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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 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
21
22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
24
25 # POSIX signal
26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
27
28 # child process exit
29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 31 ...
13 }); 32 });
14 33
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 36
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
41 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
42
43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
44
45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 58
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 60
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 63
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 64Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 65policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 66
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 67First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 68interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 69pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 70the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 71only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 72cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
73loops.
37 74
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 75The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 76programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 77religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 79model you use.
43 80
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 82actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 87
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 90with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 91uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
59 96
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enourmous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 102technically possible.
66 103
104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
106non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
107such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
108platform bugs and differences.
109
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 110Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 113
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 115
73L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
74allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
75users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
76peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
77 120
78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
79module. 122module.
80 123
81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
83following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
89found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
90very efficient, but should work everywhere.
91 132
92Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
93an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
94that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
95 136
97 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
98 139
99 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
100 141
101The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
104 146
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 149explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 150
109=head1 WATCHERS 151=head1 WATCHERS
110 152
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 153AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 154stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
113the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 155the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
114 156
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 157These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 158creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 160is in control).
119 161
162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
166widely between event loops.
167
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 170to it).
123 171
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
125 173
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 176
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 178
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
134 }); 182 });
135 183
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 184Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 186declared.
139 187
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 198
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
200for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
201handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
202non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
203most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
204or block devices.
205
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 206C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
147which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 207watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
208
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 209C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 210
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 211Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 212presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 213callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 214
155The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
156You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
157underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
158 218
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 221handles.
162 222
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
224watcher.
225
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 226 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 227 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 228 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
170 }); 230 });
171 231
172=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
173 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
174You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
175method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
176 244
177C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
178supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
180 248
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 252
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
188 258
189Example: 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
261only approximate.
190 262
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
264
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 266 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 267 });
195 268
196 # to cancel the timer: 269 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 270 undef $w;
198 271
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 272Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 273
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 274 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
275 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 276 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 277
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 278=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 279
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 280There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 281in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
217 283
218While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
219use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
220"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
221the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
222fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
223 289
224AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
225about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
226on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
227timers. 293timers.
228 294
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
231 297
298AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
299
300=over 4
301
302=item AnyEvent->time
303
304This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
305seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
306return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
307
308It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
309will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
310
311=item AnyEvent->now
312
313This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
314this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
315the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
316time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
317
318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
320
321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
324
325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
327
328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
330
331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
335after three seconds.
336
337With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
338both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
339be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
340
341With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
342time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
343last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
344to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
345
346In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
347regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
348callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
349higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
350
351In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
352the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
353
354In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
355can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
357account.
358
359=item AnyEvent->now_update
360
361Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
362the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
363AnyEvent->now >>, above).
364
365When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
366this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
367might affect timers and time-outs.
368
369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
370event loop's idea of "current time".
371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
380
381=back
382
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
386
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 390
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 391Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 392presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 393callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 394
242Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 395Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 399
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
249 403
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
252 407
253Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
254 409
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 454
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
263as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 459(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 460
461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
463callback arguments.
464
465This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
466and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
467random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
468C<system>, is just fine).
267 469
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 470There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
269I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 471I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 472have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 473
272Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 474Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
475see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
273event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 476that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
274loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 477the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
478pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
479start the watcher.
275 480
276This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
488mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
279 489
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 491
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 493
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 494 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 495
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 496 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 497 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 498 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 499 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 500 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 501 $done->send;
292 }, 502 },
293 ); 503 );
294 504
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
507
508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
509
510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
511
512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
514
515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
527
528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
529program is otherwise idle:
530
531 my @lines; # read data
532 my $idle_w;
533 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
534 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
535
536 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
537 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
538 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
539 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
540 print "handled when idle: $line";
541 } else {
542 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
543 undef $idle_w;
544 }
545 });
546 });
297 547
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
299 554
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 558
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 561
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 566
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
571the results).
314 572
315After creation, the conditon variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method. 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
576->send >> method).
317 577
318Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
319optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
320in time where multiple outstandign events have been processed. And yet 580
321another way to call them is transations - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
322used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
323a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
324 601
325Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
326for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
327then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
328availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
332you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you 609you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
333could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit 610could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
334button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event. 611button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
335 612
336Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 613Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
337two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 614two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
338lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 615lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
339you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 616you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
340as this asks for trouble. 617as this asks for trouble.
