ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm
(Generate patch)

Comparing AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.237 by root, Thu Jul 16 01:17:23 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.382 by root, Thu Sep 1 23:46:26 2011 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt,
6event loops. 6FLTK and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
7 7
8=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
9 9
10 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
11 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
12 # file descriptor readable 15 # file handle or descriptor readable
13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14 17
15 # one-shot or repeating timers 18 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
18 21
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21 24
22 # POSIX signal 25 # POSIX signal
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41 44
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 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.
45 58
46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
47 60
48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
65module 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
66model you use. 79model you use.
67 80
68For 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
69actually 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
70like 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
71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
73module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
74 87
75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
76fine. 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
77with 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
78your 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
79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
80event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
83 96
84In 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
85model>, 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
86modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
87follow. 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
88offering 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
89technically possible. 102technically possible.
90 103
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
98useful) 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
99model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
100 113
101=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
102 115
103L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
104allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
105users 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
106peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
107 120
108The 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>
109module. 122module.
110 123
111During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
112to 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
113following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Loop>,
114L<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
115L<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
116to 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
117adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Loop> should always work, so
118be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
119found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
120very efficient, but should work everywhere.
121 132
122Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
123an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
124that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
125 136
127 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
128 139
129 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
130 141
131The 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
132starts 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,
133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
134 146
135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called C<AnyEvent::Loop>. Like
136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148other event modules you can load it explicitly and enjoy the high
137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149availability of that event loop :)
138 150
139=head1 WATCHERS 151=head1 WATCHERS
140 152
141AnyEvent 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
142stores 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
147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
148is in control). 160is in control).
149 161
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops. 166widely between event loops.
155 167
156To 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
157variable 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
158to it). 170to it).
159 171
160All 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.
161 173
162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
164 176
165An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
166 178
167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
169 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
170 }); 182 });
172Note 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,
173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
174declared. 186declared.
175 187
176=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
177 195
178You 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
179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
180 198
181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196 214
197The 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.
198You 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
199underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
200 218
201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
203handles. 221handles.
204 222
205Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
206watcher. 224watcher.
211 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
212 }); 230 });
213 231
214=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
215 233
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
216You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
217method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
218 244
219C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
220supported) 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
222 248
223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
226 252
227The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
232 258
233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
235only approximate. 261only approximate.
236 262
237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238 264
239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
257 283
258While 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
259use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
260"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
261the 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
262fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
263 289
264AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
265about 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
266on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
267timers. 293timers.
268 294
269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
270AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
292I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
293function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294 320
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
298 324
299The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
300with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
301 327
302For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304 330
305The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
308second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires 334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
309after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
310 336
330difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
331account. 357account.
332 358
333=item AnyEvent->now_update 359=item AnyEvent->now_update
334 360
335Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache 361Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Loop>) cache the current
336the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<< 362time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<< AnyEvent->now >>,
337AnyEvent->now >>, above). 363above).
338 364
339When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then 365When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
340this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which 366this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
341might affect timers and time-outs. 367might affect timers and time-outs.
342 368
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the 369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time". 370event loop's idea of "current time".
345 371
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
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled. 379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347 380
348=back 381=back
349 382
350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
351 386
352You 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
353I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
355 390
361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
362that 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,
363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
364 399
365The 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
366between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
367 403
368This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
369directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
370 407
371Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
372 409
373 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
374 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$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
375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
376 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
377You 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.
378 454
379The 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,
380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
381the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
382any trace events (stopped/continued). 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
459(stopped/continued).
383 460
384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
385waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments. 463callback arguments.
387 464
403 480
404This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
405thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
406watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
407C<AnyEvent::detect>). 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 case the latency and race
488problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
408 489
409Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
410 491
411 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
412 493
424 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
425 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
426 507
427=head2 IDLE WATCHERS 508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
428 509
429Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important 510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
430to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
431"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
432attention by the event loop".
433 511
434Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing 512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
435better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new 513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
436events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
437 514
438Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 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
439EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
440will simply call the callback "from time to time". 526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
441 527
442Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the 528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
443program is otherwise idle: 529program is otherwise idle:
459 }); 545 });
460 }); 546 });
461 547
462=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
463 549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
554
464If 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
465require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
466will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
467 558
468AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
469will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
470 561
471The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
472because 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.
473 566
474Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
475>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
476
477C<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
478becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
479the results). 571the results).
480 572
481After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
482by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
483were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
484->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
485 577
486Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
487optionally 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:
488in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
489another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
490used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
491a 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
492 601
493Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
494for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
495then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
496availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
509 618
510Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
511used 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
512easy (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
513AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
514it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
515 624
516There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
517eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
518for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
519 628
520Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
521 630
522 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
523 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
524 633
525 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
526 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
527 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
528 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
529 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
530 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
531 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
532 ); 641 );
533 642
534 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
535 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
536 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
537 646
538Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
539condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
540 649
541 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
542 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
543 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
544 653
550 659
551 ... 660 ...
552 661
553 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
554 663
555And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
556results are available: 665results are available:
557 666
558 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
559 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
560 }); 669 });
578immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
579 688
580Any 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
581future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
582 691
583Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
584(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
585C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
586overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
587instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
588support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
589invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
590example).
591 695
592=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
593 697
594Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
595C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
596 700
597This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
598user/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.
599 707
600=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
601 709
602=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
603 711
605one. 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
606to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
607 715
608Every 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
609C<< ->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
610>>, 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
611is 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
612callback 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.
613 722
614You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
615sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND 724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
616condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends). 725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
617 726
639one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before 748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
640sending. 749sending.
641 750
642The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the 751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
643there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are 752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
644begung can potentially be zero: 753begun can potentially be zero:
645 754
646 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
647 756
648 my %result; 757 my %result;
649 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
650 759
651 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
652 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
653 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
654 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
670to 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
671C<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
672doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
673 782
674This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
675potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
676the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
677subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
678call C<end>. 787call C<end>.
679 788
680=back 789=back
687=over 4 796=over 4
688 797
689=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
690 799
691Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
692>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
693normally. 802normally.
