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Revision 1.26 by root, Thu Oct 4 12:50:35 2007 UTC

3 3
4SYNOPSIS 4SYNOPSIS
5 use IO::AIO; 5 use IO::AIO;
6 6
7 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub { 7 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
8 my ($fh) = @_; 8 my $fh = shift
9 or die "/etc/passwd: $!";
9 ... 10 ...
10 }; 11 };
11 12
12 aio_unlink "/tmp/file", sub { }; 13 aio_unlink "/tmp/file", sub { };
13 14
14 aio_read $fh, 30000, 1024, $buffer, 0, sub { 15 aio_read $fh, 30000, 1024, $buffer, 0, sub {
15 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!"; 16 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!";
16 }; 17 };
17 18
18 # AnyEvent 19 # version 2+ has request and group objects
20 use IO::AIO 2;
21
22 aioreq_pri 4; # give next request a very high priority
23 my $req = aio_unlink "/tmp/file", sub { };
24 $req->cancel; # cancel request if still in queue
25
26 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "all stats done\n" };
27 add $grp aio_stat "..." for ...;
28
29 # AnyEvent integration
19 open my $fh, "<&=" . IO::AIO::poll_fileno or die "$!"; 30 open my $fh, "<&=" . IO::AIO::poll_fileno or die "$!";
20 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => 'r', cb => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb }); 31 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => 'r', cb => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb });
21 32
22 # Event 33 # Event integration
23 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 34 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
24 poll => 'r', 35 poll => 'r',
25 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 36 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
26 37
27 # Glib/Gtk2 38 # Glib/Gtk2 integration
28 add_watch Glib::IO IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 39 add_watch Glib::IO IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
29 in => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb; 1 }; 40 in => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb; 1 };
30 41
31 # Tk 42 # Tk integration
32 Tk::Event::IO->fileevent (IO::AIO::poll_fileno, "", 43 Tk::Event::IO->fileevent (IO::AIO::poll_fileno, "",
33 readable => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 44 readable => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
34 45
35 # Danga::Socket 46 # Danga::Socket integration
36 Danga::Socket->AddOtherFds (IO::AIO::poll_fileno => 47 Danga::Socket->AddOtherFds (IO::AIO::poll_fileno =>
37 \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 48 \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
38 49
39DESCRIPTION 50DESCRIPTION
40 This module implements asynchronous I/O using whatever means your 51 This module implements asynchronous I/O using whatever means your
41 operating system supports. 52 operating system supports.
42 53
54 Asynchronous means that operations that can normally block your program
55 (e.g. reading from disk) will be done asynchronously: the operation will
56 still block, but you can do something else in the meantime. This is
57 extremely useful for programs that need to stay interactive even when
58 doing heavy I/O (GUI programs, high performance network servers etc.),
59 but can also be used to easily do operations in parallel that are
60 normally done sequentially, e.g. stat'ing many files, which is much
61 faster on a RAID volume or over NFS when you do a number of stat
62 operations concurrently.
63
64 While most of this works on all types of file descriptors (for example
65 sockets), using these functions on file descriptors that support
66 nonblocking operation (again, sockets, pipes etc.) is very inefficient.
67 Use an event loop for that (such as the Event module): IO::AIO will
68 naturally fit into such an event loop itself.
69
43 Currently, a number of threads are started that execute your read/writes 70 In this version, a number of threads are started that execute your
44 and signal their completion. You don't need thread support in your libc 71 requests and signal their completion. You don't need thread support in
45 or perl, and the threads created by this module will not be visible to 72 perl, and the threads created by this module will not be visible to
46 the pthreads library. In the future, this module might make use of the 73 perl. In the future, this module might make use of the native aio
47 native aio functions available on many operating systems. However, they 74 functions available on many operating systems. However, they are often
48 are often not well-supported (Linux doesn't allow them on normal files 75 not well-supported or restricted (GNU/Linux doesn't allow them on normal
49 currently, for example), and they would only support aio_read and 76 files currently, for example), and they would only support aio_read and
50 aio_write, so the remaining functionality would have to be implemented 77 aio_write, so the remaining functionality would have to be implemented
51 using threads anyway. 78 using threads anyway.
52 79
53 Although the module will work with in the presence of other threads, it 80 Although the module will work in the presence of other (Perl-) threads,
54 is currently not reentrant, so use appropriate locking yourself, always 81 it is currently not reentrant in any way, so use appropriate locking
55 call "poll_cb" from within the same thread, or never call "poll_cb" (or 82 yourself, always call "poll_cb" from within the same thread, or never
56 other "aio_" functions) recursively. 83 call "poll_cb" (or other "aio_" functions) recursively.
