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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
23 $req->cancel; # cancel request if still in queue 24 $req->cancel; # cancel request if still in queue
24 25
25 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "all stats done\n" }; 26 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "all stats done\n" };
26 add $grp aio_stat "..." for ...; 27 add $grp aio_stat "..." for ...;
27 28
29 # AnyEvent integration (EV, Event, Glib, Tk, POE, urxvt, pureperl...)
30 use AnyEvent::AIO;
31
28 # AnyEvent integration 32 # EV integration
29 open my $fh, "<&=" . IO::AIO::poll_fileno or die "$!"; 33 my $aio_w = EV::io IO::AIO::poll_fileno, EV::READ, \&IO::AIO::poll_cb;
30 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => 'r', cb => sub { IO::AIO::poll_cb });
31 34
32 # Event integration 35 # Event integration
33 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 36 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
34 poll => 'r', 37 poll => 'r',
35 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 38 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
46 Danga::Socket->AddOtherFds (IO::AIO::poll_fileno => 49 Danga::Socket->AddOtherFds (IO::AIO::poll_fileno =>
47 \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 50 \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
48 51
49DESCRIPTION 52DESCRIPTION
50 This module implements asynchronous I/O using whatever means your 53 This module implements asynchronous I/O using whatever means your
51 operating system supports. 54 operating system supports. It is implemented as an interface to "libeio"
55 (<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libeio.html>).
52 56
53 Asynchronous means that operations that can normally block your program 57 Asynchronous means that operations that can normally block your program
54 (e.g. reading from disk) will be done asynchronously: the operation will 58 (e.g. reading from disk) will be done asynchronously: the operation will
55 still block, but you can do something else in the meantime. This is 59 still block, but you can do something else in the meantime. This is
56 extremely useful for programs that need to stay interactive even when 60 extremely useful for programs that need to stay interactive even when
58 but can also be used to easily do operations in parallel that are 62 but can also be used to easily do operations in parallel that are
59 normally done sequentially, e.g. stat'ing many files, which is much 63 normally done sequentially, e.g. stat'ing many files, which is much
60 faster on a RAID volume or over NFS when you do a number of stat 64 faster on a RAID volume or over NFS when you do a number of stat
61 operations concurrently. 65 operations concurrently.
62 66
63 While this works on all types of file descriptors (for example sockets), 67 While most of this works on all types of file descriptors (for example
64 using these functions on file descriptors that support nonblocking 68 sockets), using these functions on file descriptors that support
65 operation (again, sockets, pipes etc.) is very inefficient. Use an event 69 nonblocking operation (again, sockets, pipes etc.) is very inefficient.
66 loop for that (such as the Event module): IO::AIO will naturally fit 70 Use an event loop for that (such as the EV module): IO::AIO will
67 into such an event loop itself. 71 naturally fit into such an event loop itself.
68 72
69 In this version, a number of threads are started that execute your 73 In this version, a number of threads are started that execute your
70 requests and signal their completion. You don't need thread support in 74 requests and signal their completion. You don't need thread support in
71 perl, and the threads created by this module will not be visible to 75 perl, and the threads created by this module will not be visible to
72 perl. In the future, this module might make use of the native aio 76 perl. In the future, this module might make use of the native aio
74 not well-supported or restricted (GNU/Linux doesn't allow them on normal 78 not well-supported or restricted (GNU/Linux doesn't allow them on normal
75 files currently, for example), and they would only support aio_read and 79 files currently, for example), and they would only support aio_read and
76 aio_write, so the remaining functionality would have to be implemented 80 aio_write, so the remaining functionality would have to be implemented
77 using threads anyway. 81 using threads anyway.
78 82
79 Although the module will work with in the presence of other (Perl-) 83 Although the module will work in the presence of other (Perl-) threads,
80 threads, it is currently not reentrant in any way, so use appropriate 84 it is currently not reentrant in any way, so use appropriate locking
81 locking yourself, always call "poll_cb" from within the same thread, or 85 yourself, always call "poll_cb" from within the same thread, or never
82 never call "poll_cb" (or other "aio_" functions) recursively. 86 call "poll_cb" (or other "aio_" functions) recursively.
83 87
84 EXAMPLE 88 EXAMPLE
85 This is a simple example that uses the Event module and loads 89 This is a simple example that uses the EV module and loads /etc/passwd
86 /etc/passwd asynchronously: 90 asynchronously:
87 91
88 use Fcntl; 92 use Fcntl;
89 use Event; 93 use EV;
90 use IO::AIO; 94 use IO::AIO;
91 95
92 # register the IO::AIO callback with Event 96 # register the IO::AIO callback with EV
93 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 97 my $aio_w = EV::io IO::AIO::poll_fileno, EV::READ, \&IO::AIO::poll_cb;
94 poll => 'r',
95 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
96 98
97 # queue the request to open /etc/passwd 99 # queue the request to open /etc/passwd
98 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub { 100 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
99 my $fh = $_[0] 101 my $fh = shift
100 or die "error while opening: $!"; 102 or die "error while opening: $!";
101 103
102 # stat'ing filehandles is generally non-blocking 104 # stat'ing filehandles is generally non-blocking
103 my $size = -s $fh; 105 my $size = -s $fh;
104 106
112 114
113 # file contents now in $contents 115 # file contents now in $contents
114 print $contents; 116 print $contents;
115 117
116 # exit event loop and program 118 # exit event loop and program
117 Event::unloop; 119 EV::unloop;
118 }; 120 };
119 }; 121 };
120 122
121 # possibly queue up other requests, or open GUI windows, 123 # possibly queue up other requests, or open GUI windows,
122 # check for sockets etc. etc. 124 # check for sockets etc. etc.
123 125
124 # process events as long as there are some: 126 # process events as long as there are some:
125 Event::loop; 127 EV::loop;
126 128
127REQUEST ANATOMY AND LIFETIME 129REQUEST ANATOMY AND LIFETIME
128 Every "aio_*" function creates a request. which is a C data structure 130 Every "aio_*" function creates a request. which is a C data structure
129 not directly visible to Perl. 131 not directly visible to Perl.
130 132
167 the actual aio request is severed and calling its methods will 169 the actual aio request is severed and calling its methods will
168 either do nothing or result in a runtime error). 170 either do nothing or result in a runtime error).
169 171
170FUNCTIONS 172FUNCTIONS
171 AIO REQUEST FUNCTIONS 173 AIO REQUEST FUNCTIONS
172 All the "aio_*" calls are more or less thin wrappers around the 174 All the "aio_*" calls are more or less thin wrappers around the syscall
173 syscall with the same name (sans "aio_"). The arguments are similar 175 with the same name (sans "aio_"). The arguments are similar or
174 or identical, and they all accept an additional (and optional) 176 identical, and they all accept an additional (and optional) $callback
175 $callback argument which must be a code reference. This code 177 argument which must be a code reference. This code reference will get
176 reference will get called with the syscall return code (e.g. most 178 called with the syscall return code (e.g. most syscalls return -1 on
177 syscalls return -1 on error, unlike perl, which usually delivers 179 error, unlike perl, which usually delivers "false") as its sole argument
178 "false") as it's sole argument when the given syscall has been 180 after the given syscall has been executed asynchronously.
179 executed asynchronously.
180 181
181 All functions expecting a filehandle keep a copy of the filehandle 182 All functions expecting a filehandle keep a copy of the filehandle
182 internally until the request has finished. 183 internally until the request has finished.
183 184
184 All functions return request objects of type IO::AIO::REQ that allow 185 All functions return request objects of type IO::AIO::REQ that allow
185 further manipulation of those requests while they are in-flight. 186 further manipulation of those requests while they are in-flight.
186 187
187 The pathnames you pass to these routines *must* be absolute and 188 The pathnames you pass to these routines *must* be absolute and encoded
188 encoded as octets. The reason for the former is that at the time the 189 as octets. The reason for the former is that at the time the request is
189 request is being executed, the current working directory could have 190 being executed, the current working directory could have changed.
190 changed. Alternatively, you can make sure that you never change the 191 Alternatively, you can make sure that you never change the current
191 current working directory anywhere in the program and then use 192 working directory anywhere in the program and then use relative paths.
192 relative paths.
193 193
194 To encode pathnames as octets, either make sure you either: a) 194 To encode pathnames as octets, either make sure you either: a) always
195 always pass in filenames you got from outside (command line, readdir 195 pass in filenames you got from outside (command line, readdir etc.)