694 803
695You 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
696will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
697 806
699function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
700 809
701In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
702in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
703 812
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
704Not 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
705(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
706using 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
707caller 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
708condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
709callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
710while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
711 827
712Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
713sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
714multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
715can supply.
716
717The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
718fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
719versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
720C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
721coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
722
723You 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
724only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
725time). 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
726waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
727 832
728=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
734 839
735This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
736replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
737 842
738The 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
739C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
740variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
741is guaranteed not to block. 846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
742 848
743=back 849=back
744 850
745=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS 851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
746 852
749=over 4 855=over 4
750 856
751=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found. 857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
752 858
753EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in 859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
754use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing 860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
755that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is 861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
756available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself. 862AnyEvent itself.
757 863
758 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice). 864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
759 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
760 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable. 865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl AnyEvent::Loop, fast and portable.
761 866
762=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used. 867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
763 868
764These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher 869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
765is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using 870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
766them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend 871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
767when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to 872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
768create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program. 873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
769 874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
770 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable. 876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
771 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken. 877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
772 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
773 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations. 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 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding).
774 884
775=item Backends with special needs. 885=item Backends with special needs.
776 886
777Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will 887Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
778otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program 888otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
779instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created, 889instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
780everything should just work. 890everything should just work.
781 891
782 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt. 892 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
783 893
784Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
785architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
786is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
787it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
788L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
789
790 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
791
792=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends. 894=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
793 895
794Some event loops can be supported via other modules: 896Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
795 897
796There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>. 898There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
821Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the 923Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
822backend has been autodetected. 924backend has been autodetected.
823 925
824Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the 926Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
825name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one 927name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
826of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the 928of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
827case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it 929case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
828will be C<urxvt::anyevent>). 930will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
829 931
830=item AnyEvent::detect 932=item AnyEvent::detect
831 933
832Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 934Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
833if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 935if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
834have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 936have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
835runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module. 937runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
938
939The effect of calling this function is as if a watcher had been created
940(specifically, actions that happen "when the first watcher is created"
941happen when calling detetc as well).
836 942
837If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are 943If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
838created, use C<post_detect>. 944created, use C<post_detect>.
839 945
840=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 946=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
841 947
842Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 948Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
843autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 949autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
844 950
845The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected 951The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
846(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been 952(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
847created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do 953created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
848other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or 954other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
852event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates 958event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
853and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to 959and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
854avoid autodetecting the event module at load time. 960avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
855 961
856If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 962If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
857that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 963that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
964C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
858L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 965a case where this is useful.
966
967Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
968C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
969
970 our WATCHER;
971
972 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
973 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
974 };
975
976 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
977 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
978 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
979 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
980
981 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
859 982
860=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 983=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
861 984
862If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 985If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
863before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 986before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
864the event loop has been chosen. 987after the event loop has been chosen.
865 988
866You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 989You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
867if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the 990if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
868array will be ignored. 991array will be ignored.
869 992
870Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows 993Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
871it,as it takes care of these details. 994it, as it takes care of these details.
872 995
873This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful 996This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
874when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do 997when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
875not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook 998not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
876into AnyEvent passively, without loading it. 999into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
877 1000
1001Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1002together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1003Coro to accomplish this):
1004
1005 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1006 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1007 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1008 } else {
1009 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1010 # as soon as it is
1011 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1012 }
1013
1014=item AnyEvent::postpone { BLOCK }
1015
1016Arranges for the block to be executed as soon as possible, but not before
1017the call itself returns. In practise, the block will be executed just
1018before the event loop polls for new events, or shortly afterwards.
1019
1020This function never returns anything (to make the C<return postpone { ...
1021}> idiom more useful.
1022
1023To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function that
1024asynchronously does something for you and returns some transaction
1025object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For example,
1026C<AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect>:
1027
1028 # start a conenction attempt unless one is active
1029 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
1030 delete $self->{connect_guard};
1031 ...
1032 };
1033
1034Imagine that this function could instantly call the callback, for
1035example, because it detects an obvious error such as a negative port
1036number. Invoking the callback before the function returns causes problems
1037however: the callback will be called and will try to delete the guard
1038object. But since the function hasn't returned yet, there is nothing to
1039delete. When the function eventually returns it will assign the guard
1040object to C<< $self->{connect_guard} >>, where it will likely never be
1041deleted, so the program thinks it is still trying to connect.
1042
1043This is where C<AnyEvent::postpone> should be used. Instead of calling the
1044callback directly on error:
1045
1046 $cb->(undef), return # signal error to callback, BAD!
1047 if $some_error_condition;
1048
1049It should use C<postpone>:
1050
1051 AnyEvent::postpone { $cb->(undef) }, return # signal error to callback, later
1052 if $some_error_condition;
1053
1054=item AnyEvent::log $level, $msg[, @args]
1055
1056Log the given C<$msg> at the given C<$level>.
1057
1058If L<AnyEvent::Log> is not loaded then this function makes a simple test
1059to see whether the message will be logged. If the test succeeds it will
1060load AnyEvent::Log and call C<AnyEvent::Log::log> - consequently, look at
1061the L<AnyEvent::Log> documentation for details.
1062
1063If the test fails it will simply return. Right now this happens when a
1064numerical loglevel is used and it is larger than the level specified via
1065C<$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}>.
1066
1067If you want to sprinkle loads of logging calls around your code, consider
1068creating a logger callback with the C<AnyEvent::Log::logger> function,
1069which can reduce typing, codesize and can reduce the logging overhead
1070enourmously.
1071
878=back 1072=back
879 1073
880=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1074=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
881 1075
882As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 1076As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
892because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1086because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
893events is to stay interactive. 1087events is to stay interactive.
894 1088
895It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1089It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
896requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1090requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
897called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1091called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
898freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1092freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
899 1093
900=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1094=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
901 1095
902There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1096There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
903dictate which event model to use. 1097dictate which event model to use.
904 1098
905If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1099If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
906do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1100when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
907decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1101uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1102to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1103available loop implementation.
