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Revision 1.16 by root, Wed Mar 1 23:56:55 2006 UTC vs.
Revision 1.18 by root, Thu Oct 26 16:28:33 2006 UTC

13 13
14 aio_read $fh, 30000, 1024, $buffer, 0, sub { 14 aio_read $fh, 30000, 1024, $buffer, 0, sub {
15 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!"; 15 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!";
16 }; 16 };
17 17
18 # AnyEvent 18 # version 2+ has request and group objects
19 use IO::AIO 2;
20
21 aioreq_pri 4; # give next request a very high priority
22 my $req = aio_unlink "/tmp/file", sub { };
23 $req->cancel; # cancel request if still in queue
24
25 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "all stats done\n" };
26 add $grp aio_stat "..." for ...;
27
28 # AnyEvent integration
19 open my $fh, "<&=" . IO::AIO::poll_fileno or die "$!"; 29 open my $fh, "<&=" . IO::AIO::poll_fileno or die "$!";
20 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => 'r', cb => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb }); 30 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => 'r', cb => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb });
21 31
22 # Event 32 # Event integration
23 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 33 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
24 poll => 'r', 34 poll => 'r',
25 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 35 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
26 36
27 # Glib/Gtk2 37 # Glib/Gtk2 integration
28 add_watch Glib::IO IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 38 add_watch Glib::IO IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
29 in => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb; 1 }; 39 in => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb; 1 };
30 40
31 # Tk 41 # Tk integration
32 Tk::Event::IO->fileevent (IO::AIO::poll_fileno, "", 42 Tk::Event::IO->fileevent (IO::AIO::poll_fileno, "",
33 readable => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 43 readable => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
34 44
35 # Danga::Socket 45 # Danga::Socket integration
36 Danga::Socket->AddOtherFds (IO::AIO::poll_fileno => 46 Danga::Socket->AddOtherFds (IO::AIO::poll_fileno =>
37 \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 47 \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
38 48
39DESCRIPTION 49DESCRIPTION
40 This module implements asynchronous I/O using whatever means your 50 This module implements asynchronous I/O using whatever means your
41 operating system supports. 51 operating system supports.
42 52
43 Currently, a number of threads are started that execute your read/writes 53 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 54 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 55 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 56 perl. In the future, this module might make use of the native aio
47 native aio functions available on many operating systems. However, they 57 functions available on many operating systems. However, they are often
48 are often not well-supported (Linux doesn't allow them on normal files 58 not well-supported or restricted (Linux doesn't allow them on normal
49 currently, for example), and they would only support aio_read and 59 files currently, for example), and they would only support aio_read and
50 aio_write, so the remaining functionality would have to be implemented 60 aio_write, so the remaining functionality would have to be implemented
51 using threads anyway. 61 using threads anyway.
52 62
53 Although the module will work with in the presence of other threads, it 63 Although the module will work with in the presence of other (Perl-)
54 is currently not reentrant, so use appropriate locking yourself, always 64 threads, it is currently not reentrant in any way, so use appropriate
55 call "poll_cb" from within the same thread, or never call "poll_cb" (or 65 locking yourself, always call "poll_cb" from within the same thread, or
56 other "aio_" functions) recursively. 66 never call "poll_cb" (or other "aio_" functions) recursively.
67
68REQUEST ANATOMY AND LIFETIME
69 Every "aio_*" function creates a request. which is a C data structure
70 not directly visible to Perl.
71
72 If called in non-void context, every request function returns a Perl
73 object representing the request. In void context, nothing is returned,
74 which saves a bit of memory.
75
76 The perl object is a fairly standard ref-to-hash object. The hash
77 contents are not used by IO::AIO so you are free to store anything you
78 like in it.
79
80 During their existance, aio requests travel through the following
81 states, in order:
82
83 ready
84 Immediately after a request is created it is put into the ready
85 state, waiting for a thread to execute it.
86
87 execute
88 A thread has accepted the request for processing and is currently
89 executing it (e.g. blocking in read).
90
91 pending
92 The request has been executed and is waiting for result processing.
93
94 While request submission and execution is fully asynchronous, result
95 processing is not and relies on the perl interpreter calling
96 "poll_cb" (or another function with the same effect).
97
98 result
99 The request results are processed synchronously by "poll_cb".
100
101 The "poll_cb" function will process all outstanding aio requests by
102 calling their callbacks, freeing memory associated with them and
103 managing any groups they are contained in.
104
105 done
106 Request has reached the end of its lifetime and holds no resources
107 anymore (except possibly for the Perl object, but its connection to
108 the actual aio request is severed and calling its methods will
109 either do nothing or result in a runtime error).