196 etc.) without tinkering, b) are ASCII or ISO 8859-1, c) use the 196 without tinkering, b) are ASCII or ISO 8859-1, c) use the Encode module
197 Encode module and encode your pathnames to the locale (or other) 197 and encode your pathnames to the locale (or other) encoding in effect in
198 encoding in effect in the user environment, d) use 198 the user environment, d) use Glib::filename_from_unicode on unicode
199 Glib::filename_from_unicode on unicode filenames or e) use something 199 filenames or e) use something else to ensure your scalar has the correct
200 else to ensure your scalar has the correct contents. 200 contents.
201 201
202 This works, btw. independent of the internal UTF-8 bit, which 202 This works, btw. independent of the internal UTF-8 bit, which IO::AIO
203 IO::AIO handles correctly wether it is set or not. 203 handles correctly whether it is set or not.
204 204
205 $prev_pri = aioreq_pri [$pri] 205 $prev_pri = aioreq_pri [$pri]
206 Returns the priority value that would be used for the next 206 Returns the priority value that would be used for the next request
207 request and, if $pri is given, sets the priority for the next 207 and, if $pri is given, sets the priority for the next aio request.
208 aio request.
209 208
210 The default priority is 0, the minimum and maximum priorities 209 The default priority is 0, the minimum and maximum priorities are -4
211 are -4 and 4, respectively. Requests with higher priority will 210 and 4, respectively. Requests with higher priority will be serviced
212 be serviced first. 211 first.
213 212
214 The priority will be reset to 0 after each call to one of the 213 The priority will be reset to 0 after each call to one of the
215 "aio_*" functions. 214 "aio_*" functions.
216 215
217 Example: open a file with low priority, then read something from 216 Example: open a file with low priority, then read something from it
218 it with higher priority so the read request is serviced before 217 with higher priority so the read request is serviced before other
219 other low priority open requests (potentially spamming the 218 low priority open requests (potentially spamming the cache):
220 cache):
221 219
220 aioreq_pri -3;
221 aio_open ..., sub {
222 return unless $_[0];
223
222 aioreq_pri -3; 224 aioreq_pri -2;
223 aio_open ..., sub {
224 return unless $_[0];
225
226 aioreq_pri -2;
227 aio_read $_[0], ..., sub { 225 aio_read $_[0], ..., sub {
228 ...
229 };
230 };
231
232 aioreq_nice $pri_adjust
233 Similar to "aioreq_pri", but subtracts the given value from the
234 current priority, so the effect is cumulative.
235
236 aio_open $pathname, $flags, $mode, $callback->($fh)
237 Asynchronously open or create a file and call the callback with
238 a newly created filehandle for the file.
239
240 The pathname passed to "aio_open" must be absolute. See API
241 NOTES, above, for an explanation.
242
243 The $flags argument is a bitmask. See the "Fcntl" module for a
244 list. They are the same as used by "sysopen".
245
246 Likewise, $mode specifies the mode of the newly created file, if
247 it didn't exist and "O_CREAT" has been given, just like perl's
248 "sysopen", except that it is mandatory (i.e. use 0 if you don't
249 create new files, and 0666 or 0777 if you do).
250
251 Example:
252
253 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
254 if ($_[0]) {
255 print "open successful, fh is $_[0]\n";
256 ...
257 } else {
258 die "open failed: $!\n";
259 }
260 };
261
262 aio_close $fh, $callback->($status)
263 Asynchronously close a file and call the callback with the
264 result code. *WARNING:* although accepted, you should not pass
265 in a perl filehandle here, as perl will likely close the file
266 descriptor another time when the filehandle is destroyed.
267 Normally, you can safely call perls "close" or just let
268 filehandles go out of scope.
269
270 This is supposed to be a bug in the API, so that might change.
271 It's therefore best to avoid this function.
272
273 aio_read $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset,
274 $callback->($retval)
275 aio_write $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset,
276 $callback->($retval)
277 Reads or writes "length" bytes from the specified "fh" and
278 "offset" into the scalar given by "data" and offset "dataoffset"
279 and calls the callback without the actual number of bytes read
280 (or -1 on error, just like the syscall).
281
282 The $data scalar *MUST NOT* be modified in any way while the
283 request is outstanding. Modifying it can result in segfaults or
284 WW3 (if the necessary/optional hardware is installed).
285
286 Example: Read 15 bytes at offset 7 into scalar $buffer, starting
287 at offset 0 within the scalar:
288
289 aio_read $fh, 7, 15, $buffer, 0, sub {
290 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!";
291 print "read $_[0] bytes: <$buffer>\n";
292 };
293
294 aio_sendfile $out_fh, $in_fh, $in_offset, $length,
295 $callback->($retval)
296 Tries to copy $length bytes from $in_fh to $out_fh. It starts
297 reading at byte offset $in_offset, and starts writing at the
298 current file offset of $out_fh. Because of that, it is not safe
299 to issue more than one "aio_sendfile" per $out_fh, as they will
300 interfere with each other.
301
302 This call tries to make use of a native "sendfile" syscall to
303 provide zero-copy operation. For this to work, $out_fh should
304 refer to a socket, and $in_fh should refer to mmap'able file.
305
306 If the native sendfile call fails or is not implemented, it will
307 be emulated, so you can call "aio_sendfile" on any type of
308 filehandle regardless of the limitations of the operating
309 system.
310
311 Please note, however, that "aio_sendfile" can read more bytes
312 from $in_fh than are written, and there is no way to find out
313 how many bytes have been read from "aio_sendfile" alone, as
314 "aio_sendfile" only provides the number of bytes written to
315 $out_fh. Only if the result value equals $length one can assume
316 that $length bytes have been read.
317
318 aio_readahead $fh,$offset,$length, $callback->($retval)
319 "aio_readahead" populates the page cache with data from a file
320 so that subsequent reads from that file will not block on disk
321 I/O. The $offset argument specifies the starting point from
322 which data is to be read and $length specifies the number of
323 bytes to be read. I/O is performed in whole pages, so that
324 offset is effectively rounded down to a page boundary and bytes
325 are read up to the next page boundary greater than or equal to
326 (off-set+length). "aio_readahead" does not read beyond the end
327 of the file. The current file offset of the file is left
328 unchanged.
329
330 If that syscall doesn't exist (likely if your OS isn't Linux) it
331 will be emulated by simply reading the data, which would have a
332 similar effect.
333
334 aio_stat $fh_or_path, $callback->($status)
335 aio_lstat $fh, $callback->($status)
336 Works like perl's "stat" or "lstat" in void context. The
337 callback will be called after the stat and the results will be
338 available using "stat _" or "-s _" etc...
339
340 The pathname passed to "aio_stat" must be absolute. See API
341 NOTES, above, for an explanation.
342
343 Currently, the stats are always 64-bit-stats, i.e. instead of
344 returning an error when stat'ing a large file, the results will
345 be silently truncated unless perl itself is compiled with large
346 file support.
347
348 Example: Print the length of /etc/passwd:
349
350 aio_stat "/etc/passwd", sub {
351 $_[0] and die "stat failed: $!";
352 print "size is ", -s _, "\n";
353 };
354
355 aio_unlink $pathname, $callback->($status)
356 Asynchronously unlink (delete) a file and call the callback with
357 the result code.
358
359 aio_mknod $path, $mode, $dev, $callback->($status)
360 [EXPERIMENTAL]
361
362 Asynchronously create a device node (or fifo). See mknod(2).
363
364 The only (POSIX-) portable way of calling this function is:
365
366 aio_mknod $path, IO::AIO::S_IFIFO | $mode, 0, sub { ...
367
368 aio_link $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
369 Asynchronously create a new link to the existing object at
370 $srcpath at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the
371 result code.
372
373 aio_symlink $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
374 Asynchronously create a new symbolic link to the existing object
375 at $srcpath at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the
376 result code.
377
378 aio_rename $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
379 Asynchronously rename the object at $srcpath to $dstpath, just
380 as rename(2) and call the callback with the result code.
381
382 aio_rmdir $pathname, $callback->($status)
383 Asynchronously rmdir (delete) a directory and call the callback
384 with the result code.
385
386 aio_readdir $pathname, $callback->($entries)
387 Unlike the POSIX call of the same name, "aio_readdir" reads an
388 entire directory (i.e. opendir + readdir + closedir). The
389 entries will not be sorted, and will NOT include the "." and
390 ".." entries.
391
392 The callback a single argument which is either "undef" or an
393 array-ref with the filenames.