908 1104
909If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1105If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
910Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1106Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
911event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1107event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
912speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1108speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
913modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1109modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
914decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1110decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
915might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1111might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
916 1112
917You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1113You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
918C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1114C<AnyEvent::Loop> module, which gives you similar behaviour
919everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1115everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
920 1116
921=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION 1117=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
922 1118
923Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who 1119Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
936 1132
937 1133
938=head1 OTHER MODULES 1134=head1 OTHER MODULES
939 1135
940The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1136The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
941AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent 1137AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
942modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules 1138AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
943come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN. 1139modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN (see
1140L<http://search.cpan.org/search?m=module&q=anyevent%3A%3A*> for
1141a longer non-exhaustive list), and the list is heavily biased towards
1142modules of the AnyEvent author himself :)
944 1143
945=over 4 1144=over 4
946 1145
947=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1146=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
948 1147
949Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1148Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
950functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1149functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
951 1150
952=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1151=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
953 1152
954Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1153Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
955addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1154addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
957 1156
958=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1157=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
959 1158
960Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1159Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
961supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1160supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
962non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>. 1161non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
963 1162
964=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1163=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
965 1164
966Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1165Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
967 1166
1167=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1168
1169Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1170the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1171Client Protocol).
1172
968=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1173=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
969 1174
970A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1175Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
971HTTP requests. 1176toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1177L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1178file I/O, and much more.
1179
1180=item L<AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify>
1181
1182AnyEvent is good for non-blocking stuff, but it can't detect file or
1183path changes (e.g. "watch this directory for new files", "watch this
1184file for changes"). The L<AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify> module promises to
1185do just that in a portbale fashion, supporting inotify on GNU/Linux and
1186some weird, without doubt broken, stuff on OS X to monitor files. It can
1187fall back to blocking scans at regular intervals transparently on other
1188platforms, so it's about as portable as it gets.
1189
1190(I haven't used it myself, but I haven't heard anybody complaining about
1191it yet).
1192
1193=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1194
1195Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1196notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
972 1197
973=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1198=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
974 1199
975Provides a simple web application server framework. 1200A simple embedded webserver.
976 1201
977=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1202=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
978 1203
979The fastest ping in the west. 1204The fastest ping in the west.
980 1205
981=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
982
983Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
984
985=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
986
987Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
988programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
989together.
990
991=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
992
993Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
994L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
995
996=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
997
998A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
999
1000=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1001
1002AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1003
1004=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1005
1006AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1007Net::XMPP2>.
1008
1009=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1010
1011A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1012L<App::IGS>).
1013
1014=item L<Net::FCP>
1015
1016AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
1017of AnyEvent.
1018
1019=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
1020
1021High level API for event-based execution flow control.
1022
1023=item L<Coro> 1206=item L<Coro>
1024 1207
1025Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1208Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you
1209to simply invert the flow control - don't call us, we will call you:
1210
1211 async {
1212 Coro::AnyEvent::sleep 5; # creates a 5s timer and waits for it
1213 print "5 seconds later!\n";
1214
1215 Coro::AnyEvent::readable *STDIN; # uses an I/O watcher
1216 my $line = <STDIN>; # works for ttys
1217
1218 AnyEvent::HTTP::http_get "url", Coro::rouse_cb;
1219 my ($body, $hdr) = Coro::rouse_wait;
1220 };
1026 1221
1027=back 1222=back
1028 1223
1029=cut 1224=cut
1030 1225
1031package AnyEvent; 1226package AnyEvent;
1032 1227
1033no warnings; 1228# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1034use strict qw(vars subs); 1229sub common_sense {
1230 # from common:.sense 3.4
1231 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf0\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1232 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1233 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1234}
1035 1235
1236BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1237
1036use Carp; 1238use Carp ();
1037 1239
1038our $VERSION = 4.82; 1240our $VERSION = '6.02';
1039our $MODEL; 1241our $MODEL;
1040
1041our $AUTOLOAD;
1042our @ISA; 1242our @ISA;
1043
1044our @REGISTRY; 1243our @REGISTRY;
1045 1244our $VERBOSE;
1046our $WIN32; 1245our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1246our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1047 1247
1048BEGIN { 1248BEGIN {
1049 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }"; 1249 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1250
1050 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }"; 1251 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1051 1252
1052 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} 1253 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1053 if ${^TAINT}; 1254 if ${^TAINT};
1054}
1055 1255
1056our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1256 $ENV{"PERL_ANYEVENT_$_"} = $ENV{"AE_$_"}
1257 for grep s/^AE_// && !exists $ENV{"PERL_ANYEVENT_$_"}, keys %ENV;
1057 1258
1058our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1259 @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV} = ()
1260 if ${^TAINT};
1059 1261
1060{ 1262 # $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_xxx} now valid
1263
1264 $VERBOSE = length $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE} ? $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1 : 3;
1265
1061 my $idx; 1266 my $idx;
1062 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1267 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1063 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1268 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1064 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1269 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1065} 1270}
1066 1271
1272our @post_detect;
1273
1274sub post_detect(&) {
1275 my ($cb) = @_;
1276
1277 push @post_detect, $cb;
1278
1279 defined wantarray
1280 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1281 : ()
1282}
1283
1284sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1285 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1286}
1287
1288our $POSTPONE_W;
1289our @POSTPONE;
1290
1291sub _postpone_exec {
1292 undef $POSTPONE_W;
1293
1294 &{ shift @POSTPONE }
1295 while @POSTPONE;
1296}
1297
1298sub postpone(&) {
1299 push @POSTPONE, shift;
1300
1301 $POSTPONE_W ||= AE::timer (0, 0, \&_postpone_exec);
1302
1303 ()
1304}
1305
1306sub log($$;@) {
1307 # only load the big bloated module when we actually are about to log something
1308 if ($_[0] <= $VERBOSE) { # also catches non-numeric levels(!)
1309 require AnyEvent::Log;
1310 # AnyEvent::Log overwrites this function
1311 goto &log;
1312 }
1313
1314 0 # not logged
1315}
1316
1317if (length $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG}) {
1318 require AnyEvent::Log; # AnyEvent::Log does the thing for us
1319}
1320
1067my @models = ( 1321our @models = (
1068 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1322 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
1069 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1323 [AnyEvent::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1070 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
1071 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1324 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1072 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1325 # as the pure perl backend should work everywhere
1073 # and is usually faster 1326 # and is usually faster
1327 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1074 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers 1328 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1075 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1329 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1330 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
1076 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1331 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1077 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1332 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1078 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1333 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
1079 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1334 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1080 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1335 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1081 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its 1336 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # a bitch to autodetect
1082 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others. 1337 [Cocoa::EventLoop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa::],
1083 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any 1338 [FLTK:: => AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK::],
1084 # obvious default class.