84
85 EXAMPLE
86 This is a simple example that uses the Event module and loads
87 /etc/passwd asynchronously:
88
89 use Fcntl;
90 use Event;
91 use IO::AIO;
92
93 # register the IO::AIO callback with Event
94 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
95 poll => 'r',
96 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
97
98 # queue the request to open /etc/passwd
99 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
100 my $fh = shift
101 or die "error while opening: $!";
102
103 # stat'ing filehandles is generally non-blocking
104 my $size = -s $fh;
105
106 # queue a request to read the file
107 my $contents;
108 aio_read $fh, 0, $size, $contents, 0, sub {
109 $_[0] == $size
110 or die "short read: $!";
111
112 close $fh;
113
114 # file contents now in $contents
115 print $contents;
116
117 # exit event loop and program
118 Event::unloop;
119 };
120 };
121
122 # possibly queue up other requests, or open GUI windows,
123 # check for sockets etc. etc.
124
125 # process events as long as there are some:
126 Event::loop;
127
128REQUEST ANATOMY AND LIFETIME
129 Every "aio_*" function creates a request. which is a C data structure
130 not directly visible to Perl.
131
132 If called in non-void context, every request function returns a Perl
133 object representing the request. In void context, nothing is returned,
134 which saves a bit of memory.
135
136 The perl object is a fairly standard ref-to-hash object. The hash
137 contents are not used by IO::AIO so you are free to store anything you
138 like in it.
139
140 During their existance, aio requests travel through the following
141 states, in order:
142
143 ready
144 Immediately after a request is created it is put into the ready
145 state, waiting for a thread to execute it.
146
147 execute
148 A thread has accepted the request for processing and is currently
149 executing it (e.g. blocking in read).
150
151 pending
152 The request has been executed and is waiting for result processing.
153
154 While request submission and execution is fully asynchronous, result
155 processing is not and relies on the perl interpreter calling
156 "poll_cb" (or another function with the same effect).
157
158 result
159 The request results are processed synchronously by "poll_cb".
160
161 The "poll_cb" function will process all outstanding aio requests by
162 calling their callbacks, freeing memory associated with them and
163 managing any groups they are contained in.
164
165 done
166 Request has reached the end of its lifetime and holds no resources
167 anymore (except possibly for the Perl object, but its connection to
168 the actual aio request is severed and calling its methods will
169 either do nothing or result in a runtime error).
57 170
58FUNCTIONS 171FUNCTIONS
59 AIO FUNCTIONS 172 AIO REQUEST FUNCTIONS
60 All the "aio_*" calls are more or less thin wrappers around the syscall 173 All the "aio_*" calls are more or less thin wrappers around the syscall
61 with the same name (sans "aio_"). The arguments are similar or 174 with the same name (sans "aio_"). The arguments are similar or
62 identical, and they all accept an additional (and optional) $callback 175 identical, and they all accept an additional (and optional) $callback
63 argument which must be a code reference. This code reference will get 176 argument which must be a code reference. This code reference will get
64 called with the syscall return code (e.g. most syscalls return -1 on 177 called with the syscall return code (e.g. most syscalls return -1 on
66 argument when the given syscall has been executed asynchronously. 179 argument when the given syscall has been executed asynchronously.
67 180
68 All functions expecting a filehandle keep a copy of the filehandle 181 All functions expecting a filehandle keep a copy of the filehandle
69 internally until the request has finished. 182 internally until the request has finished.
70 183
184 All functions return request objects of type IO::AIO::REQ that allow
185 further manipulation of those requests while they are in-flight.
186
71 The pathnames you pass to these routines *must* be absolute and encoded 187 The pathnames you pass to these routines *must* be absolute and encoded
72 in byte form. The reason for the former is that at the time the request 188 as octets. The reason for the former is that at the time the request is
73 is being executed, the current working directory could have changed. 189 being executed, the current working directory could have changed.
74 Alternatively, you can make sure that you never change the current 190 Alternatively, you can make sure that you never change the current
75 working directory. 191 working directory anywhere in the program and then use relative paths.
76 192
77 To encode pathnames to byte form, either make sure you either: a) always 193 To encode pathnames as octets, either make sure you either: a) always
78 pass in filenames you got from outside (command line, readdir etc.), b) 194 pass in filenames you got from outside (command line, readdir etc.)
79 are ASCII or ISO 8859-1, c) use the Encode module and encode your 195 without tinkering, b) are ASCII or ISO 8859-1, c) use the Encode module
80 pathnames to the locale (or other) encoding in effect in the user 196 and encode your pathnames to the locale (or other) encoding in effect in
81 environment, d) use Glib::filename_from_unicode on unicode filenames or 197 the user environment, d) use Glib::filename_from_unicode on unicode
82 e) use something else. 198 filenames or e) use something else to ensure your scalar has the correct
199 contents.
200
201 This works, btw. independent of the internal UTF-8 bit, which IO::AIO
202 handles correctly wether it is set or not.
203
204 $prev_pri = aioreq_pri [$pri]
205 Returns the priority value that would be used for the next request
206 and, if $pri is given, sets the priority for the next aio request.
207
208 The default priority is 0, the minimum and maximum priorities are -4
209 and 4, respectively. Requests with higher priority will be serviced
210 first.
211
212 The priority will be reset to 0 after each call to one of the
213 "aio_*" functions.
