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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - events independent of event loop implementation
4 4
5EV, Event, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported
6event loops.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
20 $w->wait; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->broadcast 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
21 $w->broadcast; # wake up current and all future wait's 37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
39
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Respository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 53
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 55
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 58
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 61
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 62First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 63interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 65the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 66only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
37 69
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 70The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 74model you use.
43 75
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 77actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 78like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 80that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 82
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 85with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 86your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 88event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 89use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 91
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 92In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 93model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enourmous amount of code and strict rules you have to 94modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 95follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 96offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 97technically possible.
66 98
99Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
100of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
101non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
102such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
103platform bugs and differences.
104
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 105Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 106useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 107model, you should I<not> use this module.
70
71 108
72=head1 DESCRIPTION 109=head1 DESCRIPTION
73 110
74L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 111L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This
75allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 112allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module
79The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 116The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
80module. 117module.
81 118
82During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 119During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
83to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 120to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
84following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 121following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
85L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 122L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
86L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 123L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries
87to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 124to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
88adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 125adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can
89be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 126be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be
103starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 140starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
104use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 141use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
105 142
106The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 143The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
107C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 144C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
108explicitly. 145explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
109 146
110=head1 WATCHERS 147=head1 WATCHERS
111 148
112AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 149AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
113stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 150stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
114the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 151the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
115 152
116These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
117creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
118callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
119is in control). 156is in control).
120 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
121To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
122variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
123to it). 166to it).
124 167
125All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
127Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 170Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
128example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 171example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
129 172
130An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 173An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
131 174
132 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 175 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
133 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 176 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
134 undef $w; 177 undef $w;
135 }); 178 });
136 179
137Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 180Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
138my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
139declared. 182declared.
140 183
141=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
142 185
143You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 186You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
144with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 187with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
145 188
146C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 189C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
190for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
191handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
192non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
193most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
194or block devices.
195
147for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 196C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
148which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 197watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
198
149respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 199C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
150becomes ready.
151 200
152Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 201Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
153presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 202presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
154callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 203callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
155 204
159 208
160Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 209Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
161always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 210always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
162handles. 211handles.
163 212
164Example:
165
166 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 213Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
214watcher.
215
167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 216 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
168 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 217 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
169 warn "read: $input\n"; 218 warn "read: $input\n";
170 undef $w; 219 undef $w;
171 }); 220 });
181 230
182Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 231Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
183presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 232presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
184callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 233callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
185 234
186The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 235The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
187timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 236parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
188and Glib). 237callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
238seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
239false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
189 240
190Example: 241The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
242attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
243only approximate.
191 244
192 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 245Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
246
193 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 247 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
194 warn "timeout\n"; 248 warn "timeout\n";
195 }); 249 });
196 250
197 # to cancel the timer: 251 # to cancel the timer:
198 undef $w; 252 undef $w;
199 253
200Example 2:
201
202 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 254Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
203 my $w;
204 255
205 my $cb = sub {
206 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
207 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 256 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
257 warn "timeout\n";
208 }; 258 };
209
210 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
211 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
212 259
213=head3 TIMING ISSUES 260=head3 TIMING ISSUES
214 261
215There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 262There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
216in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 263in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
228timers. 275timers.
229 276
230AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 277AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
231AnyEvent API. 278AnyEvent API.
232 279
280AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
281
282=over 4
283
284=item AnyEvent->time
285
286This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
287seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
288return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
289
290It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
291will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
292
293=item AnyEvent->now
294
295This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
296this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
297the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
298time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
299
300I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
301function to call when you want to know the current time.>
302
303This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
304thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
305L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
306
307The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
308with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
309
310For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
311and L<EV> and the following set-up:
312
313The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
314time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
315you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
316second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
317after three seconds.
318
319With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
320both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
321be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
322
323With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
324time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
325last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
326to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
327
328In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
329regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
330callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
331higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
332
333In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
334the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
335
336In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
337can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
338difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
339account.
340
341=item AnyEvent->now_update
342
343Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
344the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
345AnyEvent->now >>, above).
346
347When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
348this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
349might affect timers and time-outs.
350
351When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
352event loop's idea of "current time".
353
354Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
355
356=back
357
233=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 358=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
234 359
235You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 360You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
236I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 361I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
237be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 362callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
238 363
239Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 364Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
240presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 365presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
241callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 366callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
242 367
243Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 368Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
244invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 369invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
245that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 370that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
246but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 371but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
247 372
248The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 373The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
249between multiple watchers. 374between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
375interrupt your program at bad times.
250 376
251This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 377This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
252directly will likely not work correctly. 378so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
379correctly.
253 380
254Example: exit on SIGINT 381Example: exit on SIGINT
255 382
256 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 383 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
257 384
385=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
386
387Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
388callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
389race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
390in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
391be delayed is specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10
392seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
393watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
394will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
395saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
396L<Async::Interrupt> module. This will not work with inherently broken
397event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib> (and not with L<POE>
398currently, as POE does it's own workaround with one-second latency). With
399those, you just have to suffer the delays.