1085# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1086# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1087# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1088); 1339);
1089 1340
1090our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1341our @isa_hook;
1342
1343sub _isa_set {
1344 my @pkg = ("AnyEvent", (map $_->[0], grep defined, @isa_hook), $MODEL);
1345
1346 @{"$pkg[$_-1]::ISA"} = $pkg[$_]
1347 for 1 .. $#pkg;
1348
1349 grep $_ && $_->[1], @isa_hook
1350 and AE::_reset ();
1351}
1352
1353# used for hooking AnyEvent::Strict and AnyEvent::Debug::Wrap into the class hierarchy
1354sub _isa_hook($$;$) {
1355 my ($i, $pkg, $reset_ae) = @_;
1356
1357 $isa_hook[$i] = $pkg ? [$pkg, $reset_ae] : undef;
1358
1359 _isa_set;
1360}
1361
1362# all autoloaded methods reserve the complete glob, not just the method slot.
1363# due to bugs in perls method cache implementation.
1091 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY); 1364our @methods = qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar);
1092 1365
1093our @post_detect;
1094
1095sub post_detect(&) { 1366sub detect() {
1096 my ($cb) = @_; 1367 return $MODEL if $MODEL; # some programs keep references to detect
1097 1368
1098 if ($MODEL) { 1369 local $!; # for good measure
1099 $cb->(); 1370 local $SIG{__DIE__}; # we use eval
1100 1371
1101 1 1372 # free some memory
1373 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1374 # undef &func doesn't correctly update the method cache. grmbl.
1375 # so we delete the whole glob. grmbl.
1376 # otoh, perl doesn't let me undef an active usb, but it lets me free
1377 # a glob with an active sub. hrm. i hope it works, but perl is
1378 # usually buggy in this department. sigh.
1379 delete @{"AnyEvent::"}{@methods};
1380 undef @methods;
1381
1382 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z0-9:]+)$/) {
1383 my $model = $1;
1384 $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$model" unless $model =~ s/::$//;
1385 if (eval "require $model") {
1386 AnyEvent::log 7 => "loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.";
1387 $MODEL = $model;
1102 } else { 1388 } else {
1103 push @post_detect, $cb; 1389 AnyEvent::log 5 => "unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@";
1104 1390 }
1105 defined wantarray
1106 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1107 : ()
1108 } 1391 }
1109}
1110 1392
1111sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY { 1393 # check for already loaded models
1112 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1113}
1114
1115sub detect() {
1116 unless ($MODEL) { 1394 unless ($MODEL) {
1117 no strict 'refs'; 1395 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1118 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1396 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1119 1397 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
1120 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1121 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1122 if (eval "require $model") { 1398 if (eval "require $model") {
1399 AnyEvent::log 7 => "autodetected model '$model', using it.";
1123 $MODEL = $model; 1400 $MODEL = $model;
1124 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1401 last;
1125 } else { 1402 }
1126 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose;
1127 } 1403 }
1128 } 1404 }
1129 1405
1130 # check for already loaded models
1131 unless ($MODEL) { 1406 unless ($MODEL) {
1407 # try to autoload a model
1132 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1408 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1133 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1409 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1410 if (
1411 $autoload
1412 and eval "require $package"
1134 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1413 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1135 if (eval "require $model") { 1414 and eval "require $model"
1415 ) {
1416 AnyEvent::log 7 => "autoloaded model '$model', using it.";
1136 $MODEL = $model; 1417 $MODEL = $model;
1137 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
1138 last; 1418 last;
1139 }
1140 } 1419 }
1141 } 1420 }
1142 1421
1143 unless ($MODEL) {
1144 # try to load a model
1145
1146 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
1147 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
1148 if (eval "require $package"
1149 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
1150 and eval "require $model") {
1151 $MODEL = $model;
1152 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
1153 last;
1154 }
1155 }
1156
1157 $MODEL 1422 $MODEL
1158 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n"; 1423 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?";
1159 }
1160 } 1424 }
1161
1162 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1163
1164 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1165
1166 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1167
1168 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1169 } 1425 }
1170 1426
1427 # free memory only needed for probing
1428 undef @models;
1429 undef @REGISTRY;
1430
1431 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1432
1433 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1434 # SUPER usage is not allowed in these.
1435 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1436 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1437 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1438 }
1439
1440 _isa_set;
1441
1442 # we're officially open!
1443
1444 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1445 require AnyEvent::Strict;
1446 }
1447
1448 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP}) {
1449 require AnyEvent::Debug;
1450 AnyEvent::Debug::wrap ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP});
1451 }
1452
1453 if (length $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL}) {
1454 require AnyEvent::Socket;
1455 require AnyEvent::Debug;
1456
1457 my $shell = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL};
1458 $shell =~ s/\$\$/$$/g;
1459
1460 my ($host, $service) = AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport ($shell);
1461 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL = AnyEvent::Debug::shell ($host, $service);
1462 }
1463
1464 # now the anyevent environment is set up as the user told us to, so
1465 # call the actual user code - post detects
1466
1467 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1468 undef @post_detect;
1469
1470 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1471 shift->();
1472
1473 undef
1474 };
1475
1171 $MODEL 1476 $MODEL
1172} 1477}
1173 1478
1174sub AUTOLOAD { 1479for my $name (@methods) {
1175 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1480 *$name = sub {
1176 1481 detect;
1177 $method{$func} 1482 # we use goto because
1178 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1483 # a) it makes the thunk more transparent
1179 1484 # b) it allows us to delete the thunk later
1180 detect unless $MODEL; 1485 goto &{ UNIVERSAL::can AnyEvent => "SUPER::$name" }
1181 1486 };
1182 my $class = shift;
1183 $class->$func (@_);
1184} 1487}
1185 1488
1186# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1489# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1187# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1490# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1188# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1491# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1189sub _dupfh($$;$$) { 1492sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1190 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1493 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1191 1494
1192 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1495 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1193 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") : ($w, ">"); 1496 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1194 1497
1195 open my $fh2, "$mode&", $fh 1498 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1196 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,"; 1499 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1197 1500
1198 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1501 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1199 1502
1200 ($fh2, $rw) 1503 ($fh2, $rw)
1201} 1504}
1202 1505
1506=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1507
1508Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1509simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1510overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1511
1512See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1513
1514=cut
1515
1516package AE;
1517
1518our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1519
1520sub _reset() {
1521 eval q{
1522 # fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1523 # implementations can overwrite these.
