model"
1276 ) {
914 $MODEL = $model; 1277 $MODEL = $model;
915 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1278 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
916 last; 1279 last;
917 } 1280 }
918 } 1281 }
919 1282
920 $MODEL 1283 $MODEL
921 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1284 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
922 } 1285 }
923 } 1286 }
924 1287
1288 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1289
925 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1290 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
926 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1291
1292 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
927 1293
928 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1294 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
929 } 1295 }
930 1296
931 $MODEL 1297 $MODEL
933 1299
934sub AUTOLOAD { 1300sub AUTOLOAD {
935 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1301 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
936 1302
937 $method{$func} 1303 $method{$func}
938 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1304 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
939 1305
940 detect unless $MODEL; 1306 detect unless $MODEL;
941 1307
942 my $class = shift; 1308 my $class = shift;
943 $class->$func (@_); 1309 $class->$func (@_);
944} 1310}
945 1311
1312# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1313# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1314# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1315sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1316 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1317
1318 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1319 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1320
1321 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1322 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1323
1324 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1325
1326 ($fh2, $rw)
1327}
1328
1329=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1330
1331Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1332simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1333overhead.
1334
1335See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1336
1337=cut
1338
1339package AE;
1340
1341our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1342
1343sub io($$$) {
1344 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1345}
1346
1347sub timer($$$) {
1348 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1349}
1350
1351sub signal($$) {
1352 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1353}
1354
1355sub child($$) {
1356 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1357}
1358
1359sub idle($) {
1360 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1361}
1362
1363sub cv(;&) {
1364 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1365}
1366
1367sub now() {
1368 AnyEvent->now
1369}
1370
1371sub now_update() {
1372 AnyEvent->now_update
1373}
1374
1375sub time() {
1376 AnyEvent->time
1377}
1378
946package AnyEvent::Base; 1379package AnyEvent::Base;
947 1380
948# default implementation for now and time 1381# default implementations for many methods
949 1382
950use Time::HiRes (); 1383sub _time() {
1384 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1385 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1386 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1387 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1388 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1389 } else {
1390 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1391 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1392 }
951 1393
952sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1394 &_time
953sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1395}
1396
1397sub time { _time }
1398sub now { _time }
1399sub now_update { }
954 1400
955# default implementation for ->condvar 1401# default implementation for ->condvar
956 1402
957sub condvar { 1403sub condvar {
958 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1404 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
959} 1405}
960 1406
961# default implementation for ->signal 1407# default implementation for ->signal
962 1408
963our %SIG_CB; 1409our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1410
1411sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1412 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1413 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1414 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1415
1416 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1417}
1418
1419our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1420our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1421our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1422
1423sub _signal_exec {
1424 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1425 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1426 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1427
1428 while (%SIG_EV) {
1429 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1430 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1431 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1432 }
1433 }
1434}
1435
1436# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1437sub _sig_add() {
1438 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1439 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1440 my $NOW = AE::now;
1441
1442 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1443 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1444 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1445 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1446 ;
1447 }
1448}
1449
1450sub _sig_del {
1451 undef $SIG_TW
1452 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1453}
1454
1455our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1456 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1457 undef $_sig_name_init;
1458
1459 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1460 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1461 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1462 } else {
1463 require Config;
1464
1465 my %signame2num;
1466 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1467 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1468
1469 my @signum2name;
1470 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1471
1472 *sig2num = sub($) {
1473 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1474 };
1475 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1476 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1477 };
1478 }
1479 };
1480 die if $@;
1481};
1482
1483sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1484sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
964 1485
965sub signal { 1486sub signal {
1487 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1488 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1489 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1490 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1491
1492 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1493 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1494
1495 } else {
1496 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1497
1498 require Fcntl;
1499
1500 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1501 require AnyEvent::Util;
1502
1503 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1504 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1505 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1506 } else {
1507 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1508 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1509 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1510
1511 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1512 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1513 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1514 }
1515
1516 $SIGPIPE_R
1517 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1518
1519 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1520 }
1521
1522 *signal = sub {
966 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1523 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
967 1524
968 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1525 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
969 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1526 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
970 1527
1528 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1529 # async::interrupt
1530
1531 $signal = sig2num $signal;
971 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1532 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1533
1534 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1535 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1536 signal => $signal,
1537 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1538 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1539 ;
1540
1541 } else {
1542 # pure perl
1543
1544 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1545 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1546 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1547
972 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1548 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
973 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1549 local $!;
1550 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1551 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1552 };
1553
1554 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1555 # so limit the signal latency.