394
395 aio_copy $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
396 Try to copy the *file* (directories not supported as either
397 source or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the
398 callback with the 0 (error) or -1 ok.
399
400 This is a composite request that it creates the destination file
401 with mode 0200 and copies the contents of the source file into
402 it using "aio_sendfile", followed by restoring atime, mtime,
403 access mode and uid/gid, in that order.
404
405 If an error occurs, the partial destination file will be
406 unlinked, if possible, except when setting atime, mtime, access
407 mode and uid/gid, where errors are being ignored.
408
409 aio_move $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
410 Try to move the *file* (directories not supported as either
411 source or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the
412 callback with the 0 (error) or -1 ok.
413
414 This is a composite request that tries to rename(2) the file
415 first. If rename files with "EXDEV", it copies the file with
416 "aio_copy" and, if that is successful, unlinking the $srcpath.
417
418 aio_scandir $path, $maxreq, $callback->($dirs, $nondirs)
419 Scans a directory (similar to "aio_readdir") but additionally
420 tries to efficiently separate the entries of directory $path
421 into two sets of names, directories you can recurse into
422 (directories), and ones you cannot recurse into (everything
423 else, including symlinks to directories).
424
425 "aio_scandir" is a composite request that creates of many sub
426 requests_ $maxreq specifies the maximum number of outstanding
427 aio requests that this function generates. If it is "<= 0", then
428 a suitable default will be chosen (currently 4).
429
430 On error, the callback is called without arguments, otherwise it
431 receives two array-refs with path-relative entry names.
432
433 Example:
434
435 aio_scandir $dir, 0, sub {
436 my ($dirs, $nondirs) = @_;
437 print "real directories: @$dirs\n";
438 print "everything else: @$nondirs\n";
439 };
440
441 Implementation notes.
442
443 The "aio_readdir" cannot be avoided, but "stat()"'ing every
444 entry can.
445
446 After reading the directory, the modification time, size etc. of
447 the directory before and after the readdir is checked, and if
448 they match (and isn't the current time), the link count will be
449 used to decide how many entries are directories (if >= 2).
450 Otherwise, no knowledge of the number of subdirectories will be
451 assumed.
452
453 Then entries will be sorted into likely directories (everything
454 without a non-initial dot currently) and likely non-directories
455 (everything else). Then every entry plus an appended "/." will
456 be "stat"'ed, likely directories first. If that succeeds, it
457 assumes that the entry is a directory or a symlink to directory
458 (which will be checked seperately). This is often faster than
459 stat'ing the entry itself because filesystems might detect the
460 type of the entry without reading the inode data (e.g. ext2fs
461 filetype feature).
462
463 If the known number of directories (link count - 2) has been
464 reached, the rest of the entries is assumed to be
465 non-directories.
466
467 This only works with certainty on POSIX (= UNIX) filesystems,
468 which fortunately are the vast majority of filesystems around.
469
470 It will also likely work on non-POSIX filesystems with reduced
471 efficiency as those tend to return 0 or 1 as link counts, which
472 disables the directory counting heuristic.
473
474 aio_fsync $fh, $callback->($status)
475 Asynchronously call fsync on the given filehandle and call the
476 callback with the fsync result code.
477
478 aio_fdatasync $fh, $callback->($status)
479 Asynchronously call fdatasync on the given filehandle and call
480 the callback with the fdatasync result code.
481
482 If this call isn't available because your OS lacks it or it
483 couldn't be detected, it will be emulated by calling "fsync"
484 instead.
485
486 aio_group $callback->(...)
487 This is a very special aio request: Instead of doing something,
488 it is a container for other aio requests, which is useful if you
489 want to bundle many requests into a single, composite, request
490 with a definite callback and the ability to cancel the whole
491 request with its subrequests.
492
493 Returns an object of class IO::AIO::GRP. See its documentation
494 below for more info.
495
496 Example:
497
498 my $grp = aio_group sub {
499 print "all stats done\n";
500 };
501
502 add $grp
503 (aio_stat ...),
504 (aio_stat ...),
505 ...; 226 ...
506
507 aio_nop $callback->()
508 This is a special request - it does nothing in itself and is
509 only used for side effects, such as when you want to add a dummy
510 request to a group so that finishing the requests in the group
511 depends on executing the given code.
512
513 While this request does nothing, it still goes through the
514 execution phase and still requires a worker thread. Thus, the
515 callback will not be executed immediately but only after other
516 requests in the queue have entered their execution phase. This
517 can be used to measure request latency.
518
519 IO::AIO::aio_busy $fractional_seconds, $callback->() *NOT EXPORTED*
520 Mainly used for debugging and benchmarking, this aio request
521 puts one of the request workers to sleep for the given time.
522
523 While it is theoretically handy to have simple I/O scheduling
524 requests like sleep and file handle readable/writable, the
525 overhead this creates is immense (it blocks a thread for a long
526 time) so do not use this function except to put your application
527 under artificial I/O pressure.
528
529 IO::AIO::REQ CLASS
530 All non-aggregate "aio_*" functions return an object of this class
531 when called in non-void context.
532
533 cancel $req
534 Cancels the request, if possible. Has the effect of skipping
535 execution when entering the execute state and skipping calling
536 the callback when entering the the result state, but will leave
537 the request otherwise untouched. That means that requests that
538 currently execute will not be stopped and resources held by the
539 request will not be freed prematurely.
540
541 cb $req $callback->(...)
542 Replace (or simply set) the callback registered to the request.
543
544 IO::AIO::GRP CLASS
545 This class is a subclass of IO::AIO::REQ, so all its methods apply
546 to objects of this class, too.
547
548 A IO::AIO::GRP object is a special request that can contain multiple
549 other aio requests.
550
551 You create one by calling the "aio_group" constructing function with
552 a callback that will be called when all contained requests have
553 entered the "done" state:
554
555 my $grp = aio_group sub {
556 print "all requests are done\n";
557 };
558
559 You add requests by calling the "add" method with one or more
560 "IO::AIO::REQ" objects:
561
562 $grp->add (aio_unlink "...");
563
564 add $grp aio_stat "...", sub {
565 $_[0] or return $grp->result ("error");
566
567 # add another request dynamically, if first succeeded
568 add $grp aio_open "...", sub {
569 $grp->result ("ok");
570 }; 227 };
571 }; 228 };
572 229
230 aioreq_nice $pri_adjust
231 Similar to "aioreq_pri", but subtracts the given value from the
232 current priority, so the effect is cumulative.
233
234 aio_open $pathname, $flags, $mode, $callback->($fh)
235 Asynchronously open or create a file and call the callback with a
236 newly created filehandle for the file.
237
238 The pathname passed to "aio_open" must be absolute. See API NOTES,
239 above, for an explanation.
240
241 The $flags argument is a bitmask. See the "Fcntl" module for a list.
242 They are the same as used by "sysopen".
243
244 Likewise, $mode specifies the mode of the newly created file, if it
245 didn't exist and "O_CREAT" has been given, just like perl's
246 "sysopen", except that it is mandatory (i.e. use 0 if you don't
247 create new files, and 0666 or 0777 if you do). Note that the $mode
248 will be modified by the umask in effect then the request is being
249 executed, so better never change the umask.
250
251 Example:
252
253 aio_open "/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, sub {
254 if ($_[0]) {
255 print "open successful, fh is $_[0]\n";
256 ...
257 } else {
258 die "open failed: $!\n";
259 }
260 };
261
262 aio_close $fh, $callback->($status)
263 Asynchronously close a file and call the callback with the result
264 code.
265
266 Unfortunately, you can't do this to perl. Perl *insists* very
267 strongly on closing the file descriptor associated with the
268 filehandle itself.
269
270 Therefore, "aio_close" will not close the filehandle - instead it
271 will use dup2 to overwrite the file descriptor with the write-end of
272 a pipe (the pipe fd will be created on demand and will be cached).
273
274 Or in other words: the file descriptor will be closed, but it will
275 not be free for reuse until the perl filehandle is closed.
276
277 aio_read $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval)
278 aio_write $fh,$offset,$length, $data,$dataoffset, $callback->($retval)
279 Reads or writes $length bytes from or to the specified $fh and
280 $offset into the scalar given by $data and offset $dataoffset and
281 calls the callback without the actual number of bytes read (or -1 on
282 error, just like the syscall).
283
284 "aio_read" will, like "sysread", shrink or grow the $data scalar to
285 offset plus the actual number of bytes read.