1524
1525 sub io($$$) {
1526 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1527 }
1528
1529 sub timer($$$) {
1530 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1531 }
1532
1533 sub signal($$) {
1534 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1535 }
1536
1537 sub child($$) {
1538 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1539 }
1540
1541 sub idle($) {
1542 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0]);
1543 }
1544
1545 sub cv(;&) {
1546 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1547 }
1548
1549 sub now() {
1550 AnyEvent->now
1551 }
1552
1553 sub now_update() {
1554 AnyEvent->now_update
1555 }
1556
1557 sub time() {
1558 AnyEvent->time
1559 }
1560
1561 *postpone = \&AnyEvent::postpone;
1562 *log = \&AnyEvent::log;
1563 };
1564 die if $@;
1565}
1566
1567BEGIN { _reset }
1568
1203package AnyEvent::Base; 1569package AnyEvent::Base;
1204 1570
1205# default implementations for many methods 1571# default implementations for many methods
1206 1572
1207BEGIN { 1573sub time {
1574 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1575 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1208 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") { 1576 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1577 *time = sub { Time::HiRes::time () };
1209 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1578 *AE::time = \& Time::HiRes::time ;
1579 *now = \&time;
1580 AnyEvent::log 8 => "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.";
1210 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1581 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1211 } else { 1582 } else {
1212 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1583 *time = sub { CORE::time };
1584 *AE::time = sub (){ CORE::time };
1585 *now = \&time;
1586 AnyEvent::log 3 => "using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!";
1587 }
1588 };
1589 die if $@;
1590
1591 &time
1592}
1593
1594*now = \&time;
1595sub now_update { }
1596
1597sub _poll {
1598 Carp::croak "$AnyEvent::MODEL does not support blocking waits. Caught";
1599}
1600
1601# default implementation for ->condvar
1602# in fact, the default should not be overwritten
1603
1604sub condvar {
1605 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1606 *condvar = sub {
1607 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1608 };
1609
1610 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1611 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1612 };
1613 };
1614 die if $@;
1615
1616 &condvar
1617}
1618
1619# default implementation for ->signal
1620
1621our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1622
1623sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1624 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1625 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1626 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1627
1628 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1629}
1630
1631our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1632our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1633our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1634
1635# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1636# used by Impls
1637sub _sig_add() {
1638 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1639 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1640 my $NOW = AE::now;
1641
1642 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1643 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1644 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1645 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1646 ;
1213 } 1647 }
1214} 1648}
1215 1649
1216sub time { _time } 1650sub _sig_del {
1217sub now { _time } 1651 undef $SIG_TW
1218sub now_update { } 1652 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1219
1220# default implementation for ->condvar
1221
1222sub condvar {
1223 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1224} 1653}
1225 1654
1226# default implementation for ->signal 1655our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1656 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1657 undef $_sig_name_init;
1227 1658
1228our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1659 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1660 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1661 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1662 } else {
1663 require Config;
1229 1664
1230sub _signal_exec { 1665 my %signame2num;
1231 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1666 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1667 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1232 1668
1233 while (%SIG_EV) { 1669 my @signum2name;
1234 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1670 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1235 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1671
1236 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1672 *sig2num = sub($) {
1673 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1674 };
1675 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1676 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1677 };
1237 } 1678 }
1238 } 1679 };
1239} 1680 die if $@;
1681};
1682
1683sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1684sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1240 1685
1241sub signal { 1686sub signal {
1242 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1687 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1688 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1689 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1690 AnyEvent::log 8 => "using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.";
1243 1691
1244 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1692 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1245 require Fcntl; 1693 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1246 1694
1247 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1248 require AnyEvent::Util;
1249
1250 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1251 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1252 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1253 } else { 1695 } else {
1696 AnyEvent::log 8 => "using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.";
1697
1698 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1699 require AnyEvent::Util;
1700
1701 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1702 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1703 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1704 } else {
1254 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1705 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1255 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1706 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1256 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1707 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1257 1708
1258 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1709 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1259 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1710 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1260 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC; 1711 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1712 }
1713
1714 $SIGPIPE_R
1715 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1716
1717 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1261 } 1718 }
1262 1719
1263 $SIGPIPE_R 1720 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1264 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1721 ? sub {
1722 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1265 1723
1266 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1724 # async::interrupt
1267 }
1268
1269 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1725 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1270 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1271
1272 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1726 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1727
1728 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1729 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1730 signal => $signal,
1731 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1732 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1733 ;
1734
1735 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1736 }
1737 : sub {
1738 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1739
1740 # pure perl
1741 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1742 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1743
1273 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1744 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1274 local $!; 1745 local $!;
1275 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1746 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1276 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1747 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1748 };
1749
1750 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1751 # so limit the signal latency.
1752 _sig_add;
1753
1754 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1755 }
1756 ;
1757
1758 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1759 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1760
1761 _sig_del;
1762
1763 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1764
1765 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1766 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1767 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1768 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1769 # instead of getting the default action.
1770 undef $SIG{$signal}
1771 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1772 };
1773
1774 *_signal_exec = sub {
1775 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1776 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1777 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1778
1779 while (%SIG_EV) {
1780 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1781 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1782 &$_ for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1783 }
1784 }
1785 };
1277 }; 1786 };
1787 die if $@;
1278 1788
1279 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal" 1789 &signal
1280}
1281
1282sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1283 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1284
1285 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1286
1287 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1288 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1289 # instead of getting the default action.