1556 _sig_add;
1557 }
1558
1559 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1560 };
1561
1562 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1563 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1564
1565 _sig_del;
1566
1567 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1568
1569 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1570 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1571 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1572 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1573 # instead of getting the default action.
1574 undef $SIG{$signal}
1575 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1576 };
974 }; 1577 };
975 1578 die if $@;
976 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1579 &signal
977}
978
979sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
980 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
981
982 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
983
984 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
985} 1580}
986 1581
987# default implementation for ->child 1582# default implementation for ->child
988 1583
989our %PID_CB; 1584our %PID_CB;
990our $CHLD_W; 1585our $CHLD_W;
991our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1586our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
992our $PID_IDLE;
993our $WNOHANG; 1587our $WNOHANG;
994 1588
995sub _child_wait { 1589sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
996 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1590 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1591
1592 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
997 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1593 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
998 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1594 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
999 }
1000
1001 undef $PID_IDLE;
1002} 1595}
1003 1596
1004sub _sigchld { 1597sub _sigchld {
1005 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1598 my $pid;
1006 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1599
1007 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1600 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1008 &_child_wait; 1601 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1009 });
1010} 1602}
1011 1603
1012sub child { 1604sub child {
1013 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1605 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1014 1606
1015 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1607 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1016 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1608 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1017 1609
1018 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1610 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1019 1611
1020 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1612 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1613 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1614 ? 1
1021 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1615 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1022 }
1023 1616
1024 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1617 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1025 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1618 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1026 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1619 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1027 &_sigchld; 1620 &_sigchld;
1028 } 1621 }
1029 1622
1030 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1623 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1031} 1624}
1032 1625
1033sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1626sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1034 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1627 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1035 1628
1036 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1629 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1037 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1630 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1038 1631
1039 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1632 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1040} 1633}
1041 1634
1635# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1636# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1637# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1638sub idle {
1639 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1640
1641 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1642
1643 $rcb = sub {
1644 if ($cb) {
1645 $w = _time;
1646 &$cb;
1647 $w = _time - $w;
1648
1649 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1650 # within some limits
1651 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1652 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1653
1654 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1655 } else {
1656 # clean up...
1657 undef $w;
1658 undef $rcb;
1659 }
1660 };
1661
1662 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1663
1664 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1665}
1666
1667sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1668 undef $${$_[0]};
1669}
1670
1042package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1671package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1043 1672
1044our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1673our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1045 1674
1046package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1675package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1047 1676
1048use overload 1677#use overload
1049 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1678# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1050 fallback => 1; 1679# fallback => 1;
1680
1681# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1682${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1683*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1684*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1685${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1686
1687our $WAITING;
1051 1688
1052sub _send { 1689sub _send {
1053 # nop 1690 # nop
1054} 1691}
1055 1692
1068sub ready { 1705sub ready {
1069 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1706 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1070} 1707}
1071 1708
1072sub _wait { 1709sub _wait {
1710 $WAITING
1711 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1712 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1713
1714 local $WAITING = 1;
1073 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1715 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1074} 1716}
1075 1717
1076sub recv { 1718sub recv {
1077 $_[0]->_wait; 1719 $_[0]->_wait;
1079 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1721 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1080 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1722 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1081} 1723}
1082 1724
1083sub cb { 1725sub cb {
1084 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1726 my $cv = shift;
1727
1728 @_
1729 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1730 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1731 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1732
1085 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1733 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1086} 1734}
1087 1735
1088sub begin { 1736sub begin {
1089 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1737 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1090 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1738 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1096} 1744}
1097 1745
1098# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1746# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1099*broadcast = \&send; 1747*broadcast = \&send;
1100*wait = \&_wait; 1748*wait = \&_wait;
1749
1750=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1751
1752In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1753caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1754the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1755checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1756development.
1757
1758As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1759executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1760also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1761program.
1762
1763The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1764within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1765$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1766so on.
1767
1768=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1769
1770The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1771submodules.
1772
1773Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1774C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1775enabled.
1776
1777=over 4
1778
1779=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1780
1781By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1782conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1783talkative.
1784
1785When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1786conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1787C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1788
1789When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1790model it chooses.
1791
1792When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1793which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1794
1795=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1796
1797AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1798argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1799will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1800check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1801it will croak.