286
287 If $offset is undefined, then the current file descriptor offset
288 will be used (and updated), otherwise the file descriptor offset
289 will not be changed by these calls.
290
291 If $length is undefined in "aio_write", use the remaining length of
292 $data.
293
294 If $dataoffset is less than zero, it will be counted from the end of
295 $data.
296
297 The $data scalar *MUST NOT* be modified in any way while the request
298 is outstanding. Modifying it can result in segfaults or World War
299 III (if the necessary/optional hardware is installed).
300
301 Example: Read 15 bytes at offset 7 into scalar $buffer, starting at
302 offset 0 within the scalar:
303
304 aio_read $fh, 7, 15, $buffer, 0, sub {
305 $_[0] > 0 or die "read error: $!";
306 print "read $_[0] bytes: <$buffer>\n";
307 };
308
309 aio_sendfile $out_fh, $in_fh, $in_offset, $length, $callback->($retval)
310 Tries to copy $length bytes from $in_fh to $out_fh. It starts
311 reading at byte offset $in_offset, and starts writing at the current
312 file offset of $out_fh. Because of that, it is not safe to issue
313 more than one "aio_sendfile" per $out_fh, as they will interfere
314 with each other.
315
316 This call tries to make use of a native "sendfile" syscall to
317 provide zero-copy operation. For this to work, $out_fh should refer
318 to a socket, and $in_fh should refer to mmap'able file.
319
320 If a native sendfile cannot be found or it fails with "ENOSYS",
321 "ENOTSUP", "EOPNOTSUPP", "EAFNOSUPPORT", "EPROTOTYPE" or "ENOTSOCK",
322 it will be emulated, so you can call "aio_sendfile" on any type of
323 filehandle regardless of the limitations of the operating system.
324
325 Please note, however, that "aio_sendfile" can read more bytes from
326 $in_fh than are written, and there is no way to find out how many
327 bytes have been read from "aio_sendfile" alone, as "aio_sendfile"
328 only provides the number of bytes written to $out_fh. Only if the
329 result value equals $length one can assume that $length bytes have
330 been read.
331
332 aio_readahead $fh,$offset,$length, $callback->($retval)
333 "aio_readahead" populates the page cache with data from a file so
334 that subsequent reads from that file will not block on disk I/O. The
335 $offset argument specifies the starting point from which data is to
336 be read and $length specifies the number of bytes to be read. I/O is
337 performed in whole pages, so that offset is effectively rounded down
338 to a page boundary and bytes are read up to the next page boundary
339 greater than or equal to (off-set+length). "aio_readahead" does not
340 read beyond the end of the file. The current file offset of the file
341 is left unchanged.
342
343 If that syscall doesn't exist (likely if your OS isn't Linux) it
344 will be emulated by simply reading the data, which would have a
345 similar effect.
346
347 aio_stat $fh_or_path, $callback->($status)
348 aio_lstat $fh, $callback->($status)
349 Works like perl's "stat" or "lstat" in void context. The callback
350 will be called after the stat and the results will be available
351 using "stat _" or "-s _" etc...
352
353 The pathname passed to "aio_stat" must be absolute. See API NOTES,
354 above, for an explanation.
355
356 Currently, the stats are always 64-bit-stats, i.e. instead of
357 returning an error when stat'ing a large file, the results will be
358 silently truncated unless perl itself is compiled with large file
359 support.
360
361 Example: Print the length of /etc/passwd:
362
363 aio_stat "/etc/passwd", sub {
364 $_[0] and die "stat failed: $!";
365 print "size is ", -s _, "\n";
366 };
367
368 aio_utime $fh_or_path, $atime, $mtime, $callback->($status)
369 Works like perl's "utime" function (including the special case of
370 $atime and $mtime being undef). Fractional times are supported if
371 the underlying syscalls support them.
372
373 When called with a pathname, uses utimes(2) if available, otherwise
374 utime(2). If called on a file descriptor, uses futimes(2) if
375 available, otherwise returns ENOSYS, so this is not portable.
376
377 Examples:
378
379 # set atime and mtime to current time (basically touch(1)):
380 aio_utime "path", undef, undef;
381 # set atime to current time and mtime to beginning of the epoch:
382 aio_utime "path", time, undef; # undef==0
383
384 aio_chown $fh_or_path, $uid, $gid, $callback->($status)
385 Works like perl's "chown" function, except that "undef" for either
386 $uid or $gid is being interpreted as "do not change" (but -1 can
387 also be used).
388
389 Examples:
390
391 # same as "chown root path" in the shell:
392 aio_chown "path", 0, -1;
393 # same as above:
394 aio_chown "path", 0, undef;
395
396 aio_truncate $fh_or_path, $offset, $callback->($status)
397 Works like truncate(2) or ftruncate(2).
398
399 aio_chmod $fh_or_path, $mode, $callback->($status)
400 Works like perl's "chmod" function.
401
402 aio_unlink $pathname, $callback->($status)
403 Asynchronously unlink (delete) a file and call the callback with the
404 result code.
405
406 aio_mknod $path, $mode, $dev, $callback->($status)
407 [EXPERIMENTAL]
408
409 Asynchronously create a device node (or fifo). See mknod(2).
410
411 The only (POSIX-) portable way of calling this function is:
412
413 aio_mknod $path, IO::AIO::S_IFIFO | $mode, 0, sub { ...
414
415 aio_link $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
416 Asynchronously create a new link to the existing object at $srcpath
417 at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the result code.
418
419 aio_symlink $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
420 Asynchronously create a new symbolic link to the existing object at
421 $srcpath at the path $dstpath and call the callback with the result
422 code.
423
424 aio_readlink $path, $callback->($link)
425 Asynchronously read the symlink specified by $path and pass it to
426 the callback. If an error occurs, nothing or undef gets passed to
427 the callback.
428
429 aio_rename $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
430 Asynchronously rename the object at $srcpath to $dstpath, just as
431 rename(2) and call the callback with the result code.
432
433 aio_mkdir $pathname, $mode, $callback->($status)
434 Asynchronously mkdir (create) a directory and call the callback with
435 the result code. $mode will be modified by the umask at the time the
436 request is executed, so do not change your umask.
437
438 aio_rmdir $pathname, $callback->($status)
439 Asynchronously rmdir (delete) a directory and call the callback with
440 the result code.
441
442 aio_readdir $pathname, $callback->($entries)
443 Unlike the POSIX call of the same name, "aio_readdir" reads an
444 entire directory (i.e. opendir + readdir + closedir). The entries
445 will not be sorted, and will NOT include the "." and ".." entries.
446
447 The callback is passed a single argument which is either "undef" or
448 an array-ref with the filenames.
449
450 aio_readdirx $pathname, $flags, $callback->($entries, $flags)
451 Quite similar to "aio_readdir", but the $flags argument allows to
452 tune behaviour and output format. In case of an error, $entries will
453 be "undef".
454
455 The flags are a combination of the following constants, ORed
456 together (the flags will also be passed to the callback, possibly
457 modified):
458
459 IO::AIO::READDIR_DENTS
460 When this flag is off, then the callback gets an arrayref with
461 of names only (as with "aio_readdir"), otherwise it gets an
462 arrayref with "[$name, $type, $inode]" arrayrefs, each
463 describing a single directory entry in more detail.
464
465 $name is the name of the entry.
466
467 $type is one of the "IO::AIO::DT_xxx" constants:
468
469 "IO::AIO::DT_UNKNOWN", "IO::AIO::DT_FIFO", "IO::AIO::DT_CHR",
470 "IO::AIO::DT_DIR", "IO::AIO::DT_BLK", "IO::AIO::DT_REG",
471 "IO::AIO::DT_LNK", "IO::AIO::DT_SOCK", "IO::AIO::DT_WHT".
472
473 "IO::AIO::DT_UNKNOWN" means just that: readdir does not know. If
474 you need to know, you have to run stat yourself. Also, for speed
475 reasons, the $type scalars are read-only: you can not modify
476 them.
477
478 $inode is the inode number (which might not be exact on systems
479 with 64 bit inode numbers and 32 bit perls). This field has
480 unspecified content on systems that do not deliver the inode
481 information.
482
483 IO::AIO::READDIR_DIRS_FIRST
484 When this flag is set, then the names will be returned in an
485 order where likely directories come first. This is useful when
486 you need to quickly find directories, or you want to find all
487 directories while avoiding to stat() each entry.
488
489 If the system returns type information in readdir, then this is
490 used to find directories directly. Otherwise, likely directories
491 are files beginning with ".", or otherwise files with no dots,
492 of which files with short names are tried first.