1290 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1291} 1790}
1292 1791
1293# default implementation for ->child 1792# default implementation for ->child
1294 1793
1295our %PID_CB; 1794our %PID_CB;
1296our $CHLD_W; 1795our $CHLD_W;
1297our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1796our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1298our $WNOHANG;
1299 1797
1300sub _sigchld { 1798# used by many Impl's
1301 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1799sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1800 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1801
1802 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1302 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1803 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1303 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1804 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1304 }
1305} 1805}
1306 1806
1307sub child { 1807sub child {
1808 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1809 *_sigchld = sub {
1810 my $pid;
1811
1812 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1813 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1814 };
1815
1816 *child = sub {
1308 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1817 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1309 1818
1310 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1819 my $pid = $arg{pid};
1311 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1820 my $cb = $arg{cb};
1312 1821
1313 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1822 $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb+0} = $cb;
1314 1823
1315 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1316
1317 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1824 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1318 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1825 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1319 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1826 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1320 &_sigchld; 1827 &_sigchld;
1321 } 1828 }
1322 1829
1323 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child" 1830 bless [$pid, $cb+0], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1324} 1831 };
1325 1832
1326sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY { 1833 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1327 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1834 my ($pid, $icb) = @{$_[0]};
1328 1835
1329 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1836 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$icb};
1330 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1837 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1331 1838
1332 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1839 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1840 };
1841 };
1842 die if $@;
1843
1844 &child
1333} 1845}
1334 1846
1335# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless 1847# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1336# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting 1848# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1337# the callback use more than 50% of the time. 1849# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1338sub idle { 1850sub idle {
1851 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1852 *idle = sub {
1339 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1853 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1340 1854
1341 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb}; 1855 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1342 1856
1343 $rcb = sub { 1857 $rcb = sub {
1344 if ($cb) { 1858 if ($cb) {
1345 $w = _time; 1859 $w = AE::time;
1346 &$cb; 1860 &$cb;
1347 $w = _time - $w; 1861 $w = AE::time - $w;
1348 1862
1349 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher, 1863 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1350 # within some limits 1864 # within some limits
1351 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001; 1865 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1352 $w = 5 if $w > 5; 1866 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1353 1867
1354 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb); 1868 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1355 } else { 1869 } else {
1356 # clean up... 1870 # clean up...
1357 undef $w; 1871 undef $w;
1358 undef $rcb; 1872 undef $rcb;
1873 }
1874 };
1875
1876 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1877
1878 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1359 } 1879 };
1880
1881 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1882 undef $${$_[0]};
1883 };
1360 }; 1884 };
1885 die if $@;
1361 1886
1362 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb); 1887 &idle
1363
1364 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1365}
1366
1367sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1368 undef $${$_[0]};
1369} 1888}
1370 1889
1371package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1890package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1372 1891
1373our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1892our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1374 1893
1894# only to be used for subclassing
1895sub new {
1896 my $class = shift;
1897 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1898}
1899
1375package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1900package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1376 1901
1377use overload 1902#use overload
1378 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1903# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1379 fallback => 1; 1904# fallback => 1;
1905
1906# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1907${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1908*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1909*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1910${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1911
1912our $WAITING;
1380 1913
1381sub _send { 1914sub _send {
1382 # nop 1915 # nop
1916}
1917
1918sub _wait {
1919 AnyEvent->_poll until $_[0]{_ae_sent};
1383} 1920}
1384 1921
1385sub send { 1922sub send {
1386 my $cv = shift; 1923 my $cv = shift;
1387 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_]; 1924 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1396 1933
1397sub ready { 1934sub ready {
1398 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1935 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1399} 1936}
1400 1937
1401sub _wait {
1402 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1403}
1404
1405sub recv { 1938sub recv {
1939 unless ($_[0]{_ae_sent}) {
1940 $WAITING
1941 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait attempted";
1942
1943 local $WAITING = 1;
1406 $_[0]->_wait; 1944 $_[0]->_wait;
1945 }
1407 1946
1408 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1947 $_[0]{_ae_croak}
1409 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1948 and Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1949
1950 wantarray
1951 ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} }
1952 : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1410} 1953}
1411 1954
1412sub cb { 1955sub cb {
1413 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1956 my $cv = shift;
1957
1958 @_
1959 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1960 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1961 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1962
1414 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1963 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1415} 1964}
1416 1965
1417sub begin { 1966sub begin {
1418 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1967 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1419 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1968 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1424 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } }; 1973 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1425} 1974}
1426 1975
1427# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1976# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1428*broadcast = \&send; 1977*broadcast = \&send;
1429*wait = \&_wait; 1978*wait = \&recv;
1430 1979
1431=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING 1980=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1432 1981
1433In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the 1982In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1434caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also 1983caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1446$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and 1995$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1447so on. 1996so on.
1448 1997
1449=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1998=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1450 1999
1451The following environment variables are used by this module or its 2000AnyEvent supports a number of environment variables that tune the
1452submodules. 2001runtime behaviour. They are usually evaluated when AnyEvent is
2002loaded, initialised, or a submodule that uses them is loaded. Many of
2003them also cause AnyEvent to load additional modules - for example,
2004C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP> causes the L<AnyEvent::Debug> module to be
2005loaded.
1453 2006
1454Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with 2007All the environment variables documented here start with
1455C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is 2008C<PERL_ANYEVENT_>, which is what AnyEvent considers its own
1456enabled. 2009namespace. Other modules are encouraged (but by no means required) to use
2010C<PERL_ANYEVENT_SUBMODULE> if they have registered the AnyEvent::Submodule
2011namespace on CPAN, for any submodule. For example, L<AnyEvent::HTTP> could
2012be expected to use C<PERL_ANYEVENT_HTTP_PROXY> (it should not access env
2013variables starting with C<AE_>, see below).
2014
2015All variables can also be set via the C<AE_> prefix, that is, instead
2016of setting C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> you can also set C<AE_VERBOSE>. In
2017case there is a clash btween anyevent and another program that uses
2018C<AE_something> you can set the corresponding C<PERL_ANYEVENT_something>
2019variable to the empty string, as those variables take precedence.