341 618
342Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
343used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
344easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
345AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
346it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
347 624
348There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
349eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
350for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
351 628
352Example: 629Example: wait for a timer.
353 630
354 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
355 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
356 633
357 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
358 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
359 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
360 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
361 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
362 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
363 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
364 ); 641 );
365 642
366 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
367 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
368 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
646
647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
648variables are also callable directly.
649
650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
652 $done->recv;
653
654Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
655callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
656the main program:
657
658 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
659
660 ...
661
662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
663
664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
665results are available:
666
667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
669 });
369 670
370=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 671=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
371 672
372These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 673These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
373code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 674code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
386immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
387 688
388Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
389future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
390 691
692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
694C<send>.
695
391=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
392 697
393Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
394C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
395 700
396This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
397user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
398 707
399=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
400 709
401=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
402
403These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
404 711
405These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
406one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
407to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
408 715
409Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
410C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
411>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
412is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
413callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
414 722
415Let's clarify this with the ping example: 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
726
727Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
728STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
729close before activating a condvar:
416 730
417 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
418 732
733 $cv->begin; # first watcher
734 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
735 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
736 or $cv->end;
737 });
738
739 $cv->begin; # second watcher
740 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
741 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
742 or $cv->end;
743 });
744
745 $cv->recv;
746
747This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
749sending.
750
751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
753begun can potentially be zero:
754
755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
756
419 my %result; 757 my %result;
420 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
421 759
422 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
423 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
424 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
425 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
440loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
441to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
442C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
443doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
444 782
445This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
446use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
447is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
448C<begin> and for eahc subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
787call C<end>.
449 788
450=back 789=back
451 790
452=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
453 792
457=over 4 796=over 4
458 797
459=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
460 799
461Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
462>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
463normally. 802normally.
464 803
465You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
466will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
467 806
469function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
470 809
471In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
472in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
473 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
474Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
475(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
476using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
477caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
478condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
479callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
480while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
481 827
482Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
483sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
484multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
485can supply.
486
487The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
488fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
489versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
490C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
491coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
492
493You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
494only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
495time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
496waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
497 832
498=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
499 834
500Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 835Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
501C<croak> have been called. 836C<croak> have been called.
502 837
503=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 838=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
504 839
505This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
506replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
507 842
508The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
509C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
510or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
511 848
512=back 849=back
513 850
851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
852
853The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
854
855=over 4
856
857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
858
859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
862AnyEvent itself.
863
864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
866
867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
868
869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
882 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop.
883
884=item Backends with special needs.
885
886Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
887otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
888instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
889everything should just work.
890
891 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
892
893=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
894
895Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
896
897There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
898
899B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
900use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
901polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
902consider for AnyEvent.
903
904B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
905backend, so it can be supported through POE.
906
907AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
908load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
909in which case everything will be automatic.
910
911=back
912
514=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 913=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
515 914
915These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
916write AnyEvent extension modules.
917
516=over 4 918=over 4
517 919
518=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 920=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
519 921
520Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 922Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
923backend has been autodetected.
924
521contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 925Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
522Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 926name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
523C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 927of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
524AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 928case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
525 929will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
526The known classes so far are:
527
528 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
529 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
530 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
531 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
532 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
533 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
534 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
535 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
536
537There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
538watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
539POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
540second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
541AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
542it's adaptor.
543
544AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
545autodetecting them.
546 930
547=item AnyEvent::detect 931=item AnyEvent::detect
548 932
549Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 933Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
550if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 934if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
551have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 935have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
552runtime. 936runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
937
938If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
939created, use C<post_detect>.
553 940
554=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 941=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
555 942
556Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 943Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
557autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 944autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
945
946The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
947(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
948created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
949other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
950L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
951
952The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
953event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
954and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
955avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
558 956
559If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 957If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
560that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 958that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
959C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
561L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 960a case where this is useful.
961
962Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
963C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
964
965 our WATCHER;
966
967 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
968 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
969 };
970
971 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
972 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
973 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
974 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
975
976 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
562 977
563=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 978=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
564 979
565If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 980If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
566before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 981before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
567the event loop has been chosen. 982after the event loop has been chosen.
568 983
569You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 984You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
570if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 985if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
571and the array will be ignored. 986array will be ignored.
572 987
573Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 988Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
989it, as it takes care of these details.