493
494 IO::AIO::READDIR_STAT_ORDER
495 When this flag is set, then the names will be returned in an
496 order suitable for stat()'ing each one. That is, when you plan
497 to stat() all files in the given directory, then the returned
498 order will likely be fastest.
499
500 If both this flag and "IO::AIO::READDIR_DIRS_FIRST" are
501 specified, then the likely dirs come first, resulting in a less
502 optimal stat order.
503
504 IO::AIO::READDIR_FOUND_UNKNOWN
505 This flag should not be set when calling "aio_readdirx".
506 Instead, it is being set by "aio_readdirx", when any of the
507 $type's found were "IO::AIO::DT_UNKNOWN". The absense of this
508 flag therefore indicates that all $type's are known, which can
509 be used to speed up some algorithms.
510
511 aio_load $path, $data, $callback->($status)
512 This is a composite request that tries to fully load the given file
513 into memory. Status is the same as with aio_read.
514
515 aio_copy $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
516 Try to copy the *file* (directories not supported as either source
517 or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the callback with
518 a status of 0 (ok) or -1 (error, see $!).
519
520 This is a composite request that creates the destination file with
521 mode 0200 and copies the contents of the source file into it using
522 "aio_sendfile", followed by restoring atime, mtime, access mode and
523 uid/gid, in that order.
524
525 If an error occurs, the partial destination file will be unlinked,
526 if possible, except when setting atime, mtime, access mode and
527 uid/gid, where errors are being ignored.
528
529 aio_move $srcpath, $dstpath, $callback->($status)
530 Try to move the *file* (directories not supported as either source
531 or destination) from $srcpath to $dstpath and call the callback with
532 a status of 0 (ok) or -1 (error, see $!).
533
534 This is a composite request that tries to rename(2) the file first;
535 if rename fails with "EXDEV", it copies the file with "aio_copy"
536 and, if that is successful, unlinks the $srcpath.
537
538 aio_scandir $path, $maxreq, $callback->($dirs, $nondirs)
539 Scans a directory (similar to "aio_readdir") but additionally tries
540 to efficiently separate the entries of directory $path into two sets
541 of names, directories you can recurse into (directories), and ones
542 you cannot recurse into (everything else, including symlinks to
543 directories).
544
545 "aio_scandir" is a composite request that creates of many sub
546 requests_ $maxreq specifies the maximum number of outstanding aio
547 requests that this function generates. If it is "<= 0", then a
548 suitable default will be chosen (currently 4).
549
550 On error, the callback is called without arguments, otherwise it
551 receives two array-refs with path-relative entry names.
552
553 Example:
554
555 aio_scandir $dir, 0, sub {
556 my ($dirs, $nondirs) = @_;
557 print "real directories: @$dirs\n";
558 print "everything else: @$nondirs\n";
559 };
560
561 Implementation notes.
562
563 The "aio_readdir" cannot be avoided, but "stat()"'ing every entry
564 can.
565
566 If readdir returns file type information, then this is used directly
567 to find directories.
568
569 Otherwise, after reading the directory, the modification time, size
570 etc. of the directory before and after the readdir is checked, and
571 if they match (and isn't the current time), the link count will be
572 used to decide how many entries are directories (if >= 2).
573 Otherwise, no knowledge of the number of subdirectories will be
574 assumed.
575
576 Then entries will be sorted into likely directories a non-initial
577 dot currently) and likely non-directories (see "aio_readdirx"). Then
578 every entry plus an appended "/." will be "stat"'ed, likely
579 directories first, in order of their inode numbers. If that
580 succeeds, it assumes that the entry is a directory or a symlink to
581 directory (which will be checked seperately). This is often faster
582 than stat'ing the entry itself because filesystems might detect the
583 type of the entry without reading the inode data (e.g. ext2fs
584 filetype feature), even on systems that cannot return the filetype
585 information on readdir.
586
587 If the known number of directories (link count - 2) has been
588 reached, the rest of the entries is assumed to be non-directories.
589
590 This only works with certainty on POSIX (= UNIX) filesystems, which
591 fortunately are the vast majority of filesystems around.
592
593 It will also likely work on non-POSIX filesystems with reduced
594 efficiency as those tend to return 0 or 1 as link counts, which
595 disables the directory counting heuristic.
596
597 aio_rmtree $path, $callback->($status)
598 Delete a directory tree starting (and including) $path, return the
599 status of the final "rmdir" only. This is a composite request that
600 uses "aio_scandir" to recurse into and rmdir directories, and unlink
601 everything else.
602
603 aio_sync $callback->($status)
604 Asynchronously call sync and call the callback when finished.
605
606 aio_fsync $fh, $callback->($status)
607 Asynchronously call fsync on the given filehandle and call the
608 callback with the fsync result code.
609
610 aio_fdatasync $fh, $callback->($status)
611 Asynchronously call fdatasync on the given filehandle and call the
612 callback with the fdatasync result code.
613
614 If this call isn't available because your OS lacks it or it couldn't
615 be detected, it will be emulated by calling "fsync" instead.
616
617 aio_sync_file_range $fh, $offset, $nbytes, $flags, $callback->($status)
618 Sync the data portion of the file specified by $offset and $length
619 to disk (but NOT the metadata), by calling the Linux-specific
620 sync_file_range call. If sync_file_range is not available or it
621 returns ENOSYS, then fdatasync or fsync is being substituted.
622
623 $flags can be a combination of
624 "IO::AIO::SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WAIT_BEFORE",
625 "IO::AIO::SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WRITE" and
626 "IO::AIO::SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WAIT_AFTER": refer to the sync_file_range
627 manpage for details.
628
629 aio_pathsync $path, $callback->($status)
630 This request tries to open, fsync and close the given path. This is
631 a composite request intended to sync directories after directory
632 operations (E.g. rename). This might not work on all operating
633 systems or have any specific effect, but usually it makes sure that
634 directory changes get written to disc. It works for anything that
635 can be opened for read-only, not just directories.
636
637 Future versions of this function might fall back to other methods
638 when "fsync" on the directory fails (such as calling "sync").
639
640 Passes 0 when everything went ok, and -1 on error.
641
642 aio_msync $scalar, $offset = 0, $length = undef, flags = 0,
643 $callback->($status)
644 This is a rather advanced IO::AIO call, which only works on
645 mmap(2)ed scalars (see the Sys::Mmap or Mmap modules for details on
646 this, note that the scalar must only be modified in-place while an
647 aio operation is pending on it).
648
649 It calls the "msync" function of your OS, if available, with the
650 memory area starting at $offset in the string and ending $length
651 bytes later. If $length is negative, counts from the end, and if
652 $length is "undef", then it goes till the end of the string. The
653 flags can be a combination of "IO::AIO::MS_ASYNC",
654 "IO::AIO::MS_INVALIDATE" and "IO::AIO::MS_SYNC".
655
656 aio_mtouch $scalar, $offset = 0, $length = undef, flags = 0,
657 $callback->($status)
658 This is a rather advanced IO::AIO call, which works best on
659 mmap(2)ed scalars.
660
661 It touches (reads or writes) all memory pages in the specified range
662 inside the scalar. All caveats and parameters are the same as for
663 "aio_msync", above, except for flags, which must be either 0 (which
664 reads all pages and ensures they are instantiated) or
665 "IO::AIO::MT_MODIFY", which modifies the memory page s(by reading
666 and writing an octet from it, which dirties the page).
667
668 aio_group $callback->(...)
669 This is a very special aio request: Instead of doing something, it
670 is a container for other aio requests, which is useful if you want
671 to bundle many requests into a single, composite, request with a
672 definite callback and the ability to cancel the whole request with
673 its subrequests.
674
675 Returns an object of class IO::AIO::GRP. See its documentation below
676 for more info.
677
678 Example:
679
680 my $grp = aio_group sub {
681 print "all stats done\n";
682 };
683
684 add $grp
685 (aio_stat ...),
686 (aio_stat ...),
687 ...;
688
689 aio_nop $callback->()
690 This is a special request - it does nothing in itself and is only
691 used for side effects, such as when you want to add a dummy request
692 to a group so that finishing the requests in the group depends on
693 executing the given code.
694
695 While this request does nothing, it still goes through the execution
696 phase and still requires a worker thread. Thus, the callback will
697 not be executed immediately but only after other requests in the
698 queue have entered their execution phase. This can be used to
699 measure request latency.