2020
2021When AnyEvent is first loaded, it copies all C<AE_xxx> env variables
2022to their C<PERL_ANYEVENT_xxx> counterpart unless that variable already
2023exists. If taint mode is on, then AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment
2024variables starting with C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> (or replace them
2025with C<undef> or the empty string, if the corresaponding C<AE_> variable
2026is set).
2027
2028The exact algorithm is currently:
2029
2030 1. if taint mode enabled, delete all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables from %ENV
2031 2. copy over AE_xyz to PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz unless the latter alraedy exists
2032 3. if taint mode enabled, set all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables to undef.
2033
2034This ensures that child processes will not see the C<AE_> variables.
2035
2036The following environment variables are currently known to AnyEvent:
1457 2037
1458=over 4 2038=over 4
1459 2039
1460=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 2040=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1461 2041
1462By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal 2042By default, AnyEvent will only log messages with loglevel C<3>
1463conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more 2043(C<critical>) or higher (see L<AnyEvent::Log>). You can set this
2044environment variable to a numerical loglevel to make AnyEvent more (or
1464talkative. 2045less) talkative.
1465 2046
2047If you want to do more than just set the global logging level
2048you should have a look at C<PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG>, which allows much more
2049complex specifications.
2050
2051When set to C<0> (C<off>), then no messages whatsoever will be logged with
2052the default logging settings.
2053
1466When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected 2054When set to C<5> or higher (C<warn>), causes AnyEvent to warn about
1467conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by 2055unexpected conditions, such as not being able to load the event model
1468C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 2056specified by C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>, or a guard callback throwing an
2057exception - this is the minimum recommended level.
1469 2058
1470When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 2059When set to C<7> or higher (info), cause AnyEvent to report which event model it
1471model it chooses. 2060chooses.
2061
2062When set to C<8> or higher (debug), then AnyEvent will report extra information on
2063which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
2064
2065=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG>
2066
2067Accepts rather complex logging specifications. For example, you could log
2068all C<debug> messages of some module to stderr, warnings and above to
2069stderr, and errors and above to syslog, with:
2070
2071 PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG=Some::Module=debug,+log:filter=warn,+%syslog:%syslog=error,syslog
2072
2073For the rather extensive details, see L<AnyEvent::Log>.
2074
2075This variable is evaluated when AnyEvent (or L<AnyEvent::Log>) is loaded,
2076so will take effect even before AnyEvent has initialised itself.
2077
2078Note that specifying this environment variable causes the L<AnyEvent::Log>
2079module to be loaded, while C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> does not, so only
2080using the latter saves a few hundred kB of memory until the first message
2081is being logged.
1472 2082
1473=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 2083=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1474 2084
1475AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 2085AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1476argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 2086argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1478check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems, 2088check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1479it will croak. 2089it will croak.
1480 2090
1481In other words, enables "strict" mode. 2091In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1482 2092
1483Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in 2093Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1484production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 2094>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1485developing programs can be very useful, however. 2095C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
2096can be very useful, however.
2097
2098=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL>
2099
2100If this env variable is set, then its contents will be interpreted by
2101C<AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport> (after replacing every occurance of
2102C<$$> by the process pid) and an C<AnyEvent::Debug::shell> is bound on
2103that port. The shell object is saved in C<$AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL>.
2104
2105This happens when the first watcher is created.
2106
2107For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in
2108F<< /tmp/debug<pid>.sock >>, you could use this:
2109
2110 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog
2111
2112Note that creating sockets in F</tmp> is very unsafe on multiuser
2113systems.
2114
2115=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP>
2116
2117Can be set to C<0>, C<1> or C<2> and enables wrapping of all watchers for
2118debugging purposes. See C<AnyEvent::Debug::wrap> for details.
1486 2119
1487=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 2120=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1488 2121
1489This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 2122This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1490auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 2123auto detection and -probing kicks in.
1491entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 2124
2125It normally is a string consisting entirely of ASCII letters (e.g. C<EV>
2126or C<IOAsync>). The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended and the
1492and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful, 2127resulting module name is loaded and - if the load was successful - used as
1493used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with 2128event model backend. If it fails to load then AnyEvent will proceed with
1494auto detection and -probing. 2129auto detection and -probing.
1495 2130
1496This functionality might change in future versions. 2131If the string ends with C<::> instead (e.g. C<AnyEvent::Impl::EV::>) then
2132nothing gets prepended and the module name is used as-is (hint: C<::> at
2133the end of a string designates a module name and quotes it appropriately).
1497 2134
1498For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you 2135For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Loop::Perl>) you
1499could start your program like this: 2136could start your program like this:
1500 2137
1501 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 2138 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1502 2139
1503=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS> 2140=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1519but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4> 2156but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1520- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6 2157- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1521addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or 2158addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1522IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4. 2159IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1523 2160
2161=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_HOSTS>
2162
2163This variable, if specified, overrides the F</etc/hosts> file used by
2164L<AnyEvent::Socket>C<::resolve_sockaddr>, i.e. hosts aliases will be read
2165from that file instead.
2166
1524=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0> 2167=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1525 2168
1526Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension 2169Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension for
1527for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but 2170DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, especially
1528some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by 2171when DNSSEC is involved, but some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS
1529default. 2172packets, which is why it is off by default.
1530 2173
1531Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce 2174Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1532EDNS0 in its DNS requests. 2175EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1533 2176
1534=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 2177=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1542resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are 2185resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1543sent to the DNS server. 2186sent to the DNS server.
1544 2187
1545=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF> 2188=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1546 2189
1547The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific 2190The absolute path to a F<resolv.conf>-style file to use instead of
1548configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no 2191F</etc/resolv.conf> (or the OS-specific configuration) in the default
1549default config will be used. 2192resolver, or the empty string to select the default configuration.
1550 2193
1551=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>. 2194=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1552 2195
1553When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during 2196When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1554L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment 2197L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1555variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations 2198variables are nonempty, they will be used to specify CA certificate
1556instead of a system-dependent default. 2199locations instead of a system-dependent default.