400
258=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 401=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
259 402
260You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 403You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
261 404
262The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 405The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it
263watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 406watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when
264as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 407the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on
265signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 408any trace events (stopped/continued).
266and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 409
267you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 410The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
411waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
412callback arguments.
413
414This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
415and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
416random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
417C<system>, is just fine).
268 418
269There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 419There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
270I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 420I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
271have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 421have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
272 422
273Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 423Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
424see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
274event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 425that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
275loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 426the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
427pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
428start the watcher.
276 429
277This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 430This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
278AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 431thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
279C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 432watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
433C<AnyEvent::detect>).
434
435As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
436emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
437mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
280 438
281Example: fork a process and wait for it 439Example: fork a process and wait for it
282 440
283 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 441 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
284 442
285 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
286
287 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 443 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
288 444
289 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 445 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
290 pid => $pid, 446 pid => $pid,
291 cb => sub { 447 cb => sub {
292 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 448 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
293 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 449 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
294 $done->broadcast; 450 $done->send;
295 }, 451 },
296 ); 452 );
297 453
298 # do something else, then wait for process exit 454 # do something else, then wait for process exit
299 $done->wait; 455 $done->recv;
456
457=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
458
459Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
460to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
461"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
462attention by the event loop".
463
464Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
465better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
466events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
467
468Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
469EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
470will simply call the callback "from time to time".
471
472Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
473program is otherwise idle:
474
475 my @lines; # read data
476 my $idle_w;
477 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
478 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
479
480 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
481 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
482 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
483 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
484 print "handled when idle: $line";
485 } else {
486 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
487 undef $idle_w;
488 }
489 });
490 });
300 491
301=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 492=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
302 493
494If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
495require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
496will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
497
498AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
499loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
500
501The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
502because they represent a condition that must become true.
503
504Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
505
303Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 506Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
304method without any arguments. 507>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
508C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
509becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
510the results).
305 511
306A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 512After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
307->broadcast >> method has been called. 513by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
514were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
515->send >> method).
308 516
309They are very useful to signal that a condition has been fulfilled, for 517Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
518optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
519in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
520another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
521used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
522a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
523compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
524
525Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
310example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 526for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
311then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 527then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
312availability of results. 528availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
529called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
313 530
314You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 531You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
315an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 532you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
316program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 533could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
317->broadcast >> the "quit" event. 534button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
318 535
319Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 536Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
320two pirces of code that call C<< ->wait >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 537two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
321lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 538lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
322you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 539you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
323as this asks for trouble. 540as this asks for trouble.
324 541
325This object has two methods: 542Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
543used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
544easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
545AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
546it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
326 547
327=over 4 548There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
549eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
550for the send to occur.
328 551
329=item $cv->wait 552Example: wait for a timer.
330
331Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been
332called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally.
333
334You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return
335immediately.
336
337Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
338(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
339using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the
340caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
341condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
342callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
343while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
344
345Another reason I<never> to C<< ->wait >> in a module is that you cannot
346sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require
347multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
348can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and
349L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
350from different coroutines, however).
351
352=item $cv->broadcast
353
354Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further
355calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been
356called. If nobody is waiting the broadcast will be remembered..
357
358=back
359
360Example:
361 553
362 # wait till the result is ready 554 # wait till the result is ready
363 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 555 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
364 556
365 # do something such as adding a timer 557 # do something such as adding a timer
366 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast 558 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send
367 # when the "result" is ready. 559 # when the "result" is ready.
368 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 560 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
369 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 561 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
370 after => 1, 562 after => 1,
371 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast }, 563 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
372 ); 564 );
373 565
374 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher 566 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
375 # calls broadcast 567 # calls -<send
376 $result_ready->wait; 568 $result_ready->recv;
569
570Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
571variables are also callable directly.
572
573 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
574 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
575 $done->recv;
576
577Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
578callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
579the main program:
580
581 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
582
583 ...
584
585 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
586
587And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
588results are available:
589
590 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
591 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
592 });
593
594=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
595
596These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
597code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
598the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
599uncommon for the consumer to create it as well.
600
601=over 4
602
603=item $cv->send (...)
604
605Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
606calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
607called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
608
609If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
610immediately from within send.
611
612Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
613future C<< ->recv >> calls.
614
615Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
616they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
617C<send>.
618
619=item $cv->croak ($error)
620
621Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
622C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
623
624This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
625user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
626delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
627diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
628deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
629the problem.
630
631=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
632
633=item $cv->end
634
635These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
636one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
637to use a condition variable for the whole process.
638
639Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
640C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
641>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
642is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
643callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
644
645You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
646sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
647condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
648
649Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
650STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
651close before activating a condvar:
652
653 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
654
655 $cv->begin; # first watcher
656 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
657 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
658 or $cv->end;
659 });
660
661 $cv->begin; # second watcher
662 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
663 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
664 or $cv->end;
665 });
666
667 $cv->recv;
668
669This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
670one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
671sending.
672
673The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
674there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
675begung can potentially be zero:
676
677 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
678
679 my %result;
680 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
681
682 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
683 $cv->begin;
684 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
685 $result{$host} = ...;
686 $cv->end;
687 };
688 }
689
690 $cv->end;
691
692This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
693C<send> after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
694order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to C<begin> when it starts
695each ping request and calls C<end> when it has received some result for
696it. Since C<begin> and C<end> only maintain a counter, the order in which
697results arrive is not relevant.
698
699There is an additional bracketing call to C<begin> and C<end> outside the
700loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
701to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
702C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
703doesn't execute once).
704
705This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
706potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
707the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
708subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
709call C<end>.
710
711=back
712
713=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
714
715These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
716code awaits the condition.
717
718=over 4
719
720=item $cv->recv
721
722Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
723>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
724normally.
725
726You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
727will return immediately.
728
729If an error condition has been set by calling C<< ->croak >>, then this
730function will call C<croak>.
731
732In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
733in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
734
735Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
736event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
737>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
738condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
739L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
740any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
741
742Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
743(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
744using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
745caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
746condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
747callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
748while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
749
750You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
751only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
752time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
753waits otherwise.
754
755=item $bool = $cv->ready
756
757Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
758C<croak> have been called.
759
760=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
761
762This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
763replaces it before doing so.
764
765The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
766C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
767variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
768is guaranteed not to block.
769
770=back
771
772=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
773
774The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
775
776=over 4
777
778=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
779
780EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
781use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
782that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
783available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
784
785 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
786 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
787 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
788
789=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
790
791These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
792is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
793them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
794when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
795create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
796
797 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
798 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
799 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
800 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
801
802=item Backends with special needs.
803
804Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
805otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
806instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
807everything should just work.
808
809 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
810
811Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
812architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
813is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
814it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
815L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
816
817 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
818
819=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
820
821Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
822
823There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
824
825B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
826use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
827polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
828consider for AnyEvent.
829
830B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
831backend, so it can be supported through POE.
832
833AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
834load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
835in which case everything will be automatic.
836
837=back
377 838
378=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 839=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
379 840
841These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
842write AnyEvent extension modules.
843
380=over 4 844=over 4
381 845
382=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 846=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
383 847
384Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 848Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
849backend has been autodetected.
850
385contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 851Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
386Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 852name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
387C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 853of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
388AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 854case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
389 855will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
390The known classes so far are:
391
392 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
393 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
394 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
395 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
396 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
397 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
398 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
399 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
400 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
401 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
402
403There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
404watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
405POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
406second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
407AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
408it's adaptor.
409
410AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
411autodetecting them.
412 856
413=item AnyEvent::detect 857=item AnyEvent::detect
414 858
415Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 859Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
416if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 860if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
417have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 861have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
418runtime. 862runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
863
864If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
865created, use C<post_detect>.
866
867=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
868
869Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
870autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
871
872The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
873(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
874created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
875other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
876L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
877
878The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
879event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
880and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
881avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
882
883If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
884that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
885L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
886
887=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
888
889If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
890before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
891the event loop has been chosen.
892
893You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
894if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
895array will be ignored.
896
897Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
898it,as it takes care of these details.
899
900This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
901when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
902not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
903into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
419 904
420=back 905=back
421 906
422=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 907=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
423 908
427Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 912Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
428decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 913decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
429by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 914by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
430to load the event module first. 915to load the event module first.
431 916
432Never call C<< ->wait >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that 917Never call C<< ->recv >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that
433the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 918the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
434because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 919because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
435events is to stay interactive. 920events is to stay interactive.
436 921
437It is fine, however, to call C<< ->wait >> when the user of your module 922It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
438requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 923requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
439called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 924called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
440freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 925freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always).
441 926
442=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 927=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
443 928
444There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 929There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
446 931
447If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 932If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
448do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 933do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
449decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 934decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
450 935
451If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 936If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
452Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 937Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
453event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 938event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
454speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 939speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
455modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 940modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
456decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 941decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
457might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 942might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
458 943
459You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 944You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
460loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 945C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
461behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 946everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
947
948=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
949
950Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
951only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
952
953In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
954
955 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
956
957This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
958
959Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
960it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
961variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
962exit cleanly.
963
964
965=head1 OTHER MODULES
966
967The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
968AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
969modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
970come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
971
972=over 4
973
974=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
975
976Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
977functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
978
979=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
980
981Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
982addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
983connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
984
985=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
986
987Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
988supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
989non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
990
991=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
992
993Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
994
995=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
996
997A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
998HTTP requests.
999
1000=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
1001
1002Provides a simple web application server framework.
1003
1004=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
1005
1006The fastest ping in the west.
1007
1008=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1009
1010Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1011
1012=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1013
1014Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1015programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1016together.
1017
1018=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1019
1020Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1021L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1022
1023=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1024
1025A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1026
1027=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1028
1029AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1030
1031=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1032
1033AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1034Net::XMPP2>.
1035
1036=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1037
1038A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1039L<App::IGS>).
1040
1041=item L<Net::FCP>
1042
1043AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
1044of AnyEvent.
1045
1046=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
1047
1048High level API for event-based execution flow control.
1049
1050=item L<Coro>
1051
1052Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
1053
1054=back
462 1055
463=cut 1056=cut
464 1057
465package AnyEvent; 1058package AnyEvent;
466 1059
1060# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1061sub common_sense {
467no warnings; 1062 # no warnings
468use strict; 1063 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
1064 # use strict vars subs
1065 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1066}
469 1067
1068BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1069
470use Carp; 1070use Carp ();
471 1071
472our $VERSION = '3.3'; 1072our $VERSION = 4.85;
473our $MODEL; 1073our $MODEL;
474 1074
475our $AUTOLOAD; 1075our $AUTOLOAD;
476our @ISA; 1076our @ISA;
477 1077
478our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
479
480our @REGISTRY; 1078our @REGISTRY;
481 1079
1080our $WIN32;
1081
1082our $VERBOSE;
1083
1084BEGIN {
1085 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
1086 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
1087
1088 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1089 if ${^TAINT};
1090
1091 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1092
1093}
1094
1095our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1096
1097our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1098
1099{
1100 my $idx;
1101 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1102 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1103 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1104}
1105
482my @models = ( 1106my @models = (
483 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
484 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
485 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1107 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
486 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1108 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
487 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1109 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
1110 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
1111 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1112 # and is usually faster
1113 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1114 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
488 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1115 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1116 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1117 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
489 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1118 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
490 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1119 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
491 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1120 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
492 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1121 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
493 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1122 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1123 # obvious default class.
494 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1124# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
495 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1125# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1126# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
496); 1127);
497 1128
498our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar broadcast wait one_event DESTROY); 1129our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1130 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
1131
1132our @post_detect;
1133
1134sub post_detect(&) {
1135 my ($cb) = @_;
1136
1137 if ($MODEL) {
1138 $cb->();
1139
1140 1
1141 } else {
1142 push @post_detect, $cb;
1143
1144 defined wantarray
1145 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1146 : ()
1147 }
1148}
1149
1150sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1151 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1152}
499 1153
500sub detect() { 1154sub detect() {
501 unless ($MODEL) { 1155 unless ($MODEL) {
502 no strict 'refs'; 1156 local $SIG{__DIE__};
503 1157
504 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1158 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
505 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1159 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
506 if (eval "require $model") { 1160 if (eval "require $model") {
507 $MODEL = $model; 1161 $MODEL = $model;
508 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1162 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
509 } else { 1163 } else {
510 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1164 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
511 } 1165 }
512 } 1166 }
513 1167
514 # check for already loaded models 1168 # check for already loaded models
515 unless ($MODEL) { 1169 unless ($MODEL) {
516 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1170 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
517 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1171 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
518 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1172 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
519 if (eval "require $model") { 1173 if (eval "require $model") {
520 $MODEL = $model; 1174 $MODEL = $model;
521 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1175 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
522 last; 1176 last;
523 } 1177 }
524 } 1178 }
525 } 1179 }
526 1180
531 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1185 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
532 if (eval "require $package" 1186 if (eval "require $package"
533 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1187 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
534 and eval "require $model") { 1188 and eval "require $model") {
535 $MODEL = $model; 1189 $MODEL = $model;
536 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1190 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
537 last; 1191 last;
538 } 1192 }
539 } 1193 }
540 1194
541 $MODEL 1195 $MODEL
542 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV (or Coro+EV), Event (or Coro+Event) or Glib."; 1196 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
543 } 1197 }
544 } 1198 }
545 1199
1200 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1201
546 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1202 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
547 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1203
1204 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1205
1206 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
548 } 1207 }
549 1208
550 $MODEL 1209 $MODEL
551} 1210}
552 1211
553sub AUTOLOAD { 1212sub AUTOLOAD {
554 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1213 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
555 1214
556 $method{$func} 1215 $method{$func}
557 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1216 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
558 1217
559 detect unless $MODEL; 1218 detect unless $MODEL;
560 1219
561 my $class = shift; 1220 my $class = shift;
562 $class->$func (@_); 1221 $class->$func (@_);
563} 1222}
564 1223
1224# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1225# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1226# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1227sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1228 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1229
1230 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1231 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1232
1233 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1234 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1235
1236 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1237
1238 ($fh2, $rw)
1239}
1240
565package AnyEvent::Base; 1241package AnyEvent::Base;
566 1242
1243# default implementations for many methods
1244
1245sub _time {
1246 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1247 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1248 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1249 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1250 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1251 } else {
1252 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1253 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1254 }
1255
1256 &_time
1257}
1258
1259sub time { _time }
1260sub now { _time }
1261sub now_update { }
1262
567# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 1263# default implementation for ->condvar
568 1264
569sub condvar { 1265sub condvar {
570 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 1266 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
571}
572
573sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
574 ${$_[0]}++;
575}
576
577sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
578 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
579} 1267}
580 1268
581# default implementation for ->signal 1269# default implementation for ->signal
582 1270
583our %SIG_CB; 1271our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1272our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1273our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1274our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
584 1275
1276sub _signal_exec {
1277 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1278 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1279 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1280
1281 while (%SIG_EV) {
1282 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1283 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1284 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1285 }
1286 }
1287}
1288
1289# install a dumym wakeupw atcher to reduce signal catching latency
1290sub _sig_add() {
1291 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1292 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1293 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1294
1295 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1296 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1297 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1298 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1299 );
1300 }
1301}
1302
1303sub _sig_del {
1304 undef $SIG_TW
1305 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1306}
1307
585sub signal { 1308sub _signal {
586 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1309 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
587 1310
588 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1311 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
589 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1312 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
590 1313
591 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1314 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1315
1316 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1317 # async::interrupt
1318
1319 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= do {
1320 my $asy = new Async::Interrupt
1321 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1322 signal => $signal,
1323 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1324 ;
1325 $asy->pipe_autodrain (0);
1326
1327 $asy
1328 };
1329
1330 } else {
1331 # pure perl
1332
592 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1333 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
593 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1334 local $!;
1335 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1336 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1337 };
1338
1339 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1340 # so limit the signal latency.
1341 _sig_add;
594 }; 1342 }
595 1343
596 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1344 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
597} 1345}
598 1346
1347sub signal {
1348 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1349 if (!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT} && eval "use Async::Interrupt 0.6 (); 1") {
1350 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1351
1352 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1;
1353 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1354 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1355
1356 } else {
1357 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1358
1359 require Fcntl;
1360
1361 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1362 require AnyEvent::Util;
1363
1364 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1365 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1366 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1367 } else {
1368 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1369 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1370 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1371
1372 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1373 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1374 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1375 }
1376
1377 $SIGPIPE_R
1378 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1379
1380 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1381 }
1382
1383 *signal = \&_signal;
1384 &signal
1385}
1386
599sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1387sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
600 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1388 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
601 1389
1390 _sig_del;
1391
602 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1392 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
603 1393
604 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1394 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1395 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1396 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1397 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1398 # instead of getting the default action.
1399 undef $SIG{$signal}
1400 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
605} 1401}
606 1402
607# default implementation for ->child 1403# default implementation for ->child
608 1404
609our %PID_CB; 1405our %PID_CB;
610our $CHLD_W; 1406our $CHLD_W;
611our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1407our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
612our $PID_IDLE;
613our $WNOHANG; 1408our $WNOHANG;
614 1409
615sub _child_wait { 1410sub _sigchld {
616 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1411 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) {
1412 $_->($pid, $?)
617 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1413 for values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} },
618 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1414 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
619 } 1415 }
620
621 undef $PID_IDLE;
622}
623
624sub _sigchld {
625 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
626 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
627 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
628 &_child_wait;
629 });
630} 1416}
631 1417
632sub child { 1418sub child {
633 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1419 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
634 1420
635 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1421 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
636 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1422 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
637 1423
638 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1424 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
639 1425
640 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1426 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
641 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1427 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
642 } 1428 ? 1
1429 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
643 1430
644 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1431 unless ($CHLD_W) {
645 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1432 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
646 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1433 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
647 &_sigchld; 1434 &_sigchld;
648 } 1435 }
649 1436
650 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1437 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
651} 1438}
652 1439
653sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1440sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
654 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1441 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
655 1442
656 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1443 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
657 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1444 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
658 1445
659 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1446 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
660} 1447}
1448
1449# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1450# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1451# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1452sub idle {
1453 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1454
1455 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1456
1457 $rcb = sub {
1458 if ($cb) {
1459 $w = _time;
1460 &$cb;
1461 $w = _time - $w;
1462
1463 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1464 # within some limits
1465 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1466 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1467
1468 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1469 } else {
1470 # clean up...
1471 undef $w;
1472 undef $rcb;
1473 }
1474 };
1475
1476 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1477
1478 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1479}
1480
1481sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1482 undef $${$_[0]};
1483}
1484
1485package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1486
1487our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1488
1489package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1490
1491#use overload
1492# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1493# fallback => 1;
1494
1495# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1496${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1497*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1498*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1499${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1500
1501our $WAITING;
1502
1503sub _send {
1504 # nop
1505}
1506
1507sub send {
1508 my $cv = shift;
1509 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1510 (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv) if $cv->{_ae_cb};
1511 $cv->_send;
1512}
1513
1514sub croak {
1515 $_[0]{_ae_croak} = $_[1];
1516 $_[0]->send;
1517}
1518
1519sub ready {
1520 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1521}
1522
1523sub _wait {
1524 $WAITING
1525 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1526 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1527
1528 local $WAITING = 1;
1529 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1530}
1531
1532sub recv {
1533 $_[0]->_wait;
1534
1535 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1536 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1537}
1538
1539sub cb {
1540 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1541 $_[0]{_ae_cb}
1542}
1543
1544sub begin {
1545 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1546 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1547}
1548
1549sub end {
1550 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1551 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1552}
1553
1554# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1555*broadcast = \&send;
1556*wait = \&_wait;
1557
1558=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1559
1560In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1561caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1562the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1563checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1564development.
1565
1566As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1567executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1568also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1569program.
1570
1571The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1572within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1573$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1574so on.
1575
1576=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1577
1578The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1579submodules.
1580
1581Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1582C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1583enabled.
1584
1585=over 4
1586
1587=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1588
1589By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1590conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1591talkative.
1592
1593When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1594conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1595C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1596
1597When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1598model it chooses.
1599
1600When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1601which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1602
1603=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1604
1605AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1606argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1607will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1608check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1609it will croak.
1610
1611In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1612
1613Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1614>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1615C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1616can be very useful, however.
1617
1618=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1619
1620This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1621auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1622entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1623and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1624used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1625auto detection and -probing.
1626
1627This functionality might change in future versions.
1628
1629For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1630could start your program like this:
1631
1632 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1633
1634=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1635
1636Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1637for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1638of auto probing).
1639
1640Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1641current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1642used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1643list.
1644
1645This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1646against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1647small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1648
1649Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1650but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1651- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1652addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1653IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1654
1655=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1656
1657Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1658for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1659some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1660default.
1661
1662Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1663EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1664
1665=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1666
1667The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1668will create in parallel.
1669
1670=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1671
1672The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1673resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1674sent to the DNS server.
1675
1676=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1677
1678The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1679configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1680default config will be used.
1681
1682=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1683
1684When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1685L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1686variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1687instead of a system-dependent default.
1688
1689=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1690
1691When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1692loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1693
1694=back
661 1695
662=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1696=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
663 1697
664This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1698This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
665a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1699a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
699 1733
700I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1734I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
701condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1735condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
702C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1736C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
703not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1737not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
704
705=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
706
707The following environment variables are used by this module:
708
709=over 4
710
711=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
712
713By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
714conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
715talkative.
716
717When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
718conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
719C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
720
721When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
722model it chooses.
723
724=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
725
726This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
727autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
728entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
729and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
730used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
731autodetection and -probing.
732
733This functionality might change in future versions.
734
735For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
736could start your program like this:
737
738 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
739
740=back
741 1738
742=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1739=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
743 1740
744The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1741The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
745to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1742to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
754 poll => 'r', 1751 poll => 'r',
755 cb => sub { 1752 cb => sub {
756 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1753 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
757 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1754 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
758 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1755 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
759 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1756 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
760 }, 1757 },
761 ); 1758 );
762 1759
763 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1760 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
764 1761
769 }); 1766 });
770 } 1767 }
771 1768
772 new_timer; # create first timer 1769 new_timer; # create first timer
773 1770
774 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1771 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
775 1772
776=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1773=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
777 1774
778Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1775Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
779API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1776API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
829 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1826 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
830 or die "connection or write error"; 1827 or die "connection or write error";
831 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1828 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
832 1829
833Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1830Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
834result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1831result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
835 1832
836 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1833 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
837 1834
838 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1835 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
839 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1836 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
840 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1837 $txn->{finished}->send;
841 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1838 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
842 } 1839 }
843 1840
844The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1841The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
845request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1842request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
846data: 1843data:
847 1844
848 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1845 $txn->{finished}->recv;
849 return $txn->{result}; 1846 return $txn->{result};
850 1847
851The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1848The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
852that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1849that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
853whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1850whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
854and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1851and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
855problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1852problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
856random callback. 1853random callback.
857 1854
888 1885
889 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1886 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
890 1887
891 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1888 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
892 ... 1889 ...
893 $quit->broadcast; 1890 $quit->send;
894 }); 1891 });
895 1892
896 $quit->wait; 1893 $quit->recv;
897 1894
898 1895
899=head1 BENCHMARKS 1896=head1 BENCHMARKS
900 1897
901To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 1898To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
903of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1900of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
904 1901
905=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1902=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
906 1903
907Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1904Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
908through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1905through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
909timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1906timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
910which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1907which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
911 1908
912Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1909Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
913distribution. 1910distribution.
930all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1927all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
931and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1928and memory usage is not included in the figures.
932 1929
933I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1930I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
934callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 1931callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
935invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1932invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
936signal the end of this phase. 1933signal the end of this phase.
937 1934
938I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 1935I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
939watcher. 1936watcher.
940 1937
941=head3 Results 1938=head3 Results
942 1939
943 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1940 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
944 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1941 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
945 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1942 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
946 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1943 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
947 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 1944 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
948 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 1945 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
949 Event/Any 16000 936 39.17 33.63 1.43 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1946 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1947 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1948 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
950 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 1949 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
951 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1950 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
952 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 1951 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
953 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 1952 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
954 1953
955=head3 Discussion 1954=head3 Discussion
956 1955
957The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 1956The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
958well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1957well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
959can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of 1958can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of
960file descriptors grows high. In this benchmark, all events become ready at 1959file descriptors grows high. In this benchmark, all events become ready at
961the same time, so select/poll-based implementations get an unnatural speed 1960the same time, so select/poll-based implementations get an unnatural speed
962boost. 1961boost.
963 1962
1963Also, note that the number of watchers usually has a nonlinear effect on
1964overall speed, that is, creating twice as many watchers doesn't take twice
1965the time - usually it takes longer. This puts event loops tested with a
1966higher number of watchers at a disadvantage.
1967
1968To put the range of results into perspective, consider that on the
1969benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1970EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1971cycles with POE.
1972
964C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 1973C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
965maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 1974maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses
966far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 1975far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event
967natively. 1976natively.
968 1977
973performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 1982performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
974them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 1983them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
975 1984
976The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 1985The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
977cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 1986cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
1987
1988C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
1989when using its pure perl backend.
978 1990
979C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 1991C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
980faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 1992faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
981C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 1993C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
982watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 1994watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
990file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup() 2002file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup()
991employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a 2003employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a
992hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures 2004hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures
993above). 2005above).
994 2006
995C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure 2007C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure perl
996perl select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend 2008select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend couldn't
997couldn't be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance 2009be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance and
998and memory usage: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory as 2010memory usage with AnyEvent: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory
999EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory 2011as EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory
1000requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher 2012requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher
1001invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl 2013invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl
2014implementation.
2015
1002implementation. The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not 2016The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not really account
1003really account for this, as session creation overhead is small compared 2017for the performance issues, though, as session creation overhead is
1004to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty optimally within 2018small compared to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty
1005L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. POE simply seems to be abysmally slow. 2019optimally within L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE> (and while everybody agrees that
2020using multiple sessions is not a good approach, especially regarding
2021memory usage, even the author of POE could not come up with a faster
2022design).
1006 2023
1007=head3 Summary 2024=head3 Summary
1008 2025
1009=over 4 2026=over 4
1010 2027
1021 2038
1022=back 2039=back
1023 2040
1024=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 2041=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1025 2042
1026This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 2043This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1027creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 2044creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1028timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 2045timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1029watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 2046watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1030watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 2047watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1031 2048
1032The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 2049The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1033are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 2050are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1034fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 2051fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1035timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 2052timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1036most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 2053most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1037 2054
1038In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2055In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1039(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2056(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1040connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2057connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1041 2058
1042Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2059Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1043distribution. 2060distribution.
1044 2061
1045=head3 Explanation of the columns 2062=head3 Explanation of the columns
1046 2063
1047I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2064I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1048eahc server has a read and write socket end). 2065each server has a read and write socket end).
1049 2066
1050I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 2067I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1051nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 2068nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1052 2069
1053I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 2070I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1054single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 2071single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1055it to another server. This includes deleteing the old timeout and creating 2072it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1056a new one with a later timeout. 2073a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1057 2074
1058=head3 Results 2075=head3 Results
1059 2076
1060 name sockets create request 2077 name sockets create request
1061 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2078 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1062 Perl 20000 75.28 112.76 2079 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2080 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2081 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1063 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2082 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1064 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2083 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1065 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2084 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1066 2085
1067=head3 Discussion 2086=head3 Discussion
1068 2087
1069This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2088This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1070particular event loop. 2089particular event loop.
1072EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2091EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1073is relatively high, though. 2092is relatively high, though.
1074 2093
1075Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2094Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1076loops Event and Glib. 2095loops Event and Glib.
2096
2097IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2098good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1077 2099
1078Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2100Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1079understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2101understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1080the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2102the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1081uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2103uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1089 2111
1090=head3 Summary 2112=head3 Summary
1091 2113
1092=over 4 2114=over 4
1093 2115
1094=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well, considering 2116=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well.
1095that it uses select.
1096 2117
1097=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters. 2118=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters.
1098 2119
1099=back 2120=back
1100 2121
1113 2134
1114=head3 Results 2135=head3 Results
1115 2136
1116 name sockets create request 2137 name sockets create request
1117 EV 16 20.00 6.54 2138 EV 16 20.00 6.54
2139 Perl 16 25.75 12.62
1118 Event 16 81.27 35.86 2140 Event 16 81.27 35.86
1119 Glib 16 32.63 15.48 2141 Glib 16 32.63 15.48
1120 Perl 16 24.62 162.37
1121 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event 2142 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event
1122 2143
1123=head3 Discussion 2144=head3 Discussion
1124 2145
1125The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small 2146The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small
1126server. While knowing how various event loops perform is interesting, keep 2147server. While knowing how various event loops perform is interesting, keep
1127in mind that their overhead in this case is usually not as important, due 2148in mind that their overhead in this case is usually not as important, due
1128to the small absolute number of watchers. 2149to the small absolute number of watchers (that is, you need efficiency and
2150speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
2151them).
1129 2152
1130EV is again fastest. 2153EV is again fastest.
1131 2154
1132The C-based event loops Event and Glib come in second this time, as the 2155Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1133overhead of running an iteration is much smaller in C than in Perl (little 2156loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1134code to execute in the inner loop, and perl's function calling overhead is 2157matter.
1135high, and updating all the data structures is costly).
1136 2158
1137The pure perl event loop is much slower, but still competitive.
1138
1139POE also performs much better in this case, but is is stillf ar behind the 2159POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1140others. 2160others.
1141 2161
1142=head3 Summary 2162=head3 Summary
1143 2163
1144=over 4 2164=over 4
1146=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2166=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1147watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2167watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1148 2168
1149=back 2169=back
1150 2170
2171=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2172
2173Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2174could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2175simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2176shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2177fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2178very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2179baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2180
2181The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2182connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2183creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2184test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2185benchmark nevertheless.
2186
2187 name runtime
2188 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2189 + optimized 0.122 sec
2190 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2191 + optimized 0.138 sec
2192 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2193 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2194 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2195 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2196
2197 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2198 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2199 +state machine 0.134 sec
2200
2201The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2202benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2203defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2204written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2205AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2206resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2207generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2208connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2209
2210The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2211offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2212Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2213non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2214
2215As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2216hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2217backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2218
2219And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2220slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2221large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2222in a non-blocking way.
2223
2224The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2225F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2226part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2227
2228
2229=head1 SIGNALS
2230
2231AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2232
2233=over 4
2234
2235=item SIGCHLD
2236
2237A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2238emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2239event loops install a similar handler.
2240
2241Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2242AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2243
2244=item SIGPIPE
2245
2246A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2247when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2248
2249The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2250on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2251badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2252program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2253some random socket.
2254
2255The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2256that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2257
2258Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2259
2260=back
2261
2262=cut
2263
2264undef $SIG{CHLD}
2265 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2266
2267$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2268 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2269
2270=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2271
2272One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2273it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2274
2275That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2276modules if they are installed.
2277
2278This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2279affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2280
2281=over 4
2282
2283=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2284
2285This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2286my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2287signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2288delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2289catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2290C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2291
2292If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2293catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2294will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2295battery life on laptops).
2296
2297This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2298that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2299
2300Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2301and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2302(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2303does nothing for those backends.
2304
2305=item L<EV>
2306
2307This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2308event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2309loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2310the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2311automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2312can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2313C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2314L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2315
2316=item L<Guard>
2317
2318The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2319C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2320lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2321purely used for performance.
2322
2323=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2324
2325This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2326L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2327advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2328
2329In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2330installed.
2331
2332=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2333
2334Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2335worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2336the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2337
2338=item L<Time::HiRes>
2339
2340This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2341chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2342pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2343try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2344
2345=back
2346
1151 2347
1152=head1 FORK 2348=head1 FORK
1153 2349
1154Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2350Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1155because they are so inefficient. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2351because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
2352calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1156 2353
1157If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2354If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1158watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2355watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2356something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1159 2357
1160 2358
1161=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2359=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1162 2360
1163AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2361AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1168specified in the variable. 2366specified in the variable.
1169 2367
1170You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2368You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1171before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2369before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1172 2370
1173 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2371 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1174 2372
1175 use AnyEvent; 2373 use AnyEvent;
2374
2375Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
2376be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
2377probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2378$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2379
2380Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2381C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2382enabled.
2383
2384
2385=head1 BUGS
2386
2387Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2388to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2389and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2390memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2391pronounced).
1176 2392
1177 2393
1178=head1 SEE ALSO 2394=head1 SEE ALSO
1179 2395
1180Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 2396Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1181L<Coro::Event>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Coro>, L<Tk>, 2397
2398Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1182L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2399L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1183 2400
1184Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 2401Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1185L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 2402L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1186L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 2403L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1187L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2404L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>.
1188 2405
2406Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2407servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2408
2409Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2410
2411Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2412L<Coro::Event>,
2413
1189Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 2414Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2415L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1190 2416
1191 2417
1192=head1 AUTHOR 2418=head1 AUTHOR
1193 2419
1194 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2420 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1195 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2421 http://home.schmorp.de/
1196 2422
1197=cut 2423=cut
1198 2424
11991 24251
1200 2426

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