700
701 IO::AIO::aio_busy $fractional_seconds, $callback->() *NOT EXPORTED*
702 Mainly used for debugging and benchmarking, this aio request puts
703 one of the request workers to sleep for the given time.
704
705 While it is theoretically handy to have simple I/O scheduling
706 requests like sleep and file handle readable/writable, the overhead
707 this creates is immense (it blocks a thread for a long time) so do
708 not use this function except to put your application under
709 artificial I/O pressure.
710
711 IO::AIO::REQ CLASS
712 All non-aggregate "aio_*" functions return an object of this class when
713 called in non-void context.
714
715 cancel $req
716 Cancels the request, if possible. Has the effect of skipping
717 execution when entering the execute state and skipping calling the
718 callback when entering the the result state, but will leave the
719 request otherwise untouched (with the exception of readdir). That
720 means that requests that currently execute will not be stopped and
721 resources held by the request will not be freed prematurely.
722
723 cb $req $callback->(...)
724 Replace (or simply set) the callback registered to the request.
725
726 IO::AIO::GRP CLASS
727 This class is a subclass of IO::AIO::REQ, so all its methods apply to
728 objects of this class, too.
729
730 A IO::AIO::GRP object is a special request that can contain multiple
731 other aio requests.
732
733 You create one by calling the "aio_group" constructing function with a
734 callback that will be called when all contained requests have entered
735 the "done" state:
736
737 my $grp = aio_group sub {
738 print "all requests are done\n";
739 };
740
741 You add requests by calling the "add" method with one or more
742 "IO::AIO::REQ" objects:
743
744 $grp->add (aio_unlink "...");
745
746 add $grp aio_stat "...", sub {
747 $_[0] or return $grp->result ("error");
748
749 # add another request dynamically, if first succeeded
750 add $grp aio_open "...", sub {
751 $grp->result ("ok");
752 };
753 };
754
573 This makes it very easy to create composite requests (see the source 755 This makes it very easy to create composite requests (see the source of
574 of "aio_move" for an application) that work and feel like simple 756 "aio_move" for an application) that work and feel like simple requests.
575 requests.
576 757
577 * The IO::AIO::GRP objects will be cleaned up during calls to 758 * The IO::AIO::GRP objects will be cleaned up during calls to
578 "IO::AIO::poll_cb", just like any other request. 759 "IO::AIO::poll_cb", just like any other request.
760
579 * They can be canceled like any other request. Canceling will cancel 761 * They can be canceled like any other request. Canceling will cancel
580 not only the request itself, but also all requests it contains. 762 not only the request itself, but also all requests it contains.
763
581 * They can also can also be added to other IO::AIO::GRP objects. 764 * They can also can also be added to other IO::AIO::GRP objects.
765
582 * You must not add requests to a group from within the group 766 * You must not add requests to a group from within the group callback
583 callback (or any later time). 767 (or any later time).
584 768
585 Their lifetime, simplified, looks like this: when they are empty, 769 Their lifetime, simplified, looks like this: when they are empty, they
586 they will finish very quickly. If they contain only requests that 770 will finish very quickly. If they contain only requests that are in the
587 are in the "done" state, they will also finish. Otherwise they will 771 "done" state, they will also finish. Otherwise they will continue to
588 continue to exist. 772 exist.
589 773
590 That means after creating a group you have some time to add 774 That means after creating a group you have some time to add requests
775 (precisely before the callback has been invoked, which is only done
591 requests. And in the callbacks of those requests, you can add 776 within the "poll_cb"). And in the callbacks of those requests, you can
592 further requests to the group. And only when all those requests have 777 add further requests to the group. And only when all those requests have
593 finished will the the group itself finish. 778 finished will the the group itself finish.
594 779
595 add $grp ... 780 add $grp ...
596 $grp->add (...) 781 $grp->add (...)
597 Add one or more requests to the group. Any type of IO::AIO::REQ 782 Add one or more requests to the group. Any type of IO::AIO::REQ can
598 can be added, including other groups, as long as you do not 783 be added, including other groups, as long as you do not create
599 create circular dependencies. 784 circular dependencies.
600 785
601 Returns all its arguments. 786 Returns all its arguments.
602 787
603 $grp->cancel_subs 788 $grp->cancel_subs
604 Cancel all subrequests and clears any feeder, but not the group 789 Cancel all subrequests and clears any feeder, but not the group
605 request itself. Useful when you queued a lot of events but got a 790 request itself. Useful when you queued a lot of events but got a
606 result early. 791 result early.
607 792
793 The group request will finish normally (you cannot add requests to
794 the group).
795
608 $grp->result (...) 796 $grp->result (...)
609 Set the result value(s) that will be passed to the group 797 Set the result value(s) that will be passed to the group callback
610 callback when all subrequests have finished and set thre groups 798 when all subrequests have finished and set the groups errno to the
611 errno to the current value of errno (just like calling "errno" 799 current value of errno (just like calling "errno" without an error
612 without an error number). By default, no argument will be passed 800 number). By default, no argument will be passed and errno is zero.
613 and errno is zero.
614 801
615 $grp->errno ([$errno]) 802 $grp->errno ([$errno])
616 Sets the group errno value to $errno, or the current value of 803 Sets the group errno value to $errno, or the current value of errno
617 errno when the argument is missing. 804 when the argument is missing.
618 805
619 Every aio request has an associated errno value that is restored 806 Every aio request has an associated errno value that is restored
620 when the callback is invoked. This method lets you change this 807 when the callback is invoked. This method lets you change this value
621 value from its default (0). 808 from its default (0).
622 809
623 Calling "result" will also set errno, so make sure you either 810 Calling "result" will also set errno, so make sure you either set $!
624 set $! before the call to "result", or call c<errno> after it. 811 before the call to "result", or call c<errno> after it.
625 812
626 feed $grp $callback->($grp) 813 feed $grp $callback->($grp)
627 Sets a feeder/generator on this group: every group can have an 814 Sets a feeder/generator on this group: every group can have an
628 attached generator that generates requests if idle. The idea 815 attached generator that generates requests if idle. The idea behind
629 behind this is that, although you could just queue as many 816 this is that, although you could just queue as many requests as you
630 requests as you want in a group, this might starve other 817 want in a group, this might starve other requests for a potentially
631 requests for a potentially long time. For example, "aio_scandir" 818 long time. For example, "aio_scandir" might generate hundreds of
632 might generate hundreds of thousands "aio_stat" requests, 819 thousands "aio_stat" requests, delaying any later requests for a
633 delaying any later requests for a long time. 820 long time.
634 821
635 To avoid this, and allow incremental generation of requests, you 822 To avoid this, and allow incremental generation of requests, you can
636 can instead a group and set a feeder on it that generates those 823 instead a group and set a feeder on it that generates those
637 requests. The feed callback will be called whenever there are 824 requests. The feed callback will be called whenever there are few
638 few enough (see "limit", below) requests active in the group 825 enough (see "limit", below) requests active in the group itself and
639 itself and is expected to queue more requests. 826 is expected to queue more requests.
640 827
641 The feed callback can queue as many requests as it likes (i.e. 828 The feed callback can queue as many requests as it likes (i.e. "add"
642 "add" does not impose any limits). 829 does not impose any limits).
643 830
644 If the feed does not queue more requests when called, it will be 831 If the feed does not queue more requests when called, it will be
645 automatically removed from the group. 832 automatically removed from the group.
646 833
647 If the feed limit is 0, it will be set to 2 automatically. 834 If the feed limit is 0 when this method is called, it will be set to
835 2 automatically.
648 836
649 Example: 837 Example:
650 838
651 # stat all files in @files, but only ever use four aio requests concurrently: 839 # stat all files in @files, but only ever use four aio requests concurrently:
652 840
653 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "finished\n" }; 841 my $grp = aio_group sub { print "finished\n" };
654 limit $grp 4; 842 limit $grp 4;
655 feed $grp sub { 843 feed $grp sub {
656 my $file = pop @files 844 my $file = pop @files
657 or return; 845 or return;
658 846
659 add $grp aio_stat $file, sub { ... }; 847 add $grp aio_stat $file, sub { ... };
660 }; 848 };
661 849
662 limit $grp $num 850 limit $grp $num
663 Sets the feeder limit for the group: The feeder will be called 851 Sets the feeder limit for the group: The feeder will be called
664 whenever the group contains less than this many requests. 852 whenever the group contains less than this many requests.