2200
2201=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
2202
2203When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
2204loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1557 2205
1558=back 2206=back
1559 2207
1560=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 2208=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1561 2209
1619 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2267 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1620 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2268 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1621 }, 2269 },
1622 ); 2270 );
1623 2271
1624 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1625
1626 sub new_timer {
1627 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2272 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1628 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2273 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1629 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1630 }); 2274 });
1631 }
1632
1633 new_timer; # create first timer
1634 2275
1635 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2276 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1636 2277
1637=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2278=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1638 2279
1711 2352
1712The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2353The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1713that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2354that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1714whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2355whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1715and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2356and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1716problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2357problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1717random callback. 2358random callback.
1718 2359
1719All of this enables the following usage styles: 2360All of this enables the following usage styles:
1720 2361
17211. Blocking: 23621. Blocking:
1769through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2410through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1770timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2411timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1771which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2412which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1772 2413
1773Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2414Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1774distribution. 2415distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2416for the EV and Perl backends only.
1775 2417
1776=head3 Explanation of the columns 2418=head3 Explanation of the columns
1777 2419
1778I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2420I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1779different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2421different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1800watcher. 2442watcher.
1801 2443
1802=head3 Results 2444=head3 Results
1803 2445
1804 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2446 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1805 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2447 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1806 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2448 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1807 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2449 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1808 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2450 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1809 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2451 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1810 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2452 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1811 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll 2453 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1812 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll 2454 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1813 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2455 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1814 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2456 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1815 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2457 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1816 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2458 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1817 2459
1818=head3 Discussion 2460=head3 Discussion
1819 2461
1820The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2462The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1821well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2463well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1833benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2475benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1834EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2476EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1835cycles with POE. 2477cycles with POE.
1836 2478
1837C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2479C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1838maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2480maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2481overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2482slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1839far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2483any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1840natively.
1841 2484
1842The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2485The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1843constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2486constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1844interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2487interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1845adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2488adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1893(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable 2536(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable
1894performance with or without AnyEvent. 2537performance with or without AnyEvent.
1895 2538
1896=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of 2539=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of
1897the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV 2540the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV
1898adds AnyEvent significant overhead. 2541does AnyEvent add significant overhead.
1899 2542
1900=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or 2543=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or
1901reasonable memory usage. 2544reasonable memory usage.
1902 2545
1903=back 2546=back
1919In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2562In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1920(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2563(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1921connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2564connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1922 2565
1923Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2566Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1924distribution. 2567distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2568for the EV and Perl backends only.
1925 2569
1926=head3 Explanation of the columns 2570=head3 Explanation of the columns
1927 2571
1928I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2572I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1929each server has a read and write socket end). 2573each server has a read and write socket end).
1937a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2581a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1938 2582
1939=head3 Results 2583=head3 Results
1940 2584
1941 name sockets create request 2585 name sockets create request
1942 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2586 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1943 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2587 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1944 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll 2588 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1945 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll 2589 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
1946 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2590 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
1947 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2591 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1948 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2592 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1949 2593
1950=head3 Discussion 2594=head3 Discussion
1951 2595
1952This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2596This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1953particular event loop. 2597particular event loop.
2079As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the 2723As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2080hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl 2724hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2081backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE. 2725backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2082 2726
2083And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and 2727And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2084slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a 2728slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2085large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O 2729higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2086in a non-blocking way. 2730it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2087 2731
2088The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and 2732The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2089F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are 2733F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2090part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes. 2734part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2091 2735
2092 2736
2093=head1 SIGNALS 2737=head1 SIGNALS
2094 2738
2095AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2739AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2129 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE'; 2773 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2130 2774
2131$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2775$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2132 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2776 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2133 2777
2778=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2779
2780One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2781its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2782
2783That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2784modules if they are installed.
2785
2786This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2787affect AnyEvent's operation.
2788
2789=over 4
2790
2791=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2792
2793This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2794my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2795signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2796delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2797catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2798C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2799
2800If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2801catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2802will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2803battery life on laptops).
2804
2805This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2806that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2807
2808Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2809and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2810(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2811does nothing for those backends.
2812
2813=item L<EV>
2814
2815This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2816event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2817loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2818the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2819automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2820can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2821C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2822L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2823
2824If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2825then this module will do nothing for you.
2826
2827=item L<Guard>
2828
2829The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2830C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2831lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2832purely used for performance.
2833
2834=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2835
2836One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2837via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2838advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2839
2840=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2841
2842Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2843worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2844the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2845
2846=item L<Time::HiRes>
2847
2848This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2849chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2850pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Loop>) will additionally load it to
2851try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2852
2853=back
2854
2855
2134=head1 FORK 2856=head1 FORK
2135 2857
2136Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2858Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
2137because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2859because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
2138calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2860- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2861are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2862one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2863continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2864what you are doing).
2865
2866This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2867the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2868usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2869is loaded).
2139 2870
2140If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2871If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
2141watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2872watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2873something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2874
2875The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2876is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2877fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2878watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2879parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2880to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2881preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2882to have another binary.
2142 2883
2143 2884
2144=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2885=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
2145 2886
2146AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2887AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
2176pronounced). 2917pronounced).
2177 2918
2178 2919
2179=head1 SEE ALSO 2920=head1 SEE ALSO
2180 2921
2181Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2922Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2182 2923
2183Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2924FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2184L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2925
2926Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util> (misc. grab-bag), L<AnyEvent::Log>
2927(simply logging).
2928
2929Development/Debugging: L<AnyEvent::Strict> (stricter checking),
2930L<AnyEvent::Debug> (interactive shell, watcher tracing).
2931
2932Supported event modules: L<AnyEvent::Loop>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>,
2933L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>,
2934L<Qt>, L<POE>, L<FLTK>.
2185 2935
2186Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2936Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
2187L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2937L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
2188L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2938L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
2189L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>. 2939L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>,
2940L<AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK>.
2190 2941
2191Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2942Non-blocking handles, pipes, stream sockets, TCP clients and
2192servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>. 2943servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2193 2944
2194Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2945Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2195 2946
2196Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, 2947Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
2197L<Coro::Event>,
2198 2948
2199Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, 2949Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2200L<AnyEvent::HTTP>. 2950L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
2201 2951
2202 2952
2203=head1 AUTHOR 2953=head1 AUTHOR
2204 2954

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines