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Revision 1.71 by root, Sun Aug 30 19:52:56 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.121 by root, Tue Feb 28 18:37:24 2012 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent::MP - multi-processing/message-passing framework 3AnyEvent::MP - erlang-style multi-processing/message-passing framework
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use AnyEvent::MP; 7 use AnyEvent::MP;
8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's node ID
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's node ID
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 11
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 12 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14 13
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages 14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; 15 configure;
17 16
18 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
19 18
20 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
21 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
22 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
24 23
25 # creating/using ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
27 26
28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
29 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
32 31
33 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
34 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
35 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
36 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
37 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
38 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
39 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 42 mon $localport, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
43
44 # temporarily execute code in port context
45 peval $port, sub { die "kill the port!" };
46
47 # execute callbacks in $SELF port context
48 my $timer = AE::timer 1, 0, psub {
49 die "kill the port, delayed";
50 };
40 51
41=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
42 53
43 bin/aemp - stable. 54 bin/aemp - stable.
44 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work. 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - uptodate, but incomplete. 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable. 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
48
49 stay tuned.
50 59
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
52 61
53This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
54 63
56on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
57 66
58For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 67For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
59manual page and the examples under F<eg/>. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
60 69
61At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
62
63=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
64 71
65=over 4 72=over 4
66 73
67=item port 74=item port
68 75
69A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 76Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
77messages to (with the C<snd> function).
70 78
71Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just 79Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
72some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
73anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
74 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
75=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
76 86
77A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 87A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
78separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). 88separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
79 89
83which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 93which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
84ports. 94ports.
85 95
86Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 96Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
87(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 97(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
88currently. 98currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
89 99
100Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
101
90=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 102=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
91 103
92A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a 104A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
93network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 105network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
94hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself 106hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
95doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 107doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
96 108
97=item binds - C<ip:port> 109=item binds - C<ip:port>
98 110
99Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to 111Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
100each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport 112each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
113endpoints - binds.
114
101endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 115Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
102be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on. 116specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
117in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes.
103 118
119=item seed nodes
120
121When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
122needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
123network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
124
125Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
126some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
127node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
128
129In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
130maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
131the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g.
132the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed
133nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
134
135Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
136should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
137seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
138
139For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed
140nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed
141nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for
142each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a
143complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets
144forever.
145
146Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs.
147
104=item seeds - C<host:port> 148=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
105 149
106When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node 150Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
107about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 151TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
108network. This node is called a seed.
109 152
110Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 153=item global nodes
111are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
112be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
113error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
114join the network.
115 154
116Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way - 155An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
117every public node can be a seednode. 156connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a
157distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings
158- for example, to register worker ports.
159
160A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to
161be a global node.
162
163Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global
164node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can
165make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes
166sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes
167keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so makign them the same
168reduces overhead).
118 169
119=back 170=back
120 171
121=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 172=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
122 173
124 175
125=cut 176=cut
126 177
127package AnyEvent::MP; 178package AnyEvent::MP;
128 179
180use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
129use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 181use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
130 183
131use common::sense; 184use common::sense;
132 185
133use Carp (); 186use Carp ();
134 187
135use AE (); 188use AE ();
136 189
137use base "Exporter"; 190use base "Exporter";
138 191
139our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 192our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
140 193
141our @EXPORT = qw( 194our @EXPORT = qw(
142 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 195 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
143 initialise_node 196 configure
144 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 197 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
145 port 198 port
146); 199);
147 200
148our $SELF; 201our $SELF;
149 202
155 208
156=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 209=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
157 210
158The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node 211The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
159ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by 212ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
160a call to C<initialise_node>. 213a call to C<configure>.
161 214
162=item $nodeid = node_of $port 215=item $nodeid = node_of $port
163 216
164Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. 217Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
165 218
166=item initialise_node $profile_name, key => value... 219=item configure $profile, key => value...
220
221=item configure key => value...
167 222
168Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 223Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
169"distributed mode") it has to initialise itself - the minimum a node needs 224"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
170to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 225to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
171some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 226some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
172 227
173This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 228This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
174never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 229never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
175 230
176The first argument is a profile name. If it is C<undef> or missing, then 231The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
177the current nodename will be used instead (i.e. F<uname -n>). 232F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with two additions:
178 233
234=over 4
235
236=item norc => $boolean (default false)
237
238If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
239be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
240C<configure> call.