214
215 Example: open a file with low priority, then read something from it
216 with higher priority so the read request is serviced before other
217 low priority open requests (potentially spamming the cache):
218
219 aioreq_pri -3;
220 aio_open ..., sub {
221 return unless $_[0];
222
223 aioreq_pri -2;
224 aio_read $_[0], ..., sub {
225 ...
226 };
227 };
228
229 aioreq_nice $pri_adjust
230 Similar to "aioreq_pri", but subtracts the given value from the
231 current priority, so the effect is cumulative.
83 232
84 aio_open $pathname, $flags, $mode, $callback->($fh) 233 aio_open $pathname, $flags, $mode, $callback->($fh)
85 Asynchronously open or create a file and call the callback with a 234 Asynchronously open or create a file and call the callback with a
86 newly created filehandle for the file. 235 newly created filehandle for the file.
87 236
92 They are the same as used by "sysopen". 241 They are the same as used by "sysopen".
93 242
94 Likewise, $mode specifies the mode of the newly created file, if it 243 Likewise, $mode specifies the mode of the newly created file, if it
95 didn't exist and "O_CREAT" has been given, just like perl's 244 didn't exist and "O_CREAT" has been given, just like perl's
96 "sysopen", except that it is mandatory (i.e. use 0 if you don't 245 "sysopen", except that it is mandatory (i.e. use 0 if you don't
97 create new files, and 0666 or 0777 if you do). 246 create new files, and 0666 or 0777 if you do). Note that the $mode
247 will be modified by the umask in effect then the request is being
248 executed, so better never change the umask.
98 249
99 Example: 250 Example:
100 251
101 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub { 252 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
102 if ($_[0]) { 253 if ($_[0]) {
107 } 258 }
108 }; 259 };
109 260
110 aio_close $fh, $callback->($status) 261 aio_close $fh, $callback->($status)
111 Asynchronously close a file and call the callback with the result 262 Asynchronously close a file and call the callback with the result
112 code. *WARNING:* although accepted, you should not pass in a perl 263 code.
113 filehandle here, as perl will likely close the file descriptor
114 another time when the filehandle is destroyed. Normally, you can
115 safely call perls "close" or just let filehandles go out of scope.
116 264
117 This is supposed to be a bug in the API, so that might change. It's 265 Unlike the other functions operating on files, this function uses
118 therefore best to avoid this function. 266 the PerlIO layer to close the filehandle. The reason is that the
267 PerlIO API insists on closing the underlying fd itself, no matter
268 what, and doesn't allow modifications to the fd. Unfortunately, it
269 is not clear that you can call PerlIO from different threads
270 (actually, its quite clear that this won't work in some cases), so
271 while it likely works perfectly with simple file handles (such as
272 the ones created by "aio_open") it might fail in interesting ways
273 for others.
274
275 Having said that, aio_close tries to clean up the filehandle as much
276 as possible before handing it to an io thread, and generally does
277 work.
119 278
120 aio_read $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval) 279 aio_read $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval)
121 aio_write $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval) 280 aio_write $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval)
122 Reads or writes "length" bytes from the specified "fh" and "offset" 281 Reads or writes $length bytes from the specified $fh and $offset
123 into the scalar given by "data" and offset "dataoffset" and calls 282 into the scalar given by $data and offset $dataoffset and calls the
124 the callback without the actual number of bytes read (or -1 on 283 callback without the actual number of bytes read (or -1 on error,
125 error, just like the syscall). 284 just like the syscall).
285
286 If $offset is undefined, then the current file descriptor offset
287 will be used (and updated), otherwise the file descriptor offset
288 will not be changed by these calls.
289
290 If $length is undefined in "aio_write", use the remaining length of
291 $data.
292
293 If $dataoffset is less than zero, it will be counted from the end of
294 $data.
126 295
127 The $data scalar *MUST NOT* be modified in any way while the request 296 The $data scalar *MUST NOT* be modified in any way while the request
128 is outstanding. Modifying it can result in segfaults or WW3 (if the 297 is outstanding. Modifying it can result in segfaults or World War
129 necessary/optional hardware is installed). 298 III (if the necessary/optional hardware is installed).
130 299
131 Example: Read 15 bytes at offset 7 into scalar $buffer, starting at 300 Example: Read 15 bytes at offset 7 into scalar $buffer, starting at
132 offset 0 within the scalar: 301 offset 0 within the scalar:
133 302
134 aio_read $fh, 7, 15, $buffer, 0, sub { 303 aio_read $fh, 7, 15, $buffer, 0, sub {
192 aio_stat "/etc/passwd", sub { 361 aio_stat "/etc/passwd", sub {
193 $_[0] and die "stat failed: $!"; 362 $_[0] and die "stat failed: $!";
194 print "size is ", -s _, "\n"; 363 print "size is ", -s _, "\n";
195 }; 364 };
196 365
366 aio_utime $fh_or_path, $atime, $mtime, $callback->($status)
367 Works like perl's "utime" function (including the special case of
368 $atime and $mtime being undef). Fractional times are supported if
369 the underlying syscalls support them.