990
991This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
992when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
993not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
994into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
995
996Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
997together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
998Coro to accomplish this):
999
1000 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1001 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1002 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1003 } else {
1004 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1005 # as soon as it is
1006 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1007 }
574 1008
575=back 1009=back
576 1010
577=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1011=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
578 1012
589because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1023because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
590events is to stay interactive. 1024events is to stay interactive.
591 1025
592It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1026It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
593requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1027requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
594called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1028called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
595freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1029freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
596 1030
597=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1031=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
598 1032
599There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1033There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
600dictate which event model to use. 1034dictate which event model to use.
601 1035
602If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1036If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
603do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1037when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
604decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1038uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1039to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1040available loop implementation.
605 1041
606If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 1042If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
607Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 1043Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
608event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1044event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
609speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1045speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
610modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1046modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
611decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1047decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
612might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1048might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
613 1049
614You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 1050You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
615loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 1051C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
616behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 1052everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
1053
1054=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
1055
1056Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
1057only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
1058
1059In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
1060
1061 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
1062
1063This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
1064
1065Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
1066it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
1067variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
1068exit cleanly.
1069
617 1070
618=head1 OTHER MODULES 1071=head1 OTHER MODULES
619 1072
620The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1073The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
621AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1074AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
622in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1075modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
623available via CPAN. 1076come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
624 1077
625=over 4 1078=over 4
626 1079
627=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1080=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
628 1081
629Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1082Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
630functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1083functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
1084
1085=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
1086
1087Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
1088addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
1089connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
631 1090
632=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1091=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
633 1092
634Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes. 1093Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1094supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1095non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
1096
1097=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
1098
1099Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1100
1101=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1102
1103Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1104the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1105Client Protocol).
1106
1107=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1108
1109Here be danger!
1110
1111As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1112there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1113its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1114the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1115
1116It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1117confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1118fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1119with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1120packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1121support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1122wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1123
1124=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1125
1126Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1127notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1128
1129=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1130
1131Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1132toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1133L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1134file I/O, and much more.
635 1135
636=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1136=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
637 1137
638Provides a simple web application server framework. 1138A simple embedded webserver.
639
640=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
641
642Provides asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities, beyond what
643L<AnyEvent::Util> offers.
644 1139
645=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1140=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
646 1141
647The fastest ping in the west. 1142The fastest ping in the west.
648 1143
649=item L<Net::IRC3>
650
651AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
652
653=item L<Net::XMPP2>
654
655AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
656
657=item L<Net::FCP>
658
659AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
660of AnyEvent.
661
662=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
663
664High level API for event-based execution flow control.
665
666=item L<Coro> 1144=item L<Coro>
667 1145
668Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1146Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
669 1147
670=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
671
672Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
673programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
674together.
675
676=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
677
678Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
679IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
680
681=item L<IO::Lambda>
682
683The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
684
685=back 1148=back
686 1149
687=cut 1150=cut
688 1151
689package AnyEvent; 1152package AnyEvent;
690 1153
691no warnings; 1154# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