57 110
58FUNCTIONS 111FUNCTIONS
59 AIO FUNCTIONS 112 AIO FUNCTIONS
60 All the "aio_*" calls are more or less thin wrappers around the syscall 113 All the "aio_*" calls are more or less thin wrappers around the
61 with the same name (sans "aio_"). The arguments are similar or 114 syscall with the same name (sans "aio_"). The arguments are similar
62 identical, and they all accept an additional (and optional) $callback 115 or identical, and they all accept an additional (and optional)
63 argument which must be a code reference. This code reference will get 116 $callback argument which must be a code reference. This code
64 called with the syscall return code (e.g. most syscalls return -1 on 117 reference will get called with the syscall return code (e.g. most
65 error, unlike perl, which usually delivers "false") as it's sole 118 syscalls return -1 on error, unlike perl, which usually delivers
66 argument when the given syscall has been executed asynchronously. 119 "false") as it's sole argument when the given syscall has been
120 executed asynchronously.
67 121
68 All functions expecting a filehandle keep a copy of the filehandle 122 All functions expecting a filehandle keep a copy of the filehandle
69 internally until the request has finished. 123 internally until the request has finished.
70 124
125 All requests return objects of type IO::AIO::REQ that allow further
126 manipulation of those requests while they are in-flight.
127
71 The pathnames you pass to these routines *must* be absolute and encoded 128 The pathnames you pass to these routines *must* be absolute and
72 in byte form. The reason for the former is that at the time the request 129 encoded in byte form. The reason for the former is that at the time
73 is being executed, the current working directory could have changed. 130 the request is being executed, the current working directory could
74 Alternatively, you can make sure that you never change the current 131 have changed. Alternatively, you can make sure that you never change
75 working directory. 132 the current working directory.
76 133
77 To encode pathnames to byte form, either make sure you either: a) always 134 To encode pathnames to byte form, either make sure you either: a)
78 pass in filenames you got from outside (command line, readdir etc.), b) 135 always pass in filenames you got from outside (command line, readdir
79 are ASCII or ISO 8859-1, c) use the Encode module and encode your 136 etc.), b) are ASCII or ISO 8859-1, c) use the Encode module and
80 pathnames to the locale (or other) encoding in effect in the user 137 encode your pathnames to the locale (or other) encoding in effect in
81 environment, d) use Glib::filename_from_unicode on unicode filenames or 138 the user environment, d) use Glib::filename_from_unicode on unicode
82 e) use something else. 139 filenames or e) use something else.
83 140
141 $prev_pri = aioreq_pri [$pri]
142 Returns the priority value that would be used for the next
143 request and, if $pri is given, sets the priority for the next
144 aio request.
145
146 The default priority is 0, the minimum and maximum priorities
147 are -4 and 4, respectively. Requests with higher priority will
148 be serviced first.
149
150 The priority will be reset to 0 after each call to one of the
151 "aio_*" functions.
152
153 Example: open a file with low priority, then read something from
154 it with higher priority so the read request is serviced before
155 other low priority open requests (potentially spamming the
156 cache):
157
158 aioreq_pri -3;
159 aio_open ..., sub {
160 return unless $_[0];
161
162 aioreq_pri -2;
163 aio_read $_[0], ..., sub {
164 ...
165 };
166 };
167
168 aioreq_nice $pri_adjust
169 Similar to "aioreq_pri", but subtracts the given value from the
170 current priority, so effects are cumulative.
171
84 aio_open $pathname, $flags, $mode, $callback->($fh) 172 aio_open $pathname, $flags, $mode, $callback->($fh)
85 Asynchronously open or create a file and call the callback with a 173 Asynchronously open or create a file and call the callback with
86 newly created filehandle for the file. 174 a newly created filehandle for the file.
87 175
88 The pathname passed to "aio_open" must be absolute. See API NOTES, 176 The pathname passed to "aio_open" must be absolute. See API
89 above, for an explanation. 177 NOTES, above, for an explanation.
90 178
91 The $flags argument is a bitmask. See the "Fcntl" module for a list. 179 The $flags argument is a bitmask. See the "Fcntl" module for a
92 They are the same as used by "sysopen". 180 list. They are the same as used by "sysopen".
93 181
94 Likewise, $mode specifies the mode of the newly created file, if it 182 Likewise, $mode specifies the mode of the newly created file, if
95 didn't exist and "O_CREAT" has been given, just like perl's 183 it didn't exist and "O_CREAT" has been given, just like perl's
96 "sysopen", except that it is mandatory (i.e. use 0 if you don't 184 "sysopen", except that it is mandatory (i.e. use 0 if you don't
97 create new files, and 0666 or 0777 if you do). 185 create new files, and 0666 or 0777 if you do).
98 186
99 Example: 187 Example:
100 188
101 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub { 189 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
102 if ($_[0]) { 190 if ($_[0]) {
103 print "open successful, fh is $_[0]\n"; 191 print "open successful, fh is $_[0]\n";
104 ... 192 ...
105 } else { 193 } else {
106 die "open failed: $!\n"; 194 die "open failed: $!\n";
195 }
107 } 196 };
197
198 aio_close $fh, $callback->($status)
199 Asynchronously close a file and call the callback with the
200 result code. *WARNING:* although accepted, you should not pass
201 in a perl filehandle here, as perl will likely close the file
202 descriptor another time when the filehandle is destroyed.
203 Normally, you can safely call perls "close" or just let
204 filehandles go out of scope.
205
206 This is supposed to be a bug in the API, so that might change.
207 It's therefore best to avoid this function.
208
209 aio_read $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset,
210 $callback->($retval)
211 aio_write $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset,
212 $callback->($retval)
213 Reads or writes "length" bytes from the specified "fh" and
214 "offset" into the scalar given by "data" and offset "dataoffset"
215 and calls the callback without the actual number of bytes read
216 (or -1 on error, just like the syscall).
217
218 The $data scalar *MUST NOT* be modified in any way while the
219 request is outstanding. Modifying it can result in segfaults or
220 WW3 (if the necessary/optional hardware is installed).
221
222 Example: Read 15 bytes at offset 7 into scalar $buffer, starting
223 at offset 0 within the scalar:
224
225 aio_read $fh, 7, 15, $buffer, 0, sub {
226 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!";
227 print "read $_[0] bytes: <$buffer>\n";
228 };
229
230 aio_move $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
231 Try to move the *file* (directories not supported as either
232 source or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the
233 callback with the 0 (error) or -1 ok.
234
235 This is a composite request that tries to rename(2) the file
236 first. If rename files with "EXDEV", it creates the destination
237 file with mode 0200 and copies the contents of the source file
238 into it using "aio_sendfile", followed by restoring atime,
239 mtime, access mode and uid/gid, in that order, and unlinking the
240 $srcpath.
241
242 If an error occurs, the partial destination file will be
243 unlinked, if possible, except when setting atime, mtime, access
244 mode and uid/gid, where errors are being ignored.
245
246 aio_sendfile $out_fh, $in_fh, $in_offset, $length,
247 $callback->($retval)
248 Tries to copy $length bytes from $in_fh to $out_fh. It starts
249 reading at byte offset $in_offset, and starts writing at the
250 current file offset of $out_fh. Because of that, it is not safe
251 to issue more than one "aio_sendfile" per $out_fh, as they will
252 interfere with each other.
253
254 This call tries to make use of a native "sendfile" syscall to
255 provide zero-copy operation. For this to work, $out_fh should
256 refer to a socket, and $in_fh should refer to mmap'able file.
257
258 If the native sendfile call fails or is not implemented, it will
259 be emulated, so you can call "aio_sendfile" on any type of
260 filehandle regardless of the limitations of the operating
261 system.
262
263 Please note, however, that "aio_sendfile" can read more bytes
264 from $in_fh than are written, and there is no way to find out
265 how many bytes have been read from "aio_sendfile" alone, as
266 "aio_sendfile" only provides the number of bytes written to
267 $out_fh. Only if the result value equals $length one can assume
268 that $length bytes have been read.
269
270 aio_readahead $fh,$offset,$length, $callback->($retval)
271 "aio_readahead" populates the page cache with data from a file
272 so that subsequent reads from that file will not block on disk
273 I/O. The $offset argument specifies the starting point from
274 which data is to be read and $length specifies the number of
275 bytes to be read. I/O is performed in whole pages, so that
276 offset is effectively rounded down to a page boundary and bytes
277 are read up to the next page boundary greater than or equal to
278 (off-set+length). "aio_readahead" does not read beyond the end
279 of the file. The current file offset of the file is left
280 unchanged.
281
282 If that syscall doesn't exist (likely if your OS isn't Linux) it
283 will be emulated by simply reading the data, which would have a
284 similar effect.
285
286 aio_stat $fh_or_path, $callback->($status)
287 aio_lstat $fh, $callback->($status)
288 Works like perl's "stat" or "lstat" in void context. The
289 callback will be called after the stat and the results will be
290 available using "stat _" or "-s _" etc...
291
292 The pathname passed to "aio_stat" must be absolute. See API
293 NOTES, above, for an explanation.
294
295 Currently, the stats are always 64-bit-stats, i.e. instead of
296 returning an error when stat'ing a large file, the results will
297 be silently truncated unless perl itself is compiled with large
298 file support.
299
300 Example: Print the length of /etc/passwd:
301
302 aio_stat "/etc/passwd", sub {
303 $_[0] and die "stat failed: $!";
304 print "size is ", -s _, "\n";
305 };
306
307 aio_unlink $pathname, $callback->($status)
308 Asynchronously unlink (delete) a file and call the callback with
309 the result code.
310
311 aio_link $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
312 Asynchronously create a new link to the existing object at
313 $srcpath at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the
314 result code.
315
316 aio_symlink $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
317 Asynchronously create a new symbolic link to the existing object
318 at $srcpath at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the
319 result code.
320
321 aio_rename $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
322 Asynchronously rename the object at $srcpath to $dstpath, just
323 as rename(2) and call the callback with the result code.
324
325 aio_rmdir $pathname, $callback->($status)
326 Asynchronously rmdir (delete) a directory and call the callback
327 with the result code.
328
329 aio_readdir $pathname, $callback->($entries)
330 Unlike the POSIX call of the same name, "aio_readdir" reads an
331 entire directory (i.e. opendir + readdir + closedir). The
332 entries will not be sorted, and will NOT include the "." and
333 ".." entries.
334
335 The callback a single argument which is either "undef" or an
336 array-ref with the filenames.
337
338 aio_scandir $path, $maxreq, $callback->($dirs, $nondirs)
339 Scans a directory (similar to "aio_readdir") but additionally
340 tries to efficiently separate the entries of directory $path
341 into two sets of names, directories you can recurse into
342 (directories), and ones you cannot recurse into (everything
343 else, including symlinks to directories).
344
345 "aio_scandir" is a composite request that creates of many sub
346 requests_ $maxreq specifies the maximum number of outstanding
347 aio requests that this function generates. If it is "<= 0", then
348 a suitable default will be chosen (currently 6).
349
350 On error, the callback is called without arguments, otherwise it
351 receives two array-refs with path-relative entry names.
352
353 Example:
354
355 aio_scandir $dir, 0, sub {
356 my ($dirs, $nondirs) = @_;
357 print "real directories: @$dirs\n";
358 print "everything else: @$nondirs\n";
359 };
360
361 Implementation notes.
362
363 The "aio_readdir" cannot be avoided, but "stat()"'ing every
364 entry can.
365
366 After reading the directory, the modification time, size etc. of
367 the directory before and after the readdir is checked, and if
368 they match (and isn't the current time), the link count will be
369 used to decide how many entries are directories (if >= 2).
370 Otherwise, no knowledge of the number of subdirectories will be
371 assumed.
372
373 Then entries will be sorted into likely directories (everything
374 without a non-initial dot currently) and likely non-directories
375 (everything else). Then every entry plus an appended "/." will
376 be "stat"'ed, likely directories first. If that succeeds, it
377 assumes that the entry is a directory or a symlink to directory
378 (which will be checked seperately). This is often faster than
379 stat'ing the entry itself because filesystems might detect the
380 type of the entry without reading the inode data (e.g. ext2fs
381 filetype feature).
382
383 If the known number of directories (link count - 2) has been
384 reached, the rest of the entries is assumed to be
385 non-directories.
386
387 This only works with certainty on POSIX (= UNIX) filesystems,
388 which fortunately are the vast majority of filesystems around.
389
390 It will also likely work on non-POSIX filesystems with reduced
391 efficiency as those tend to return 0 or 1 as link counts, which
392 disables the directory counting heuristic.
393
394 aio_fsync $fh, $callback->($status)
395 Asynchronously call fsync on the given filehandle and call the
396 callback with the fsync result code.
397
398 aio_fdatasync $fh, $callback->($status)
399 Asynchronously call fdatasync on the given filehandle and call
400 the callback with the fdatasync result code.
401
402 If this call isn't available because your OS lacks it or it
403 couldn't be detected, it will be emulated by calling "fsync"
404 instead.
405
406 aio_group $callback->(...)
407 This is a very special aio request: Instead of doing something,
408 it is a container for other aio requests, which is useful if you
409 want to bundle many requests into a single, composite, request
410 with a definite callback and the ability to cancel the whole
411 request with its subrequests.
412
413 Returns an object of class IO::AIO::GRP. See its documentation
414 below for more info.
415
416 Example:
417
418 my $grp = aio_group sub {
419 print "all stats done\n";
420 };
421
422 add $grp
423 (aio_stat ...),
424 (aio_stat ...),
425 ...;
426
427 aio_nop $callback->()
428 This is a special request - it does nothing in itself and is
429 only used for side effects, such as when you want to add a dummy
430 request to a group so that finishing the requests in the group
431 depends on executing the given code.
432
433 While this request does nothing, it still goes through the
434 execution phase and still requires a worker thread. Thus, the
435 callback will not be executed immediately but only after other
436 requests in the queue have entered their execution phase. This
437 can be used to measure request latency.
438
439 IO::AIO::aio_busy $fractional_seconds, $callback->() *NOT EXPORTED*
440 Mainly used for debugging and benchmarking, this aio request
441 puts one of the request workers to sleep for the given time.
442
443 While it is theoretically handy to have simple I/O scheduling
444 requests like sleep and file handle readable/writable, the
445 overhead this creates is immense (it blocks a thread for a long
446 time) so do not use this function except to put your application
447 under artificial I/O pressure.
448
449 IO::AIO::REQ CLASS
450 All non-aggregate "aio_*" functions return an object of this class
451 when called in non-void context.
452
453 cancel $req
454 Cancels the request, if possible. Has the effect of skipping
455 execution when entering the execute state and skipping calling
456 the callback when entering the the result state, but will leave
457 the request otherwise untouched. That means that requests that
458 currently execute will not be stopped and resources held by the
459 request will not be freed prematurely.
460
461 cb $req $callback->(...)
462 Replace (or simply set) the callback registered to the request.
463
464 IO::AIO::GRP CLASS
465 This class is a subclass of IO::AIO::REQ, so all its methods apply
466 to objects of this class, too.
467
468 A IO::AIO::GRP object is a special request that can contain multiple
469 other aio requests.
470
471 You create one by calling the "aio_group" constructing function with
472 a callback that will be called when all contained requests have
473 entered the "done" state:
474
475 my $grp = aio_group sub {
476 print "all requests are done\n";
108 }; 477 };
109 478
110 aio_close $fh, $callback->($status) 479 You add requests by calling the "add" method with one or more
111 Asynchronously close a file and call the callback with the result 480 "IO::AIO::REQ" objects:
112 code. *WARNING:* although accepted, you should not pass in a perl
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.
116 481
117 This is supposed to be a bug in the API, so that might change. It's 482 $grp->add (aio_unlink "...");
118 therefore best to avoid this function.
119 483
120 aio_read $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval) 484 add $grp aio_stat "...", sub {
121 aio_write $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval) 485 $_[0] or return $grp->result ("error");
122 Reads or writes "length" bytes from the specified "fh" and "offset"
123 into the scalar given by "data" and offset "dataoffset" and calls
124 the callback without the actual number of bytes read (or -1 on
125 error, just like the syscall).
126 486
127 The $data scalar *MUST NOT* be modified in any way while the request 487 # add another request dynamically, if first succeeded
128 is outstanding. Modifying it can result in segfaults or WW3 (if the 488 add $grp aio_open "...", sub {
129 necessary/optional hardware is installed). 489 $grp->result ("ok");
130 490 };
131 Example: Read 15 bytes at offset 7 into scalar $buffer, starting at
132 offset 0 within the scalar:
133
134 aio_read $fh, 7, 15, $buffer, 0, sub {
135 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!";
136 print "read $_[0] bytes: <$buffer>\n";
137 }; 491 };
138 492
139 aio_sendfile $out_fh, $in_fh, $in_offset, $length, $callback->($retval) 493 This makes it very easy to create composite requests (see the source
140 Tries to copy $length bytes from $in_fh to $out_fh. It starts 494 of "aio_move" for an application) that work and feel like simple
141 reading at byte offset $in_offset, and starts writing at the current 495 requests.
142 file offset of $out_fh. Because of that, it is not safe to issue
143 more than one "aio_sendfile" per $out_fh, as they will interfere
144 with each other.
145 496
146 This call tries to make use of a native "sendfile" syscall to 497 * The IO::AIO::GRP objects will be cleaned up during calls to
147 provide zero-copy operation. For this to work, $out_fh should refer 498 "IO::AIO::poll_cb", just like any other request.
148 to a socket, and $in_fh should refer to mmap'able file. 499 * They can be canceled like any other request. Canceling will cancel
500 not only the request itself, but also all requests it contains.
501 * They can also can also be added to other IO::AIO::GRP objects.
502 * You must not add requests to a group from within the group
503 callback (or any later time).
149 504
150 If the native sendfile call fails or is not implemented, it will be 505 Their lifetime, simplified, looks like this: when they are empty,
151 emulated, so you can call "aio_sendfile" on any type of filehandle 506 they will finish very quickly. If they contain only requests that
152 regardless of the limitations of the operating system. 507 are in the "done" state, they will also finish. Otherwise they will
508 continue to exist.
153 509
154 Please note, however, that "aio_sendfile" can read more bytes from 510 That means after creating a group you have some time to add
155 $in_fh than are written, and there is no way to find out how many 511 requests. And in the callbacks of those requests, you can add
156 bytes have been read from "aio_sendfile" alone, as "aio_sendfile" 512 further requests to the group. And only when all those requests have
157 only provides the number of bytes written to $out_fh. Only if the 513 finished will the the group itself finish.
158 result value equals $length one can assume that $length bytes have
159 been read.
160 514
161 aio_readahead $fh,$offset,$length, $callback->($retval) 515 add $grp ...
162 "aio_readahead" populates the page cache with data from a file so 516 $grp->add (...)
163 that subsequent reads from that file will not block on disk I/O. The 517 Add one or more requests to the group. Any type of IO::AIO::REQ
164 $offset argument specifies the starting point from which data is to 518 can be added, including other groups, as long as you do not
165 be read and $length specifies the number of bytes to be read. I/O is 519 create circular dependencies.
166 performed in whole pages, so that offset is effectively rounded down
167 to a page boundary and bytes are read up to the next page boundary
168 greater than or equal to (off-set+length). "aio_readahead" does not
169 read beyond the end of the file. The current file offset of the file
170 is left unchanged.
171 520
172 If that syscall doesn't exist (likely if your OS isn't Linux) it 521 Returns all its arguments.
173 will be emulated by simply reading the data, which would have a
174 similar effect.
175 522
176 aio_stat $fh_or_path, $callback->($status) 523 $grp->cancel_subs
177 aio_lstat $fh, $callback->($status) 524 Cancel all subrequests and clears any feeder, but not the group
178 Works like perl's "stat" or "lstat" in void context. The callback 525 request itself. Useful when you queued a lot of events but got a
179 will be called after the stat and the results will be available
180 using "stat _" or "-s _" etc...
181
182 The pathname passed to "aio_stat" must be absolute. See API NOTES,
183 above, for an explanation.
184
185 Currently, the stats are always 64-bit-stats, i.e. instead of
186 returning an error when stat'ing a large file, the results will be
187 silently truncated unless perl itself is compiled with large file
188 support.
189
190 Example: Print the length of /etc/passwd:
191
192 aio_stat "/etc/passwd", sub {
193 $_[0] and die "stat failed: $!";
194 print "size is ", -s _, "\n";
195 };
196
197 aio_unlink $pathname, $callback->($status)
198 Asynchronously unlink (delete) a file and call the callback with the
199 result code. 526 result early.
200 527
201 aio_rmdir $pathname, $callback->($status) 528 $grp->result (...)
202 Asynchronously rmdir (delete) a directory and call the callback with 529 Set the result value(s) that will be passed to the group
203 the result code. 530 callback when all subrequests have finished and set thre groups
531 errno to the current value of errno (just like calling "errno"
532 without an error number). By default, no argument will be passed
533 and errno is zero.
204 534
205 aio_readdir $pathname, $callback->($entries) 535 $grp->errno ([$errno])
206 Unlike the POSIX call of the same name, "aio_readdir" reads an 536 Sets the group errno value to $errno, or the current value of
207 entire directory (i.e. opendir + readdir + closedir). The entries 537 errno when the argument is missing.
208 will not be sorted, and will NOT include the "." and ".." entries.
209 538
210 The callback a single argument which is either "undef" or an 539 Every aio request has an associated errno value that is restored
211 array-ref with the filenames. 540 when the callback is invoked. This method lets you change this
541 value from its default (0).
212 542
213 aio_scandir $path, $maxreq, $callback->($dirs, $nondirs) 543 Calling "result" will also set errno, so make sure you either
214 Scans a directory (similar to "aio_readdir") and tries to separate 544 set $! before the call to "result", or call c<errno> after it.
215 the entries of directory $path into two sets of names, ones you can
216 recurse into (directories), and ones you cannot recurse into
217 (everything else).
218 545
219 "aio_scandir" is a composite request that consists of many 546 feed $grp $callback->($grp)
220 aio-primitives. $maxreq specifies the maximum number of outstanding 547 Sets a feeder/generator on this group: every group can have an
221 aio requests that this function generates. If it is "<= 0", then a 548 attached generator that generates requests if idle. The idea
222 suitable default will be chosen (currently 8). 549 behind this is that, although you could just queue as many
550 requests as you want in a group, this might starve other
551 requests for a potentially long time. For example, "aio_scandir"
552 might generate hundreds of thousands "aio_stat" requests,
553 delaying any later requests for a long time.
223 554
224 On error, the callback is called without arguments, otherwise it 555 To avoid this, and allow incremental generation of requests, you
225 receives two array-refs with path-relative entry names. 556 can instead a group and set a feeder on it that generates those
557 requests. The feed callback will be called whenever there are
558 few enough (see "limit", below) requests active in the group
559 itself and is expected to queue more requests.
226 560
561 The feed callback can queue as many requests as it likes (i.e.
562 "add" does not impose any limits).
563
564 If the feed does not queue more requests when called, it will be
565 automatically removed from the group.
566
567 If the feed limit is 0, it will be set to 2 automatically.
568
227 Example: 569 Example:
228 570
229 aio_scandir $dir, 0, sub { 571 # stat all files in @files, but only ever use four aio requests concurrently:
230 my ($dirs, $nondirs) = @_; 572
231 print "real directories: @$dirs\n"; 573 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "finished\n" };
232 print "everything else: @$nondirs\n"; 574 limit $grp 4;
575 feed $grp sub {
576 my $file = pop @files
577 or return;
578
579 add $grp aio_stat $file, sub { ... };
233 }; 580 };
234 581
235 Implementation notes. 582 limit $grp $num
583 Sets the feeder limit for the group: The feeder will be called
584 whenever the group contains less than this many requests.
236 585
237 The "aio_readdir" cannot be avoided, but "stat()"'ing every entry 586 Setting the limit to 0 will pause the feeding process.
238 can.
239
240 After reading the directory, the modification time, size etc. of the
241 directory before and after the readdir is checked, and if they
242 match, the link count will be used to decide how many entries are
243 directories (if >= 2). Otherwise, no knowledge of the number of
244 subdirectories will be assumed.
245
246 Then entires will be sorted into likely directories (everything
247 without a non-initial dot) and likely non-directories (everything
248 else). Then every entry + "/." will be "stat"'ed, likely directories
249 first. This is often faster because filesystems might detect the
250 type of the entry without reading the inode data (e.g. ext2fs
251 filetype feature). If that succeeds, it assumes that the entry is a
252 directory or a symlink to directory (which will be checked
253 seperately).
254
255 If the known number of directories has been reached, the rest of the
256 entries is assumed to be non-directories.
257
258 aio_fsync $fh, $callback->($status)
259 Asynchronously call fsync on the given filehandle and call the
260 callback with the fsync result code.
261
262 aio_fdatasync $fh, $callback->($status)
263 Asynchronously call fdatasync on the given filehandle and call the
264 callback with the fdatasync result code.
265
266 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.
268 587
269 SUPPORT FUNCTIONS 588 SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
270 $fileno = IO::AIO::poll_fileno 589 $fileno = IO::AIO::poll_fileno
271 Return the *request result pipe file descriptor*. This filehandle 590 Return the *request result pipe file descriptor*. This
272 must be polled for reading by some mechanism outside this module 591 filehandle must be polled for reading by some mechanism outside
273 (e.g. Event or select, see below or the SYNOPSIS). If the pipe 592 this module (e.g. Event or select, see below or the SYNOPSIS).
274 becomes readable you have to call "poll_cb" to check the results. 593 If the pipe becomes readable you have to call "poll_cb" to check
594 the results.
275 595
276 See "poll_cb" for an example. 596 See "poll_cb" for an example.
277 597
278 IO::AIO::poll_cb 598 IO::AIO::poll_cb
279 Process all outstanding events on the result pipe. You have to call 599 Process all outstanding events on the result pipe. You have to
280 this regularly. Returns the number of events processed. Returns 600 call this regularly. Returns the number of events processed.
281 immediately when no events are outstanding. 601 Returns immediately when no events are outstanding.
282 602
603 If not all requests were processed for whatever reason, the
604 filehandle will still be ready when "poll_cb" returns.
605
283 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls 606 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls
284 IO::AIO::poll_cb with high priority: 607 IO::AIO::poll_cb with high priority:
285 608
286 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 609 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
287 poll => 'r', async => 1, 610 poll => 'r', async => 1,
288 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 611 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
289 612
613 IO::AIO::poll_some $max_requests
614 Similar to "poll_cb", but only processes up to $max_requests
615 requests at a time.
616
617 Useful if you want to ensure some level of interactiveness when
618 perl is not fast enough to process all requests in time.
619
620 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls
621 IO::AIO::poll_some with low priority, to ensure that other parts
622 of the program get the CPU sometimes even under high AIO load.
623
624 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
625 poll => 'r', nice => 1,
626 cb => sub { IO::AIO::poll_some 256 });
627
290 IO::AIO::poll_wait 628 IO::AIO::poll_wait
291 Wait till the result filehandle becomes ready for reading (simply 629 Wait till the result filehandle becomes ready for reading
292 does a "select" on the filehandle. This is useful if you want to 630 (simply does a "select" on the filehandle. This is useful if you
293 synchronously wait for some requests to finish). 631 want to synchronously wait for some requests to finish).
294 632
295 See "nreqs" for an example. 633 See "nreqs" for an example.
296 634
297 IO::AIO::nreqs 635 IO::AIO::nreqs
298 Returns the number of requests currently outstanding (i.e. for which 636 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready, execute
299 their callback has not been invoked yet). 637 or pending states (i.e. for which their callback has not been
638 invoked yet).
300 639
301 Example: wait till there are no outstanding requests anymore: 640 Example: wait till there are no outstanding requests anymore:
302 641
303 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 642 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
304 while IO::AIO::nreqs; 643 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
305 644
645 IO::AIO::nready
646 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready state (not
647 yet executed).
648
649 IO::AIO::npending
650 Returns the number of requests currently in the pending state
651 (executed, but not yet processed by poll_cb).
652
306 IO::AIO::flush 653 IO::AIO::flush
307 Wait till all outstanding AIO requests have been handled. 654 Wait till all outstanding AIO requests have been handled.
308 655
309 Strictly equivalent to: 656 Strictly equivalent to:
310 657
311 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 658 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
312 while IO::AIO::nreqs; 659 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
313 660
314 IO::AIO::poll 661 IO::AIO::poll
315 Waits until some requests have been handled. 662 Waits until some requests have been handled.
316 663
317 Strictly equivalent to: 664 Strictly equivalent to:
318 665
319 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 666 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
320 if IO::AIO::nreqs; 667 if IO::AIO::nreqs;
321 668
322 IO::AIO::min_parallel $nthreads 669 IO::AIO::min_parallel $nthreads
323 Set the minimum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. The current 670 Set the minimum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. The current
324 default is 4, which means four asynchronous operations can be done 671 default is 8, which means eight asynchronous operations can
325 at one time (the number of outstanding operations, however, is 672 execute concurrently at any one time (the number of outstanding
326 unlimited). 673 requests, however, is unlimited).
327 674
328 IO::AIO starts threads only on demand, when an AIO request is queued 675 IO::AIO starts threads only on demand, when an AIO request is
329 and no free thread exists. 676 queued and no free thread exists.
330 677
331 It is recommended to keep the number of threads low, as some Linux 678 It is recommended to keep the number of threads relatively low,
332 kernel versions will scale negatively with the number of threads 679 as some Linux kernel versions will scale negatively with the
333 (higher parallelity => MUCH higher latency). With current Linux 2.6 680 number of threads (higher parallelity => MUCH higher latency).
334 versions, 4-32 threads should be fine. 681 With current Linux 2.6 versions, 4-32 threads should be fine.
335 682
336 Under most circumstances you don't need to call this function, as 683 Under most circumstances you don't need to call this function,
337 the module selects a default that is suitable for low to moderate 684 as the module selects a default that is suitable for low to
338 load. 685 moderate load.
339 686
340 IO::AIO::max_parallel $nthreads 687 IO::AIO::max_parallel $nthreads
341 Sets the maximum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. If more than 688 Sets the maximum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. If more
342 the specified number of threads are currently running, this function 689 than the specified number of threads are currently running, this
343 kills them. This function blocks until the limit is reached. 690 function kills them. This function blocks until the limit is
691 reached.
344 692
345 While $nthreads are zero, aio requests get queued but not executed 693 While $nthreads are zero, aio requests get queued but not
346 until the number of threads has been increased again. 694 executed until the number of threads has been increased again.
347 695
348 This module automatically runs "max_parallel 0" at program end, to 696 This module automatically runs "max_parallel 0" at program end,
349 ensure that all threads are killed and that there are no outstanding 697 to ensure that all threads are killed and that there are no
350 requests. 698 outstanding requests.
351 699
352 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function. 700 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function.
353 701
354 $oldnreqs = IO::AIO::max_outstanding $nreqs 702 $oldmaxreqs = IO::AIO::max_outstanding $maxreqs
703 This is a very bad function to use in interactive programs
704 because it blocks, and a bad way to reduce concurrency because
705 it is inexact: Better use an "aio_group" together with a feed
706 callback.
707
355 Sets the maximum number of outstanding requests to $nreqs. If you 708 Sets the maximum number of outstanding requests to $nreqs. If
356 try to queue up more than this number of requests, the caller will 709 you to queue up more than this number of requests, the next call
357 block until some requests have been handled. 710 to the "poll_cb" (and "poll_some" and other functions calling
711 "poll_cb") function will block until the limit is no longer
712 exceeded.
358 713
359 The default is very large, so normally there is no practical limit. 714 The default value is very large, so there is no practical limit
360 If you queue up many requests in a loop it often improves speed if 715 on the number of outstanding requests.
361 you set this to a relatively low number, such as 100.
362 716
363 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function. 717 You can still queue as many requests as you want. Therefore,
718 "max_oustsanding" is mainly useful in simple scripts (with low
719 values) or as a stop gap to shield against fatal memory overflow
720 (with large values).
364 721
365 FORK BEHAVIOUR 722 FORK BEHAVIOUR
723 This module should do "the right thing" when the process using it
724 forks:
725
366 Before the fork, IO::AIO enters a quiescent state where no requests can 726 Before the fork, IO::AIO enters a quiescent state where no requests
367 be added in other threads and no results will be processed. After the 727 can be added in other threads and no results will be processed.
368 fork the parent simply leaves the quiescent state and continues 728 After the fork the parent simply leaves the quiescent state and
369 request/result processing, while the child clears the request/result 729 continues request/result processing, while the child frees the
370 queue (so the requests started before the fork will only be handled in 730 request/result queue (so that the requests started before the fork
371 the parent). Threats will be started on demand until the limit ste in 731 will only be handled in the parent). Threads will be started on
372 the parent process has been reached again. 732 demand until the limit set in the parent process has been reached
733 again.
734
735 In short: the parent will, after a short pause, continue as if fork
736 had not been called, while the child will act as if IO::AIO has not
737 been used yet.
738
739 MEMORY USAGE
740 Per-request usage:
741
742 Each aio request uses - depending on your architecture - around
743 100-200 bytes of memory. In addition, stat requests need a stat
744 buffer (possibly a few hundred bytes), readdir requires a result
745 buffer and so on. Perl scalars and other data passed into aio
746 requests will also be locked and will consume memory till the
747 request has entered the done state.
748
749 This is now awfully much, so queuing lots of requests is not usually
750 a problem.
751
752 Per-thread usage:
753
754 In the execution phase, some aio requests require more memory for
755 temporary buffers, and each thread requires a stack and other data
756 structures (usually around 16k-128k, depending on the OS).
757
758KNOWN BUGS
759 Known bugs will be fixed in the next release.
373 760
374SEE ALSO 761SEE ALSO
375 Coro, Linux::AIO. 762 Coro::AIO.
376 763
377AUTHOR 764AUTHOR
378 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 765 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
379 http://home.schmorp.de/ 766 http://home.schmorp.de/
380 767

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