370
371 When called with a pathname, uses utimes(2) if available, otherwise
372 utime(2). If called on a file descriptor, uses futimes(2) if
373 available, otherwise returns ENOSYS, so this is not portable.
374
375 Examples:
376
377 # set atime and mtime to current time (basically touch(1)):
378 aio_utime "path", undef, undef;
379 # set atime to current time and mtime to beginning of the epoch:
380 aio_utime "path", time, undef; # undef==0
381
382 aio_chown $fh_or_path, $uid, $gid, $callback->($status)
383 Works like perl's "chown" function, except that "undef" for either
384 $uid or $gid is being interpreted as "do not change" (but -1 can
385 also be used).
386
387 Examples:
388
389 # same as "chown root path" in the shell:
390 aio_chown "path", 0, -1;
391 # same as above:
392 aio_chown "path", 0, undef;
393
394 aio_truncate $fh_or_path, $offset, $callback->($status)
395 Works like truncate(2) or ftruncate(2).
396
397 aio_chmod $fh_or_path, $mode, $callback->($status)
398 Works like perl's "chmod" function.
399
197 aio_unlink $pathname, $callback->($status) 400 aio_unlink $pathname, $callback->($status)
198 Asynchronously unlink (delete) a file and call the callback with the 401 Asynchronously unlink (delete) a file and call the callback with the
199 result code. 402 result code.
403
404 aio_mknod $path, $mode, $dev, $callback->($status)
405 [EXPERIMENTAL]
406
407 Asynchronously create a device node (or fifo). See mknod(2).
408
409 The only (POSIX-) portable way of calling this function is:
410
411 aio_mknod $path, IO::AIO::S_IFIFO | $mode, 0, sub { ...
412
413 aio_link $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
414 Asynchronously create a new link to the existing object at $srcpath
415 at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the result code.
416
417 aio_symlink $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
418 Asynchronously create a new symbolic link to the existing object at
419 $srcpath at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the result
420 code.
421
422 aio_readlink $path, $callback->($link)
423 Asynchronously read the symlink specified by $path and pass it to
424 the callback. If an error occurs, nothing or undef gets passed to
425 the callback.
426
427 aio_rename $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
428 Asynchronously rename the object at $srcpath to $dstpath, just as
429 rename(2) and call the callback with the result code.
430
431 aio_mkdir $pathname, $mode, $callback->($status)
432 Asynchronously mkdir (create) a directory and call the callback with
433 the result code. $mode will be modified by the umask at the time the
434 request is executed, so do not change your umask.
200 435
201 aio_rmdir $pathname, $callback->($status) 436 aio_rmdir $pathname, $callback->($status)
202 Asynchronously rmdir (delete) a directory and call the callback with 437 Asynchronously rmdir (delete) a directory and call the callback with
203 the result code. 438 the result code.
204 439
208 will not be sorted, and will NOT include the "." and ".." entries. 443 will not be sorted, and will NOT include the "." and ".." entries.
209 444
210 The callback a single argument which is either "undef" or an 445 The callback a single argument which is either "undef" or an
211 array-ref with the filenames. 446 array-ref with the filenames.
212 447
448 aio_load $path, $data, $callback->($status)
449 This is a composite request that tries to fully load the given file
450 into memory. Status is the same as with aio_read.
451
452 aio_copy $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
453 Try to copy the *file* (directories not supported as either source
454 or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the callback with
455 the 0 (error) or -1 ok.
456
457 This is a composite request that it creates the destination file
458 with mode 0200 and copies the contents of the source file into it
459 using "aio_sendfile", followed by restoring atime, mtime, access
460 mode and uid/gid, in that order.
461
462 If an error occurs, the partial destination file will be unlinked,
463 if possible, except when setting atime, mtime, access mode and
464 uid/gid, where errors are being ignored.
465
466 aio_move $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
467 Try to move the *file* (directories not supported as either source
468 or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the callback with
469 the 0 (error) or -1 ok.
470
471 This is a composite request that tries to rename(2) the file first.
472 If rename files with "EXDEV", it copies the file with "aio_copy"
473 and, if that is successful, unlinking the $srcpath.
474
213 aio_scandir $path, $maxreq, $callback->($dirs, $nondirs) 475 aio_scandir $path, $maxreq, $callback->($dirs, $nondirs)
214 Scans a directory (similar to "aio_readdir") and tries to separate 476 Scans a directory (similar to "aio_readdir") but additionally tries
215 the entries of directory $path into two sets of names, ones you can 477 to efficiently separate the entries of directory $path into two sets
216 recurse into (directories), and ones you cannot recurse into 478 of names, directories you can recurse into (directories), and ones
217 (everything else). 479 you cannot recurse into (everything else, including symlinks to
480 directories).
218 481
219 "aio_scandir" is a composite request that consists of many 482 "aio_scandir" is a composite request that creates of many sub
220 aio-primitives. $maxreq specifies the maximum number of outstanding 483 requests_ $maxreq specifies the maximum number of outstanding aio
221 aio requests that this function generates. If it is "<= 0", then a 484 requests that this function generates. If it is "<= 0", then a
222 suitable default will be chosen (currently 8). 485 suitable default will be chosen (currently 4).
223 486
224 On error, the callback is called without arguments, otherwise it 487 On error, the callback is called without arguments, otherwise it
225 receives two array-refs with path-relative entry names. 488 receives two array-refs with path-relative entry names.
226 489
227 Example: 490 Example:
236 499
237 The "aio_readdir" cannot be avoided, but "stat()"'ing every entry 500 The "aio_readdir" cannot be avoided, but "stat()"'ing every entry
238 can. 501 can.
239 502
240 After reading the directory, the modification time, size etc. of the 503 After reading the directory, the modification time, size etc. of the
241 directory before and after the readdir is checked, and if they 504 directory before and after the readdir is checked, and if they match
242 match, the link count will be used to decide how many entries are 505 (and isn't the current time), the link count will be used to decide
243 directories (if >= 2). Otherwise, no knowledge of the number of 506 how many entries are directories (if >= 2). Otherwise, no knowledge
244 subdirectories will be assumed. 507 of the number of subdirectories will be assumed.
245 508
246 Then entires will be sorted into likely directories (everything 509 Then entries will be sorted into likely directories (everything
247 without a non-initial dot) and likely non-directories (everything 510 without a non-initial dot currently) and likely non-directories
248 else). Then every entry + "/." will be "stat"'ed, likely directories 511 (everything else). Then every entry plus an appended "/." will be
249 first. This is often faster because filesystems might detect the 512 "stat"'ed, likely directories first. If that succeeds, it assumes
250 type of the entry without reading the inode data (e.g. ext2s
251 filetype feature). If that succeeds, it assumes that the entry is a
252 directory or a symlink to directory (which will be checked 513 that the entry is a directory or a symlink to directory (which will
253 seperately). 514 be checked seperately). This is often faster than stat'ing the entry
515 itself because filesystems might detect the type of the entry
516 without reading the inode data (e.g. ext2fs filetype feature).
254 517
255 If the known number of directories has been reached, the rest of the 518 If the known number of directories (link count - 2) has been
256 entries is assumed to be non-directories. 519 reached, the rest of the entries is assumed to be non-directories.
520
521 This only works with certainty on POSIX (= UNIX) filesystems, which
522 fortunately are the vast majority of filesystems around.
523
524 It will also likely work on non-POSIX filesystems with reduced
525 efficiency as those tend to return 0 or 1 as link counts, which
526 disables the directory counting heuristic.
527
528 aio_rmtree $path, $callback->($status)
529 Delete a directory tree starting (and including) $path, return the
530 status of the final "rmdir" only. This is a composite request that
531 uses "aio_scandir" to recurse into and rmdir directories, and unlink
532 everything else.
257 533
258 aio_fsync $fh, $callback->($status) 534 aio_fsync $fh, $callback->($status)
259 Asynchronously call fsync on the given filehandle and call the 535 Asynchronously call fsync on the given filehandle and call the
260 callback with the fsync result code. 536 callback with the fsync result code.
261 537
264 callback with the fdatasync result code. 540 callback with the fdatasync result code.
265 541
266 If this call isn't available because your OS lacks it or it couldn't 542 If this call isn't available because your OS lacks it or it couldn't
267 be detected, it will be emulated by calling "fsync" instead. 543 be detected, it will be emulated by calling "fsync" instead.
268 544
545 aio_group $callback->(...)
546 This is a very special aio request: Instead of doing something, it
547 is a container for other aio requests, which is useful if you want
548 to bundle many requests into a single, composite, request with a
549 definite callback and the ability to cancel the whole request with
550 its subrequests.
551
552 Returns an object of class IO::AIO::GRP. See its documentation below
553 for more info.
554
555 Example:
556
557 my $grp = aio_group sub {
558 print "all stats done\n";
559 };
560
561 add $grp
562 (aio_stat ...),
563 (aio_stat ...),
564 ...;
565
566 aio_nop $callback->()
567 This is a special request - it does nothing in itself and is only
568 used for side effects, such as when you want to add a dummy request
569 to a group so that finishing the requests in the group depends on
570 executing the given code.
571
572 While this request does nothing, it still goes through the execution
573 phase and still requires a worker thread. Thus, the callback will
574 not be executed immediately but only after other requests in the
575 queue have entered their execution phase. This can be used to
576 measure request latency.
577
578 IO::AIO::aio_busy $fractional_seconds, $callback->() *NOT EXPORTED*
579 Mainly used for debugging and benchmarking, this aio request puts
580 one of the request workers to sleep for the given time.
581
582 While it is theoretically handy to have simple I/O scheduling
583 requests like sleep and file handle readable/writable, the overhead
584 this creates is immense (it blocks a thread for a long time) so do
585 not use this function except to put your application under
586 artificial I/O pressure.
587
588 IO::AIO::REQ CLASS
589 All non-aggregate "aio_*" functions return an object of this class when
590 called in non-void context.
591
592 cancel $req
593 Cancels the request, if possible. Has the effect of skipping
594 execution when entering the execute state and skipping calling the
595 callback when entering the the result state, but will leave the
596 request otherwise untouched. That means that requests that currently
597 execute will not be stopped and resources held by the request will
598 not be freed prematurely.
599
600 cb $req $callback->(...)
601 Replace (or simply set) the callback registered to the request.
602
603 IO::AIO::GRP CLASS
604 This class is a subclass of IO::AIO::REQ, so all its methods apply to
605 objects of this class, too.
606
607 A IO::AIO::GRP object is a special request that can contain multiple
608 other aio requests.
609
610 You create one by calling the "aio_group" constructing function with a
611 callback that will be called when all contained requests have entered
612 the "done" state:
613
614 my $grp = aio_group sub {
615 print "all requests are done\n";
616 };
617
618 You add requests by calling the "add" method with one or more
619 "IO::AIO::REQ" objects:
620
621 $grp->add (aio_unlink "...");
622
623 add $grp aio_stat "...", sub {
624 $_[0] or return $grp->result ("error");
625
626 # add another request dynamically, if first succeeded
627 add $grp aio_open "...", sub {
628 $grp->result ("ok");
629 };
630 };
631
632 This makes it very easy to create composite requests (see the source of
633 "aio_move" for an application) that work and feel like simple requests.
634
635 * The IO::AIO::GRP objects will be cleaned up during calls to
636 "IO::AIO::poll_cb", just like any other request.
637 * They can be canceled like any other request. Canceling will cancel not
638 only the request itself, but also all requests it contains.
639 * They can also can also be added to other IO::AIO::GRP objects.
640 * You must not add requests to a group from within the group callback
641 (or any later time).
642
643 Their lifetime, simplified, looks like this: when they are empty, they
644 will finish very quickly. If they contain only requests that are in the
645 "done" state, they will also finish. Otherwise they will continue to
646 exist.
647
648 That means after creating a group you have some time to add requests.
649 And in the callbacks of those requests, you can add further requests to
650 the group. And only when all those requests have finished will the the
651 group itself finish.
652
653 add $grp ...
654 $grp->add (...)
655 Add one or more requests to the group. Any type of IO::AIO::REQ can
656 be added, including other groups, as long as you do not create
657 circular dependencies.
658
659 Returns all its arguments.
660
661 $grp->cancel_subs
662 Cancel all subrequests and clears any feeder, but not the group
663 request itself. Useful when you queued a lot of events but got a
664 result early.
665
666 $grp->result (...)
667 Set the result value(s) that will be passed to the group callback
668 when all subrequests have finished and set thre groups errno to the
669 current value of errno (just like calling "errno" without an error
670 number). By default, no argument will be passed and errno is zero.
671
672 $grp->errno ([$errno])
673 Sets the group errno value to $errno, or the current value of errno
674 when the argument is missing.
675
676 Every aio request has an associated errno value that is restored
677 when the callback is invoked. This method lets you change this value
678 from its default (0).
679
680 Calling "result" will also set errno, so make sure you either set $!
681 before the call to "result", or call c<errno> after it.
682
683 feed $grp $callback->($grp)
684 Sets a feeder/generator on this group: every group can have an
685 attached generator that generates requests if idle. The idea behind
686 this is that, although you could just queue as many requests as you
687 want in a group, this might starve other requests for a potentially
688 long time. For example, "aio_scandir" might generate hundreds of
689 thousands "aio_stat" requests, delaying any later requests for a
690 long time.
691
692 To avoid this, and allow incremental generation of requests, you can
693 instead a group and set a feeder on it that generates those
694 requests. The feed callback will be called whenever there are few
695 enough (see "limit", below) requests active in the group itself and
696 is expected to queue more requests.
697
698 The feed callback can queue as many requests as it likes (i.e. "add"
699 does not impose any limits).
700
701 If the feed does not queue more requests when called, it will be
702 automatically removed from the group.
703
704 If the feed limit is 0, it will be set to 2 automatically.
705
706 Example:
707
708 # stat all files in @files, but only ever use four aio requests concurrently:
709
710 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "finished\n" };
711 limit $grp 4;
712 feed $grp sub {
713 my $file = pop @files
714 or return;
715
716 add $grp aio_stat $file, sub { ... };
717 };
718
719 limit $grp $num
720 Sets the feeder limit for the group: The feeder will be called
721 whenever the group contains less than this many requests.
722
723 Setting the limit to 0 will pause the feeding process.
724
269 SUPPORT FUNCTIONS 725 SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
726 EVENT PROCESSING AND EVENT LOOP INTEGRATION
270 $fileno = IO::AIO::poll_fileno 727 $fileno = IO::AIO::poll_fileno
271 Return the *request result pipe file descriptor*. This filehandle 728 Return the *request result pipe file descriptor*. This filehandle
272 must be polled for reading by some mechanism outside this module 729 must be polled for reading by some mechanism outside this module
273 (e.g. Event or select, see below or the SYNOPSIS). If the pipe 730 (e.g. Event or select, see below or the SYNOPSIS). If the pipe
274 becomes readable you have to call "poll_cb" to check the results. 731 becomes readable you have to call "poll_cb" to check the results.
275 732
276 See "poll_cb" for an example. 733 See "poll_cb" for an example.
277 734
278 IO::AIO::poll_cb 735 IO::AIO::poll_cb
279 Process all outstanding events on the result pipe. You have to call 736 Process some outstanding events on the result pipe. You have to call
280 this regularly. Returns the number of events processed. Returns 737 this regularly. Returns the number of events processed. Returns
281 immediately when no events are outstanding. 738 immediately when no events are outstanding. The amount of events
739 processed depends on the settings of "IO::AIO::max_poll_req" and
740 "IO::AIO::max_poll_time".
741
742 If not all requests were processed for whatever reason, the
743 filehandle will still be ready when "poll_cb" returns.
282 744
283 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls 745 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls
284 IO::AIO::poll_cb with high priority: 746 IO::AIO::poll_cb with high priority:
285 747
286 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 748 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
287 poll => 'r', async => 1, 749 poll => 'r', async => 1,
288 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 750 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
289 751
752 IO::AIO::max_poll_reqs $nreqs
753 IO::AIO::max_poll_time $seconds
754 These set the maximum number of requests (default 0, meaning
755 infinity) that are being processed by "IO::AIO::poll_cb" in one
756 call, respectively the maximum amount of time (default 0, meaning
757 infinity) spent in "IO::AIO::poll_cb" to process requests (more
758 correctly the mininum amount of time "poll_cb" is allowed to use).
759
760 Setting "max_poll_time" to a non-zero value creates an overhead of
761 one syscall per request processed, which is not normally a problem
762 unless your callbacks are really really fast or your OS is really
763 really slow (I am not mentioning Solaris here). Using
764 "max_poll_reqs" incurs no overhead.
765
766 Setting these is useful if you want to ensure some level of
767 interactiveness when perl is not fast enough to process all requests
768 in time.
769
770 For interactive programs, values such as 0.01 to 0.1 should be fine.
771
772 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls
773 IO::AIO::poll_cb with low priority, to ensure that other parts of
774 the program get the CPU sometimes even under high AIO load.
775
776 # try not to spend much more than 0.1s in poll_cb
777 IO::AIO::max_poll_time 0.1;
778
779 # use a low priority so other tasks have priority
780 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
781 poll => 'r', nice => 1,
782 cb => &IO::AIO::poll_cb);
783
290 IO::AIO::poll_wait 784 IO::AIO::poll_wait
785 If there are any outstanding requests and none of them in the result
291 Wait till the result filehandle becomes ready for reading (simply 786 phase, wait till the result filehandle becomes ready for reading
292 does a "select" on the filehandle. This is useful if you want to 787 (simply does a "select" on the filehandle. This is useful if you
293 synchronously wait for some requests to finish). 788 want to synchronously wait for some requests to finish).
294 789
295 See "nreqs" for an example. 790 See "nreqs" for an example.
296 791
792 IO::AIO::poll
793 Waits until some requests have been handled.
794
795 Returns the number of requests processed, but is otherwise strictly
796 equivalent to:
797
798 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
799
297 IO::AIO::nreqs 800 IO::AIO::flush
298 Returns the number of requests currently outstanding (i.e. for which 801 Wait till all outstanding AIO requests have been handled.
299 their callback has not been invoked yet).
300 802
301 Example: wait till there are no outstanding requests anymore: 803 Strictly equivalent to:
302 804
303 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 805 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
304 while IO::AIO::nreqs; 806 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
305 807
306 IO::AIO::flush 808 CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF THREADS
307 Wait till all outstanding AIO requests have been handled.
308
309 Strictly equivalent to:
310
311 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
312 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
313
314 IO::AIO::poll
315 Waits until some requests have been handled.
316
317 Strictly equivalent to:
318
319 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
320 if IO::AIO::nreqs;
321
322 IO::AIO::min_parallel $nthreads 809 IO::AIO::min_parallel $nthreads
323 Set the minimum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. The current 810 Set the minimum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. The current
324 default is 4, which means four asynchronous operations can be done 811 default is 8, which means eight asynchronous operations can execute
325 at one time (the number of outstanding operations, however, is 812 concurrently at any one time (the number of outstanding requests,
326 unlimited). 813 however, is unlimited).
327 814
328 IO::AIO starts threads only on demand, when an AIO request is queued 815 IO::AIO starts threads only on demand, when an AIO request is queued
329 and no free thread exists. 816 and no free thread exists. Please note that queueing up a hundred
817 requests can create demand for a hundred threads, even if it turns
818 out that everything is in the cache and could have been processed
819 faster by a single thread.