692use strict; 1155sub common_sense {
1156 # from common:.sense 3.3
1157 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1158 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1159 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1160}
693 1161
1162BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1163
694use Carp; 1164use Carp ();
695 1165
696our $VERSION = '3.6'; 1166our $VERSION = '5.3';
697our $MODEL; 1167our $MODEL;
698 1168
699our $AUTOLOAD; 1169our $AUTOLOAD;
700our @ISA; 1170our @ISA;
701 1171
702our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
703
704our @REGISTRY; 1172our @REGISTRY;
705 1173
1174our $VERBOSE;
1175
1176BEGIN {
1177 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1178
1179 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1180
1181 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1182 if ${^TAINT};
1183
1184 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1185
1186}
1187
1188our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1189
1190our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1191
1192{
1193 my $idx;
1194 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1195 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1196 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1197}
1198
706my @models = ( 1199my @models = (
707 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1200 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
1201 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1202 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1203 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1204 # and is usually faster
708 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1205 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1206 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1207 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1208 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
709 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1209 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1210 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1211 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
710 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1212 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
711 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1213 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
712 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1214 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::],
713 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1215 [Cocoa::EventLoop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa::],
714 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
715 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
716 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
717 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
718); 1216);
719 1217
720our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1218our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1219 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
721 1220
722our @post_detect; 1221our @post_detect;
723 1222
724sub post_detect(&) { 1223sub post_detect(&) {
725 my ($cb) = @_; 1224 my ($cb) = @_;
726 1225
727 if ($MODEL) {
728 $cb->();
729
730 1
731 } else {
732 push @post_detect, $cb; 1226 push @post_detect, $cb;
733 1227
734 defined wantarray 1228 defined wantarray
735 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1229 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
736 : () 1230 : ()
1231}
1232
1233sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1234 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1235}
1236
1237sub detect() {
1238 # free some memory
1239 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1240
1241 local $!; # for good measure
1242 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1243
1244 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1245 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1246 if (eval "require $model") {
1247 $MODEL = $model;
1248 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1249 } else {
1250 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1251 }
737 } 1252 }
738}
739 1253
740sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1254 # check for already loaded models
741 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
742}
743
744sub detect() {
745 unless ($MODEL) { 1255 unless ($MODEL) {
746 no strict 'refs'; 1256 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
747 1257 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
748 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1258 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
749 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
750 if (eval "require $model") { 1259 if (eval "require $model") {
751 $MODEL = $model; 1260 $MODEL = $model;
752 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1261 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
753 } else { 1262 last;
754 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1263 }
755 } 1264 }
756 } 1265 }
757 1266
758 # check for already loaded models
759 unless ($MODEL) { 1267 unless ($MODEL) {
1268 # try to autoload a model
760 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1269 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
761 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1270 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1271 if (
1272 $autoload
1273 and eval "require $package"
762 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1274 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
763 if (eval "require $model") { 1275 and eval "require $model"
1276 ) {
764 $MODEL = $model; 1277 $MODEL = $model;
765 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1278 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
766 last; 1279 last;
767 }
768 } 1280 }
769 } 1281 }
770 1282
771 unless ($MODEL) {
772 # try to load a model
773
774 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
775 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
776 if (eval "require $package"
777 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
778 and eval "require $model") {
779 $MODEL = $model;
780 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
781 last;
782 }
783 }
784
785 $MODEL 1283 $MODEL
786 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1284 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?\n";
787 }
788 } 1285 }
789
790 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
791 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
792
793 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
794 } 1286 }
1287
1288 @models = (); # free probe data
1289
1290 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1291 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1292
1293 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1294 # SUPER is not allowed.
1295 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1296 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1297 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1298 }
1299
1300 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1301 eval { require AnyEvent::Strict };
1302 warn "AnyEvent: cannot load AnyEvent::Strict: $@"
1303 if $@ && $VERBOSE;
1304 }
1305
1306 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1307
1308 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1309 shift->();
1310
1311 undef
1312 };
795 1313
796 $MODEL 1314 $MODEL
797} 1315}
798 1316
799sub AUTOLOAD { 1317sub AUTOLOAD {
800 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1318 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
801 1319
802 $method{$func} 1320 $method{$func}
803 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1321 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
804 1322
805 detect unless $MODEL; 1323 detect;
806 1324
807 my $class = shift; 1325 my $class = shift;
808 $class->$func (@_); 1326 $class->$func (@_);
809} 1327}
810 1328
1329# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1330# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1331# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1332sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1333 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1334
1335 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1336 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1337
1338 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1339 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1340
1341 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1342
1343 ($fh2, $rw)
1344}
1345
1346=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1347
1348Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1349simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1350overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1351
1352See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1353
1354=cut
1355
1356package AE;
1357
1358our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1359
1360# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1361# implementations can overwrite these.