665 853
666 Setting the limit to 0 will pause the feeding process. 854 Setting the limit to 0 will pause the feeding process.
855
856 The default value for the limit is 0, but note that setting a feeder
857 automatically bumps it up to 2.
667 858
668 SUPPORT FUNCTIONS 859 SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
669 EVENT PROCESSING AND EVENT LOOP INTEGRATION 860 EVENT PROCESSING AND EVENT LOOP INTEGRATION
670 $fileno = IO::AIO::poll_fileno 861 $fileno = IO::AIO::poll_fileno
671 Return the *request result pipe file descriptor*. This 862 Return the *request result pipe file descriptor*. This filehandle
672 filehandle must be polled for reading by some mechanism outside 863 must be polled for reading by some mechanism outside this module
673 this module (e.g. Event or select, see below or the SYNOPSIS). 864 (e.g. EV, Glib, select and so on, see below or the SYNOPSIS). If the
674 If the pipe becomes readable you have to call "poll_cb" to check 865 pipe becomes readable you have to call "poll_cb" to check the
675 the results. 866 results.
676 867
677 See "poll_cb" for an example. 868 See "poll_cb" for an example.
678 869
679 IO::AIO::poll_cb 870 IO::AIO::poll_cb
680 Process some outstanding events on the result pipe. You have to 871 Process some outstanding events on the result pipe. You have to call
681 call this regularly. Returns the number of events processed. 872 this regularly. Returns 0 if all events could be processed, or -1 if
682 Returns immediately when no events are outstanding. The amount 873 it returned earlier for whatever reason. Returns immediately when no
683 of events processed depends on the settings of 874 events are outstanding. The amount of events processed depends on
684 "IO::AIO::max_poll_req" and "IO::AIO::max_poll_time". 875 the settings of "IO::AIO::max_poll_req" and
876 "IO::AIO::max_poll_time".
685 877
686 If not all requests were processed for whatever reason, the 878 If not all requests were processed for whatever reason, the
687 filehandle will still be ready when "poll_cb" returns. 879 filehandle will still be ready when "poll_cb" returns, so normally
880 you don't have to do anything special to have it called later.
688 881
689 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls 882 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls
690 IO::AIO::poll_cb with high priority: 883 IO::AIO::poll_cb with high priority (more examples can be found in
884 the SYNOPSIS section, at the top of this document):
691 885
692 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 886 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
693 poll => 'r', async => 1, 887 poll => 'r', async => 1,
694 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb); 888 cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
695 889
696 IO::AIO::max_poll_reqs $nreqs 890 IO::AIO::max_poll_reqs $nreqs
697 IO::AIO::max_poll_time $seconds 891 IO::AIO::max_poll_time $seconds
698 These set the maximum number of requests (default 0, meaning 892 These set the maximum number of requests (default 0, meaning
699 infinity) that are being processed by "IO::AIO::poll_cb" in one 893 infinity) that are being processed by "IO::AIO::poll_cb" in one
700 call, respectively the maximum amount of time (default 0, 894 call, respectively the maximum amount of time (default 0, meaning
701 meaning infinity) spent in "IO::AIO::poll_cb" to process 895 infinity) spent in "IO::AIO::poll_cb" to process requests (more
702 requests (more correctly the mininum amount of time "poll_cb" is 896 correctly the mininum amount of time "poll_cb" is allowed to use).
703 allowed to use).
704 897
898 Setting "max_poll_time" to a non-zero value creates an overhead of
899 one syscall per request processed, which is not normally a problem
900 unless your callbacks are really really fast or your OS is really
901 really slow (I am not mentioning Solaris here). Using
902 "max_poll_reqs" incurs no overhead.
903
705 Setting these is useful if you want to ensure some level of 904 Setting these is useful if you want to ensure some level of
706 interactiveness when perl is not fast enough to process all 905 interactiveness when perl is not fast enough to process all requests
707 requests in time. 906 in time.
708 907
709 For interactive programs, values such as 0.01 to 0.1 should be 908 For interactive programs, values such as 0.01 to 0.1 should be fine.
710 fine.
711 909
712 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls 910 Example: Install an Event watcher that automatically calls
713 IO::AIO::poll_some with low priority, to ensure that other parts 911 IO::AIO::poll_cb with low priority, to ensure that other parts of
714 of the program get the CPU sometimes even under high AIO load. 912 the program get the CPU sometimes even under high AIO load.
715 913
716 # try not to spend much more than 0.1s in poll_cb 914 # try not to spend much more than 0.1s in poll_cb
717 IO::AIO::max_poll_time 0.1; 915 IO::AIO::max_poll_time 0.1;
718 916
719 # use a low priority so other tasks have priority 917 # use a low priority so other tasks have priority
720 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, 918 Event->io (fd => IO::AIO::poll_fileno,
721 poll => 'r', nice => 1, 919 poll => 'r', nice => 1,
722 cb => &IO::AIO::poll_cb); 920 cb => &IO::AIO::poll_cb);
723 921
724 IO::AIO::poll_wait 922 IO::AIO::poll_wait
923 If there are any outstanding requests and none of them in the result
725 Wait till the result filehandle becomes ready for reading 924 phase, wait till the result filehandle becomes ready for reading
726 (simply does a "select" on the filehandle. This is useful if you 925 (simply does a "select" on the filehandle. This is useful if you
727 want to synchronously wait for some requests to finish). 926 want to synchronously wait for some requests to finish).
728 927
729 See "nreqs" for an example. 928 See "nreqs" for an example.
730 929
731 IO::AIO::poll 930 IO::AIO::poll
732 Waits until some requests have been handled. 931 Waits until some requests have been handled.
733 932
933 Returns the number of requests processed, but is otherwise strictly
734 Strictly equivalent to: 934 equivalent to:
735 935
736 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 936 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
737 if IO::AIO::nreqs;
738 937
739 IO::AIO::flush 938 IO::AIO::flush
740 Wait till all outstanding AIO requests have been handled. 939 Wait till all outstanding AIO requests have been handled.
741 940
742 Strictly equivalent to: 941 Strictly equivalent to:
743 942
744 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 943 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
745 while IO::AIO::nreqs; 944 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
746 945
747 CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF THREADS 946 CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF THREADS
748 IO::AIO::min_parallel $nthreads 947 IO::AIO::min_parallel $nthreads
749 Set the minimum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. The current 948 Set the minimum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. The current
750 default is 8, which means eight asynchronous operations can 949 default is 8, which means eight asynchronous operations can execute
751 execute concurrently at any one time (the number of outstanding 950 concurrently at any one time (the number of outstanding requests,
752 requests, however, is unlimited). 951 however, is unlimited).
753 952
754 IO::AIO starts threads only on demand, when an AIO request is 953 IO::AIO starts threads only on demand, when an AIO request is queued
755 queued and no free thread exists. Please note that queueing up a 954 and no free thread exists. Please note that queueing up a hundred
756 hundred requests can create demand for a hundred threads, even 955 requests can create demand for a hundred threads, even if it turns
757 if it turns out that everything is in the cache and could have 956 out that everything is in the cache and could have been processed
758 been processed faster by a single thread. 957 faster by a single thread.
759 958
760 It is recommended to keep the number of threads relatively low, 959 It is recommended to keep the number of threads relatively low, as
761 as some Linux kernel versions will scale negatively with the 960 some Linux kernel versions will scale negatively with the number of
762 number of threads (higher parallelity => MUCH higher latency). 961 threads (higher parallelity => MUCH higher latency). With current
763 With current Linux 2.6 versions, 4-32 threads should be fine. 962 Linux 2.6 versions, 4-32 threads should be fine.
764 963
765 Under most circumstances you don't need to call this function, 964 Under most circumstances you don't need to call this function, as
766 as the module selects a default that is suitable for low to 965 the module selects a default that is suitable for low to moderate
767 moderate load. 966 load.
768 967
769 IO::AIO::max_parallel $nthreads 968 IO::AIO::max_parallel $nthreads
770 Sets the maximum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. If more 969 Sets the maximum number of AIO threads to $nthreads. If more than
771 than the specified number of threads are currently running, this 970 the specified number of threads are currently running, this function
772 function kills them. This function blocks until the limit is 971 kills them. This function blocks until the limit is reached.
773 reached.
774 972
775 While $nthreads are zero, aio requests get queued but not 973 While $nthreads are zero, aio requests get queued but not executed
776 executed until the number of threads has been increased again. 974 until the number of threads has been increased again.