1802
1803In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1804
1805Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1806>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1807C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1808can be very useful, however.
1809
1810=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1811
1812This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1813auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1814entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1815and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1816used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1817auto detection and -probing.
1818
1819This functionality might change in future versions.
1820
1821For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1822could start your program like this:
1823
1824 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1825
1826=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1827
1828Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1829for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1830of auto probing).
1831
1832Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1833current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1834used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1835list.
1836
1837This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1838against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1839small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1840
1841Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1842but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1843- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1844addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1845IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1846
1847=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1848
1849Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1850for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1851some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1852default.
1853
1854Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1855EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1856
1857=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1858
1859The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1860will create in parallel.
1861
1862=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1863
1864The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1865resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1866sent to the DNS server.
1867
1868=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1869
1870The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1871configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1872default config will be used.
1873
1874=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1875
1876When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1877L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1878variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1879instead of a system-dependent default.
1880
1881=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1882
1883When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1884loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1885
1886=back
1101 1887
1102=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1888=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1103 1889
1104This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1890This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1105a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1891a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1139 1925
1140I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1926I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1141condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1927condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1142C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1928C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1143not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1929not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1144
1145=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1146
1147The following environment variables are used by this module:
1148
1149=over 4
1150
1151=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1152
1153By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1154conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1155talkative.
1156
1157When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1158conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1159C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1160
1161When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1162model it chooses.
1163
1164=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1165
1166This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1167auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1168entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1169and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1170used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1171auto detection and -probing.
1172
1173This functionality might change in future versions.
1174
1175For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1176could start your program like this:
1177
1178 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1179
1180=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1181
1182Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1183for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1184of auto probing).
1185
1186Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1187current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1188used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1189list.
1190
1191This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1192against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1193small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1194
1195Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1196but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1197- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1198addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1199IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1200
1201=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1202
1203Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1204for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1205some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1206default.
1207
1208Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1209EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1210
1211=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1212
1213The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1214will create in parallel.
1215
1216=back
1217 1930
1218=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1931=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1219 1932
1220The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1933The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1221to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1934to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1234 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1947 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1235 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1948 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1236 }, 1949 },
1237 ); 1950 );
1238 1951
1239 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1240
1241 sub new_timer {
1242 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1952 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1243 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1953 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1244 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1245 }); 1954 });
1246 }
1247
1248 new_timer; # create first timer
1249 1955
1250 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1956 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1251 1957
1252=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1958=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1253 1959
1384through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2090through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1385timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2091timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1386which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2092which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1387 2093
1388Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2094Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1389distribution. 2095distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2096for the EV and Perl backends only.
1390 2097
1391=head3 Explanation of the columns 2098=head3 Explanation of the columns
1392 2099
1393I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2100I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1394different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2101different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1415watcher. 2122watcher.
1416 2123
1417=head3 Results 2124=head3 Results
1418 2125
1419 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2126 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1420 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2127 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1421 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2128 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1422 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2129 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1423 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2130 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1424 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2131 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1425 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2132 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2133 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2134 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1426 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2135 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1427 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2136 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1428 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2137 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1429 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2138 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1430 2139
1431=head3 Discussion 2140=head3 Discussion
1432 2141
1433The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2142The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1434well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2143well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1446benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2155benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1447EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2156EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1448cycles with POE. 2157cycles with POE.
1449 2158
1450C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2159C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1451maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2160maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2161overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2162slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1452far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2163any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1453natively.
1454 2164
1455The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2165The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1456constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2166constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1457interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2167interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1458adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2168adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1459performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2169performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1460them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2170them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1461 2171
1462The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2172The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1463cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2173cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2174
2175C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2176when using its pure perl backend.
1464 2177
1465C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2178C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1466faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2179faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1467C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2180C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1468watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2181watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1529In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2242In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1530(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2243(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1531connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2244connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1532 2245
1533Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2246Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1534distribution. 2247distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2248for the EV and Perl backends only.
1535 2249
1536=head3 Explanation of the columns 2250=head3 Explanation of the columns
1537 2251
1538I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2252I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1539each server has a read and write socket end). 2253each server has a read and write socket end).
1546it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2260it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1547a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2261a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1548 2262
1549=head3 Results 2263=head3 Results
1550 2264
1551 name sockets create request 2265 name sockets create request
1552 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2266 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1553 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2267 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1554 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2268 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1555 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2269 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2270 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2271 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1556 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2272 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1557 2273
1558=head3 Discussion 2274=head3 Discussion
1559 2275
1560This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2276This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1561particular event loop. 2277particular event loop.
1563EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2279EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1564is relatively high, though. 2280is relatively high, though.
1565 2281
1566Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2282Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1567loops Event and Glib. 2283loops Event and Glib.
2284
2285IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2286good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1568 2287
1569Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2288Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1570understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2289understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1571the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2290the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1572uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2291uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1635=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2354=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1636watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2355watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1637 2356
1638=back 2357=back
1639 2358
2359=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2360
2361Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2362could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2363simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2364shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2365fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2366very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2367baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2368
2369The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2370connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2371creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2372test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2373benchmark nevertheless.
2374
2375 name runtime
2376 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2377 + optimized 0.122 sec
2378 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2379 + optimized 0.138 sec
2380 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2381 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2382 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2383 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2384
2385 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2386 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2387 +state machine 0.134 sec
2388
2389The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2390benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2391defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2392written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2393AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2394resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2395generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2396connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2397
2398The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2399offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2400Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2401non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2402
2403As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2404hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2405backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2406
2407And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2408slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2409higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2410it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2411
2412The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2413F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2414part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2415
2416
2417=head1 SIGNALS
2418
2419AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2420
2421=over 4
2422
2423=item SIGCHLD
2424
2425A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2426emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2427event loops install a similar handler.
2428
2429Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2430AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2431
2432=item SIGPIPE
2433
2434A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2435when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2436
2437The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2438on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2439badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2440program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2441some random socket.
2442
2443The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2444that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2445
2446Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2447
2448=back
2449
2450=cut
2451
2452undef $SIG{CHLD}
2453 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2454
2455$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2456 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2457
2458=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2459
2460One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2461it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2462
2463That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2464modules if they are installed.
2465
2466This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2467affect AnyEvent's operation.
2468
2469=over 4
2470
2471=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2472
2473This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2474my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2475signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2476delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2477catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2478C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2479
2480If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2481catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2482will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2483battery life on laptops).
2484
2485This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2486that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2487
2488Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2489and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2490(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2491does nothing for those backends.
2492
2493=item L<EV>
2494
2495This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2496event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2497loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2498the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2499automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2500can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2501C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2502L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2503
2504=item L<Guard>
2505
2506The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2507C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2508lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2509purely used for performance.
2510
2511=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2512
2513One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2514via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2515advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2516
2517In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2518installed.
2519
2520=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2521
2522Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2523worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2524the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2525
2526=item L<Time::HiRes>
2527
2528This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2529chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2530pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2531try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2532
2533=back
2534
1640 2535
1641=head1 FORK 2536=head1 FORK
1642 2537
1643Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2538Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1644because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2539because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1645calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2540- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2541are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2542one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2543continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2544what you are doing).
2545
2546This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2547the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2548usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2549is loaded).
1646 2550
1647If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2551If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1648watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2552watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2553something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2554
2555The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2556is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2557fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2558watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2559parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2560to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2561preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2562to have another binary.
1649 2563
1650 2564
1651=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2565=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1652 2566
1653AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2567AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1658specified in the variable. 2572specified in the variable.
1659 2573
1660You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2574You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1661before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2575before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1662 2576
1663 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2577 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1664 2578
1665 use AnyEvent; 2579 use AnyEvent;
1666 2580
1667Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2581Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1668be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2582be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1669probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2583probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2584$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2585
2586Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2587C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2588enabled.
2589
2590
2591=head1 BUGS
2592
2593Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2594to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2595and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2596memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2597pronounced).
1670 2598
1671 2599
1672=head1 SEE ALSO 2600=head1 SEE ALSO
1673 2601
1674Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2602Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1677L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2605L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1678 2606
1679Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2607Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1680L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2608L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1681L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2609L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1682L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2610L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1683 2611
1684Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2612Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1685servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2613servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1686 2614
1687Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2615Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1688 2616
1689Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2617Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2618L<Coro::Event>,
1690 2619
1691Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2620Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2621L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1692 2622
1693 2623
1694=head1 AUTHOR 2624=head1 AUTHOR
1695 2625
1696 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2626 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1697 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2627 http://home.schmorp.de/
1698 2628
1699=cut 2629=cut
1700 2630
17011 26311
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