1362
1363sub io($$$) {
1364 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1365}
1366
1367sub timer($$$) {
1368 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1369}
1370
1371sub signal($$) {
1372 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1373}
1374
1375sub child($$) {
1376 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1377}
1378
1379sub idle($) {
1380 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1381}
1382
1383sub cv(;&) {
1384 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1385}
1386
1387sub now() {
1388 AnyEvent->now
1389}
1390
1391sub now_update() {
1392 AnyEvent->now_update
1393}
1394
1395sub time() {
1396 AnyEvent->time
1397}
1398
811package AnyEvent::Base; 1399package AnyEvent::Base;
812 1400
1401# default implementations for many methods
1402
1403sub time {
1404 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1405 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1406 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1407 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1408 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1409 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1410 } else {
1411 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1412 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1413 }
1414
1415 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1416 };
1417 die if $@;
1418
1419 &time
1420}
1421
1422*now = \&time;
1423
1424sub now_update { }
1425
813# default implementation for ->condvar 1426# default implementation for ->condvar
814 1427
815sub condvar { 1428sub condvar {
816 bless {}, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1429 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1430 *condvar = sub {
1431 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1432 };
1433
1434 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1435 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1436 };
1437 };
1438 die if $@;
1439
1440 &condvar
817} 1441}
818 1442
819# default implementation for ->signal 1443# default implementation for ->signal
820 1444
821our %SIG_CB; 1445our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1446
1447sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1448 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1449 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1450 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1451
1452 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1453}
1454
1455our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1456our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1457our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1458
1459# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1460# used by Impls
1461sub _sig_add() {
1462 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1463 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1464 my $NOW = AE::now;
1465
1466 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1467 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1468 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1469 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1470 ;
1471 }
1472}
1473
1474sub _sig_del {
1475 undef $SIG_TW
1476 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1477}
1478
1479our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1480 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1481 undef $_sig_name_init;
1482
1483 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1484 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1485 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1486 } else {
1487 require Config;
1488
1489 my %signame2num;
1490 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1491 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1492
1493 my @signum2name;
1494 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1495
1496 *sig2num = sub($) {
1497 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1498 };
1499 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1500 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1501 };
1502 }
1503 };
1504 die if $@;
1505};
1506
1507sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1508sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
822 1509
823sub signal { 1510sub signal {
1511 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1512 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1513 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1514 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1515
1516 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1517 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1518
1519 } else {
1520 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1521
1522 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1523 require AnyEvent::Util;
1524
1525 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1526 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1527 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1528 } else {
1529 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1530 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1531 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1532
1533 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1534 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1535 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1536 }
1537
1538 $SIGPIPE_R
1539 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1540
1541 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1542 }
1543
1544 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1545 ? sub {
824 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1546 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
825 1547
1548 # async::interrupt
826 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1549 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
827 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
828
829 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1550 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1551
1552 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1553 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1554 signal => $signal,
1555 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1556 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1557 ;
1558
1559 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1560 }
1561 : sub {
1562 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1563
1564 # pure perl
1565 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1566 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1567
830 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1568 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1569 local $!;
1570 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1571 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1572 };
1573
1574 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1575 # so limit the signal latency.
1576 _sig_add;
1577
1578 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1579 }
1580 ;
1581
1582 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1583 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1584
1585 _sig_del;
1586
1587 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1588
1589 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1590 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1591 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1592 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1593 # instead of getting the default action.
1594 undef $SIG{$signal}
1595 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1596 };
1597
1598 *_signal_exec = sub {
1599 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1600 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1601 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1602
1603 while (%SIG_EV) {
1604 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1605 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
831 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1606 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1607 }
1608 }
1609 };
832 }; 1610 };
1611 die if $@;
833 1612
834 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1613 &signal
835}
836
837sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
838 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
839
840 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
841
842 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
843} 1614}
844 1615
845# default implementation for ->child 1616# default implementation for ->child
846 1617
847our %PID_CB; 1618our %PID_CB;
848our $CHLD_W; 1619our $CHLD_W;
849our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1620our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
850our $PID_IDLE;
851our $WNOHANG;
852 1621
853sub _child_wait { 1622# used by many Impl's
854 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1623sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1624 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1625
1626 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
855 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1627 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
856 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1628 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
857 }
858
859 undef $PID_IDLE;
860}
861
862sub _sigchld {
863 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
864 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
865 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
866 &_child_wait;
867 });
868} 1629}
869 1630
870sub child { 1631sub child {
1632 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1633 *_sigchld = sub {
1634 my $pid;
1635
1636 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1637 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1638 };
1639
1640 *child = sub {
871 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1641 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
872 1642
873 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1643 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
874 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1644 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
875 1645
876 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1646 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
877 1647
878 unless ($WNOHANG) {
879 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
880 }
881
882 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1648 unless ($CHLD_W) {
883 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1649 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
884 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1650 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
885 &_sigchld; 1651 &_sigchld;
886 } 1652 }
887 1653
888 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1654 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
889} 1655 };
890 1656
891sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1657 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
892 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1658 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
893 1659
894 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1660 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
895 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1661 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
896 1662
897 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1663 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1664 };
1665 };
1666 die if $@;
1667
1668 &child
1669}
1670
1671# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1672# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1673# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1674sub idle {
1675 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1676 *idle = sub {
1677 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1678
1679 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1680
1681 $rcb = sub {
1682 if ($cb) {
1683 $w = _time;
1684 &$cb;
1685 $w = _time - $w;
1686
1687 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1688 # within some limits
1689 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1690 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1691
1692 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1693 } else {
1694 # clean up...