330 820
331 It is recommended to keep the number of threads low, as some Linux 821 It is recommended to keep the number of threads relatively low, as
332 kernel versions will scale negatively with the number of threads 822 some Linux kernel versions will scale negatively with the number of
333 (higher parallelity => MUCH higher latency). With current Linux 2.6 823 threads (higher parallelity => MUCH higher latency). With current
334 versions, 4-32 threads should be fine. 824 Linux 2.6 versions, 4-32 threads should be fine.
335 825
336 Under most circumstances you don't need to call this function, as 826 Under most circumstances you don't need to call this function, as
337 the module selects a default that is suitable for low to moderate 827 the module selects a default that is suitable for low to moderate
338 load. 828 load.
339 829
349 ensure that all threads are killed and that there are no outstanding 839 ensure that all threads are killed and that there are no outstanding
350 requests. 840 requests.
351 841
352 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function. 842 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function.
353 843
844 IO::AIO::max_idle $nthreads
845 Limit the number of threads (default: 4) that are allowed to idle
846 (i.e., threads that did not get a request to process within 10
847 seconds). That means if a thread becomes idle while $nthreads other
848 threads are also idle, it will free its resources and exit.
849
850 This is useful when you allow a large number of threads (e.g. 100 or
851 1000) to allow for extremely high load situations, but want to free
852 resources under normal circumstances (1000 threads can easily
853 consume 30MB of RAM).
854
855 The default is probably ok in most situations, especially if thread
856 creation is fast. If thread creation is very slow on your system you
857 might want to use larger values.
858
354 $oldnreqs = IO::AIO::max_outstanding $nreqs 859 $oldmaxreqs = IO::AIO::max_outstanding $maxreqs
860 This is a very bad function to use in interactive programs because
861 it blocks, and a bad way to reduce concurrency because it is
862 inexact: Better use an "aio_group" together with a feed callback.
863
355 Sets the maximum number of outstanding requests to $nreqs. If you 864 Sets the maximum number of outstanding requests to $nreqs. If you do
356 try to queue up more than this number of requests, the caller will 865 queue up more than this number of requests, the next call to the
357 block until some requests have been handled. 866 "poll_cb" (and "poll_some" and other functions calling "poll_cb")
867 function will block until the limit is no longer exceeded.
358 868
359 The default is very large, so normally there is no practical limit. 869 The default value is very large, so there is no practical limit on
360 If you queue up many requests in a loop it often improves speed if 870 the number of outstanding requests.
361 you set this to a relatively low number, such as 100.
362 871
363 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function. 872 You can still queue as many requests as you want. Therefore,
873 "max_oustsanding" is mainly useful in simple scripts (with low
874 values) or as a stop gap to shield against fatal memory overflow
875 (with large values).
876
877 STATISTICAL INFORMATION
878 IO::AIO::nreqs
879 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready, execute or
880 pending states (i.e. for which their callback has not been invoked
881 yet).
882
883 Example: wait till there are no outstanding requests anymore:
884
885 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
886 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
887
888 IO::AIO::nready
889 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready state (not yet
890 executed).
891
892 IO::AIO::npending
893 Returns the number of requests currently in the pending state
894 (executed, but not yet processed by poll_cb).
364 895
365 FORK BEHAVIOUR 896 FORK BEHAVIOUR
897 This module should do "the right thing" when the process using it forks:
898
366 Before the fork, IO::AIO enters a quiescent state where no requests can 899 Before the fork, IO::AIO enters a quiescent state where no requests can
367 be added in other threads and no results will be processed. After the 900 be added in other threads and no results will be processed. After the
368 fork the parent simply leaves the quiescent state and continues 901 fork the parent simply leaves the quiescent state and continues
369 request/result processing, while the child clears the request/result 902 request/result processing, while the child frees the request/result
370 queue (so the requests started before the fork will only be handled in 903 queue (so that the requests started before the fork will only be handled
371 the parent). Threats will be started on demand until the limit ste in 904 in the parent). Threads will be started on demand until the limit set in
372 the parent process has been reached again. 905 the parent process has been reached again.
373 906
907 In short: the parent will, after a short pause, continue as if fork had
908 not been called, while the child will act as if IO::AIO has not been
909 used yet.
910
911 MEMORY USAGE
912 Per-request usage:
913
914 Each aio request uses - depending on your architecture - around 100-200
915 bytes of memory. In addition, stat requests need a stat buffer (possibly
916 a few hundred bytes), readdir requires a result buffer and so on. Perl
917 scalars and other data passed into aio requests will also be locked and
918 will consume memory till the request has entered the done state.
919
920 This is not awfully much, so queuing lots of requests is not usually a
921 problem.
922
923 Per-thread usage:
924
925 In the execution phase, some aio requests require more memory for
926 temporary buffers, and each thread requires a stack and other data
927 structures (usually around 16k-128k, depending on the OS).
928
929KNOWN BUGS
930 Known bugs will be fixed in the next release.
931
374SEE ALSO 932SEE ALSO
375 Coro, Linux::AIO. 933 Coro::AIO.
376 934
377AUTHOR 935AUTHOR
378 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 936 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
379 http://home.schmorp.de/ 937 http://home.schmorp.de/
380 938

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