777 975
778 This module automatically runs "max_parallel 0" at program end, 976 This module automatically runs "max_parallel 0" at program end, to
779 to ensure that all threads are killed and that there are no 977 ensure that all threads are killed and that there are no outstanding
780 outstanding requests. 978 requests.
781 979
782 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function. 980 Under normal circumstances you don't need to call this function.
783 981
784 IO::AIO::max_idle $nthreads 982 IO::AIO::max_idle $nthreads
785 Limit the number of threads (default: 4) that are allowed to 983 Limit the number of threads (default: 4) that are allowed to idle
786 idle (i.e., threads that did not get a request to process within 984 (i.e., threads that did not get a request to process within 10
787 10 seconds). That means if a thread becomes idle while $nthreads 985 seconds). That means if a thread becomes idle while $nthreads other
788 other threads are also idle, it will free its resources and 986 threads are also idle, it will free its resources and exit.
789 exit.
790 987
791 This is useful when you allow a large number of threads (e.g. 988 This is useful when you allow a large number of threads (e.g. 100 or
792 100 or 1000) to allow for extremely high load situations, but 989 1000) to allow for extremely high load situations, but want to free
793 want to free resources under normal circumstances (1000 threads 990 resources under normal circumstances (1000 threads can easily
794 can easily consume 30MB of RAM). 991 consume 30MB of RAM).
795 992
796 The default is probably ok in most situations, especially if 993 The default is probably ok in most situations, especially if thread
797 thread creation is fast. If thread creation is very slow on your 994 creation is fast. If thread creation is very slow on your system you
798 system you might want to use larger values. 995 might want to use larger values.
799 996
800 $oldmaxreqs = IO::AIO::max_outstanding $maxreqs 997 IO::AIO::max_outstanding $maxreqs
801 This is a very bad function to use in interactive programs 998 This is a very bad function to use in interactive programs because
802 because it blocks, and a bad way to reduce concurrency because 999 it blocks, and a bad way to reduce concurrency because it is
803 it is inexact: Better use an "aio_group" together with a feed 1000 inexact: Better use an "aio_group" together with a feed callback.
804 callback.
805 1001
806 Sets the maximum number of outstanding requests to $nreqs. If 1002 Sets the maximum number of outstanding requests to $nreqs. If you do
807 you to queue up more than this number of requests, the next call 1003 queue up more than this number of requests, the next call to the
808 to the "poll_cb" (and "poll_some" and other functions calling 1004 "poll_cb" (and "poll_some" and other functions calling "poll_cb")
809 "poll_cb") function will block until the limit is no longer 1005 function will block until the limit is no longer exceeded.
810 exceeded.
811 1006
812 The default value is very large, so there is no practical limit 1007 The default value is very large, so there is no practical limit on
813 on the number of outstanding requests. 1008 the number of outstanding requests.
814 1009
815 You can still queue as many requests as you want. Therefore, 1010 You can still queue as many requests as you want. Therefore,
816 "max_oustsanding" is mainly useful in simple scripts (with low 1011 "max_outstanding" is mainly useful in simple scripts (with low
817 values) or as a stop gap to shield against fatal memory overflow 1012 values) or as a stop gap to shield against fatal memory overflow
818 (with large values). 1013 (with large values).
819 1014
820 STATISTICAL INFORMATION 1015 STATISTICAL INFORMATION
821 IO::AIO::nreqs 1016 IO::AIO::nreqs
822 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready, execute 1017 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready, execute or
823 or pending states (i.e. for which their callback has not been 1018 pending states (i.e. for which their callback has not been invoked
824 invoked yet). 1019 yet).
825 1020
826 Example: wait till there are no outstanding requests anymore: 1021 Example: wait till there are no outstanding requests anymore:
827 1022
828 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb 1023 IO::AIO::poll_wait, IO::AIO::poll_cb
829 while IO::AIO::nreqs; 1024 while IO::AIO::nreqs;
830 1025
831 IO::AIO::nready 1026 IO::AIO::nready
832 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready state (not 1027 Returns the number of requests currently in the ready state (not yet
833 yet executed). 1028 executed).
834 1029
835 IO::AIO::npending 1030 IO::AIO::npending
836 Returns the number of requests currently in the pending state 1031 Returns the number of requests currently in the pending state
837 (executed, but not yet processed by poll_cb). 1032 (executed, but not yet processed by poll_cb).
1033
1034 MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
1035 IO::AIO implements some functions that might be useful, but are not
1036 asynchronous.
1037
1038 IO::AIO::sendfile $ofh, $ifh, $offset, $count
1039 Calls the "eio_sendfile_sync" function, which is like
1040 "aio_sendfile", but is blocking (this makes most sense if you know
1041 the input data is likely cached already and the output filehandle is
1042 set to non-blocking operations).
1043
1044 Returns the number of bytes copied, or -1 on error.
1045
1046 IO::AIO::fadvise $fh, $offset, $len, $advice
1047 Simply calls the "posix_fadvise" function (see it's manpage for
1048 details). The following advice constants are avaiable:
1049 "IO::AIO::FADV_NORMAL", "IO::AIO::FADV_SEQUENTIAL",
1050 "IO::AIO::FADV_RANDOM", "IO::AIO::FADV_NOREUSE",
1051 "IO::AIO::FADV_WILLNEED", "IO::AIO::FADV_DONTNEED".
1052
1053 On systems that do not implement "posix_fadvise", this function
1054 returns ENOSYS, otherwise the return value of "posix_fadvise".
838 1055
839 FORK BEHAVIOUR 1056 FORK BEHAVIOUR
840 This module should do "the right thing" when the process using it 1057 This module should do "the right thing" when the process using it forks:
841 forks:
842 1058
843 Before the fork, IO::AIO enters a quiescent state where no requests 1059 Before the fork, IO::AIO enters a quiescent state where no requests can
844 can be added in other threads and no results will be processed. 1060 be added in other threads and no results will be processed. After the
845 After the fork the parent simply leaves the quiescent state and 1061 fork the parent simply leaves the quiescent state and continues
846 continues request/result processing, while the child frees the 1062 request/result processing, while the child frees the request/result
847 request/result queue (so that the requests started before the fork 1063 queue (so that the requests started before the fork will only be handled
848 will only be handled in the parent). Threads will be started on 1064 in the parent). Threads will be started on demand until the limit set in
849 demand until the limit set in the parent process has been reached 1065 the parent process has been reached again.
850 again.
851 1066
852 In short: the parent will, after a short pause, continue as if fork 1067 In short: the parent will, after a short pause, continue as if fork had
853 had not been called, while the child will act as if IO::AIO has not 1068 not been called, while the child will act as if IO::AIO has not been
854 been used yet. 1069 used yet.
855 1070
856 MEMORY USAGE 1071 MEMORY USAGE
857 Per-request usage: 1072 Per-request usage:
858 1073
859 Each aio request uses - depending on your architecture - around 1074 Each aio request uses - depending on your architecture - around 100-200
860 100-200 bytes of memory. In addition, stat requests need a stat 1075 bytes of memory. In addition, stat requests need a stat buffer (possibly
861 buffer (possibly a few hundred bytes), readdir requires a result 1076 a few hundred bytes), readdir requires a result buffer and so on. Perl
862 buffer and so on. Perl scalars and other data passed into aio 1077 scalars and other data passed into aio requests will also be locked and
863 requests will also be locked and will consume memory till the 1078 will consume memory till the request has entered the done state.
864 request has entered the done state.
865 1079
866 This is now awfully much, so queuing lots of requests is not usually 1080 This is not awfully much, so queuing lots of requests is not usually a
867 a problem. 1081 problem.
868 1082
869 Per-thread usage: 1083 Per-thread usage:
870 1084
871 In the execution phase, some aio requests require more memory for 1085 In the execution phase, some aio requests require more memory for
872 temporary buffers, and each thread requires a stack and other data 1086 temporary buffers, and each thread requires a stack and other data
873 structures (usually around 16k-128k, depending on the OS). 1087 structures (usually around 16k-128k, depending on the OS).
874 1088
875KNOWN BUGS 1089KNOWN BUGS
876 Known bugs will be fixed in the next release. 1090 Known bugs will be fixed in the next release.
877 1091
878SEE ALSO 1092SEE ALSO
879 Coro::AIO. 1093 AnyEvent::AIO for easy integration into event loops, Coro::AIO for a
1094 more natural syntax.
880 1095
881AUTHOR 1096AUTHOR
882 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1097 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
883 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1098 http://home.schmorp.de/
884 1099

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