1695 undef $w;
1696 undef $rcb;
1697 }
1698 };
1699
1700 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1701
1702 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1703 };
1704
1705 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1706 undef $${$_[0]};
1707 };
1708 };
1709 die if $@;
1710
1711 &idle
898} 1712}
899 1713
900package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1714package AnyEvent::CondVar;
901 1715
902our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1716our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
903 1717
1718# only to be used for subclassing
1719sub new {
1720 my $class = shift;
1721 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1722}
1723
904package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1724package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1725
1726#use overload
1727# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1728# fallback => 1;
1729
1730# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1731${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1732*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1733*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1734${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1735
1736our $WAITING;
905 1737
906sub _send { 1738sub _send {
907 # nop 1739 # nop
908} 1740}
909 1741
922sub ready { 1754sub ready {
923 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1755 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
924} 1756}
925 1757
926sub _wait { 1758sub _wait {
1759 $WAITING
1760 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1761 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1762
1763 local $WAITING = 1;
927 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1764 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
928} 1765}
929 1766
930sub recv { 1767sub recv {
931 $_[0]->_wait; 1768 $_[0]->_wait;
933 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1770 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
934 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1771 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
935} 1772}
936 1773
937sub cb { 1774sub cb {
938 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1775 my $cv = shift;
1776
1777 @_
1778 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1779 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1780 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1781
939 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1782 $cv->{_ae_cb}
940} 1783}
941 1784
942sub begin { 1785sub begin {
943 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1786 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
944 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1787 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
945} 1788}
946 1789
947sub end { 1790sub end {
948 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1791 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
949 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} } if $_[0]{_ae_end_cb}; 1792 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
950} 1793}
951 1794
952# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1795# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
953*broadcast = \&send; 1796*broadcast = \&send;
954*wait = \&_wait; 1797*wait = \&_wait;
1798
1799=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1800
1801In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1802caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1803the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1804checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1805development.
1806
1807As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1808executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1809also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1810program.
1811
1812The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1813within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1814$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1815so on.
1816
1817=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1818
1819The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1820submodules.
1821
1822Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1823C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1824enabled.
1825
1826=over 4
1827
1828=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1829
1830By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1831conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1832talkative.
1833
1834When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1835conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1836C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1837
1838When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1839model it chooses.
1840
1841When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1842which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1843
1844=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1845
1846AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1847argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1848will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1849check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1850it will croak.
1851
1852In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1853
1854Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1855>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1856C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1857can be very useful, however.
1858
1859=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1860
1861This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1862auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1863entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1864and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1865used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1866auto detection and -probing.
1867
1868This functionality might change in future versions.
1869
1870For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1871could start your program like this:
1872
1873 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1874
1875=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1876
1877Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1878for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1879of auto probing).
1880
1881Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1882current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1883used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1884list.
1885
1886This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1887against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1888small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1889
1890Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1891but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1892- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1893addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1894IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1895
1896=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1897
1898Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1899for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1900some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1901default.
1902
1903Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1904EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1905
1906=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1907
1908The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1909will create in parallel.
1910
1911=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1912
1913The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1914resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1915sent to the DNS server.
1916
1917=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1918
1919The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1920configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1921default config will be used.
1922
1923=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1924
1925When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1926L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1927variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1928instead of a system-dependent default.
1929
1930=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1931
1932When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1933loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1934
1935=back
955 1936
956=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1937=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
957 1938
958This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1939This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
959a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1940a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
993 1974
994I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1975I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
995condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1976condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
996C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1977C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
997not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1978not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
998
999=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1000
1001The following environment variables are used by this module:
1002
1003=over 4
1004
1005=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1006
1007By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1008conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1009talkative.
1010
1011When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1012conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1013C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1014
1015When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1016model it chooses.
1017
1018=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1019
1020This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1021autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1022entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1023and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1024used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1025autodetection and -probing.
1026
1027This functionality might change in future versions.
1028
1029For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1030could start your program like this:
1031
1032 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1033
1034=back
1035 1979
1036=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1980=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1037 1981
1038The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1982The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1039to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1983to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1052 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1996 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1053 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1997 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1054 }, 1998 },
1055 ); 1999 );
1056 2000
1057 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1058
1059 sub new_timer {
1060 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2001 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1061 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2002 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1062 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1063 }); 2003 });
1064 }
1065
1066 new_timer; # create first timer
1067 2004
1068 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2005 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1069 2006
1070=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2007=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1071 2008
1123 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 2060 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
1124 or die "connection or write error"; 2061 or die "connection or write error";
1125 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 2062 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
1126 2063
1127Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 2064Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
1128result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 2065result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
1129 2066
1130 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 2067 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
1131 2068
1132 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 2069 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
1133 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 2070 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
1141 2078
1142 $txn->{finished}->recv; 2079 $txn->{finished}->recv;
1143 return $txn->{result}; 2080 return $txn->{result};
1144 2081
1145The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2082The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1146that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2083that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1147whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2084whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1148and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2085and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1149problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2086problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1150random callback. 2087random callback.
1151 2088
1152All of this enables the following usage styles: 2089All of this enables the following usage styles:
1153 2090
11541. Blocking: 20911. Blocking:
1197of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 2134of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
1198 2135
1199=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 2136=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
1200 2137
1201Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 2138Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
1202through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2139through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1203timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2140timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1204which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2141which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1205 2142
1206Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2143Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1207distribution. 2144distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2145for the EV and Perl backends only.
1208 2146
1209=head3 Explanation of the columns 2147=head3 Explanation of the columns
1210 2148
1211I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2149I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1212different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2150different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1233watcher. 2171watcher.
1234 2172
1235=head3 Results 2173=head3 Results
1236 2174
1237 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2175 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1238 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2176 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1239 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2177 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1240 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2178 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1241 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2179 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1242 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2180 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1243 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2181 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2182 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2183 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1244 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2184 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1245 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2185 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1246 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2186 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1247 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2187 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1248 2188
1249=head3 Discussion 2189=head3 Discussion
1250 2190
1251The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2191The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1252well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2192well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1264benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2204benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1265EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2205EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1266cycles with POE. 2206cycles with POE.
1267 2207
1268C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2208C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1269maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2209maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2210overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2211slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1270far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2212any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1271natively.
1272 2213
1273The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2214The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1274constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2215constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1275interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2216interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1276adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2217adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1277performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2218performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1278them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2219them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1279 2220
1280The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2221The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1281cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2222cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2223
2224C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2225when using its pure perl backend.
1282 2226
1283C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2227C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1284faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2228faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1285C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2229C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1286watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2230watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1330 2274
1331=back 2275=back
1332 2276
1333=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 2277=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1334 2278
1335This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 2279This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1336creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 2280creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1337timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 2281timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1338watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 2282watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1339watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 2283watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1340 2284
1341The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 2285The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1342are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 2286are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1343fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 2287fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1344timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 2288timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1345most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 2289most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1346 2290
1347In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2291In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1348(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2292(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1349connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2293connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1350 2294
1351Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2295Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1352distribution. 2296distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2297for the EV and Perl backends only.
1353 2298
1354=head3 Explanation of the columns 2299=head3 Explanation of the columns
1355 2300
1356I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2301I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1357each server has a read and write socket end). 2302each server has a read and write socket end).
1358 2303
1359I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 2304I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1360nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 2305nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1361 2306
1362I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 2307I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1363single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 2308single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1364it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2309it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1365a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2310a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1366 2311
1367=head3 Results 2312=head3 Results
1368 2313
1369 name sockets create request 2314 name sockets create request
1370 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2315 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1371 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2316 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1372 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2317 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1373 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2318 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2319 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2320 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1374 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2321 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1375 2322
1376=head3 Discussion 2323=head3 Discussion
1377 2324
1378This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2325This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1379particular event loop. 2326particular event loop.
1381EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2328EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1382is relatively high, though. 2329is relatively high, though.
1383 2330
1384Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2331Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1385loops Event and Glib. 2332loops Event and Glib.
2333
2334IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2335good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1386 2336
1387Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2337Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1388understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2338understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1389the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2339the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1390uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2340uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1437speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 2387speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1438them). 2388them).
1439 2389
1440EV is again fastest. 2390EV is again fastest.
1441 2391
1442Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 2392Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1443loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 2393loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1444matter. 2394matter.
1445 2395
1446POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 2396POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1447others. 2397others.
1453=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2403=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1454watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2404watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1455 2405
1456=back 2406=back
1457 2407
2408=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2409
2410Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2411could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2412simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2413shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2414fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2415very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2416baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2417
2418The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2419connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2420creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2421test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2422benchmark nevertheless.
2423
2424 name runtime
2425 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2426 + optimized 0.122 sec
2427 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2428 + optimized 0.138 sec
2429 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2430 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2431 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2432 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2433
2434 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2435 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2436 +state machine 0.134 sec
2437
2438The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2439benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2440defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2441written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2442AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2443resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2444generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2445connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2446
2447The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2448offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2449Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2450non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2451
2452As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2453hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2454backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2455
2456And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2457slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2458higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2459it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2460
2461The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2462F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2463part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2464
2465
2466=head1 SIGNALS
2467
2468AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2469
2470=over 4
2471
2472=item SIGCHLD
2473
2474A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2475emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2476event loops install a similar handler.
2477
2478Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2479AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2480
2481=item SIGPIPE
2482
2483A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2484when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2485
2486The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2487on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2488badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2489program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2490some random socket.
2491
2492The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2493that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2494
2495Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2496
2497=back
2498
2499=cut
2500
2501undef $SIG{CHLD}
2502 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2503
2504$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2505 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2506
2507=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2508
2509One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2510its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2511
2512That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2513modules if they are installed.
2514
2515This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2516affect AnyEvent's operation.
2517
2518=over 4
2519
2520=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2521
2522This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2523my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2524signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2525delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2526catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2527C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2528
2529If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2530catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2531will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2532battery life on laptops).
2533
2534This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2535that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2536
2537Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2538and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2539(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2540does nothing for those backends.
2541
2542=item L<EV>
2543
2544This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2545event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2546loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2547the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2548automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2549can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2550C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2551L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2552
2553If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2554then this module will do nothing for you.
2555
2556=item L<Guard>
2557
2558The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2559C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2560lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2561purely used for performance.
2562
2563=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2564
2565One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2566via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2567advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2568
2569=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2570
2571Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2572worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2573the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2574
2575=item L<Time::HiRes>
2576
2577This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2578chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2579pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2580try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2581
2582=back
2583
1458 2584
1459=head1 FORK 2585=head1 FORK
1460 2586
1461Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2587Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1462because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2588because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1463calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2589- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2590are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2591one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2592continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2593what you are doing).
2594
2595This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2596the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2597usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2598is loaded).
1464 2599
1465If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2600If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1466watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2601watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2602something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2603
2604The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2605is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2606fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2607watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2608parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2609to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2610preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2611to have another binary.
1467 2612
1468 2613
1469=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2614=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1470 2615
1471AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2616AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1476specified in the variable. 2621specified in the variable.
1477 2622
1478You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2623You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1479before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2624before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1480 2625
1481 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2626 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1482 2627
1483 use AnyEvent; 2628 use AnyEvent;
1484 2629
1485Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2630Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1486be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2631be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1487probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2632probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2633$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2634
2635Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2636C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2637enabled.
2638
2639
2640=head1 BUGS
2641
2642Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2643to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2644and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2645memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2646pronounced).
1488 2647
1489 2648
1490=head1 SEE ALSO 2649=head1 SEE ALSO
2650
2651Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2652
2653FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2654
2655Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1491 2656
1492Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2657Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1493L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2658L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1494 2659
1495Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2660Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1496L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2661L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1497L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2662L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1498L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2663L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
2664
2665Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2666servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1499 2667
1500Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2668Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1501 2669
1502Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2670Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
1503 2671
1504Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 2672Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2673L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1505 2674
1506 2675
1507=head1 AUTHOR 2676=head1 AUTHOR
1508 2677
1509 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2678 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1510 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2679 http://home.schmorp.de/
1511 2680
1512=cut 2681=cut
1513 2682
15141 26831
1515 2684

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