241
242=item force => $boolean (default false)
243
244IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
245precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
246the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
247
248=back
249
250=over 4
251
252=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
253
179The function first looks up the profile in the aemp configuration (see the 254The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
180L<aemp> commandline utility). the profile is calculated as follows: 255L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
256named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
257missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
181 258
259The profile data is then gathered as follows:
260
182First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conviniently 261First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
183undocumented at the moment) will be used. Then they will be overwritten by 262undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
184any values specified in the global default configuration (see the F<aemp> 263data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
185utility), then the chain of profiles selected, if any. That means that 264default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
265profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
266
186the values specified in the profile have highest priority and the values 267That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
187specified via C<initialise_node> have lowest priority. 268and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
269and can only be used to specify defaults.
188 270
189If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 271If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
190this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 272this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
191special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 273special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
274
275=item step 2, bind listener sockets
192 276
193The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 277The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
194aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 278aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
195to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the 279to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
196outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no 280outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
197binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes). 281binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
198 282
199If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is 283If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
200used. 284used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
285local IP address it finds.
201 286
287=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
288
202Lastly, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 289As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
203L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 290L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
204connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time. 291connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
205 292
206Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or 293=back
207the one specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the 294
295Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
208most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 296This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
209 297
210 initialise_node; 298 configure
211 299
212Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 300Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
213clients. 301clients.
214 302
215 initialise_node "anon/"; 303 configure nodeid => "anon/";
216 304
217Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given 305Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
218name, or no binds list was specified, resolve C<localhost:4044> and bind 306for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
219on the resulting addresses. 307customary for aemp).
220 308
221 initialise_node "localhost:4044"; 309 # use the aemp commandline utility
310 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040'
311
312 # then use it
313 configure profile => "seed";
314
315 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
316 # aemp run profile seed
317
318 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
319 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
222 320
223=item $SELF 321=item $SELF
224 322
225Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 323Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
226blocks. 324blocks.
287sub _kilme { 385sub _kilme {
288 die "received message on port without callback"; 386 die "received message on port without callback";
289} 387}
290 388
291sub port(;&) { 389sub port(;&) {
292 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 390 my $id = "$UNIQ." . ++$ID;
293 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 391 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
294 392
295 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 393 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
296 394
297 $port 395 $port
336 msg1 => sub { ... }, 434 msg1 => sub { ... },
337 ... 435 ...
338 ; 436 ;
339 437
340Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 438Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
341(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 439(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
342 440
343 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 441 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
344 my @reply = @_; 442 my @reply = @_;
345 443
346 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 444 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
348 446
349=cut 447=cut
350 448
351sub rcv($@) { 449sub rcv($@) {
352 my $port = shift; 450 my $port = shift;
353 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 451 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
354 452
355 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 453 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
356 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 454 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
357 455
358 while (@_) { 456 while (@_) {
359 if (ref $_[0]) { 457 if (ref $_[0]) {
360 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 458 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
361 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 459 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
362 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 460 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
363 461
364 $self->[2] = shift; 462 $self->[0] = shift;
365 } else { 463 } else {
366 my $cb = shift; 464 my $cb = shift;
367 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 465 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
368 local $SELF = $port; 466 local $SELF = $port;
369 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 467 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
370 }; 468 };
371 } 469 }
372 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 470 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
373 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 471 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
374 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 472 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
375 473
376 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 474 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
377 local $SELF = $port; 475 local $SELF = $port;
378 476
379 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 477 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
401 } 499 }
402 500
403 $port 501 $port
404} 502}
405 503
504=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
505
506Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
507when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
508
509Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
510be returned to the caller.
511
512This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
513a port.
514
515Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
516
517 my $port = port { ... };
518
519 peval $port, sub {
520 init
521 or die "unable to init";
522 };
523
524=cut
525
526sub peval($$) {
527 local $SELF = shift;
528 my $cb = shift;
529
530 if (wantarray) {
531 my @res = eval { &$cb };
532 _self_die if $@;
533 @res
534 } else {
535 my $res = eval { &$cb };
536 _self_die if $@;
537 $res
538 }
539}
540
406=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 541=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
407 542
408Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 543Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
409closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 544closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
410callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 545callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
546
547The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
548BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
411 549
412This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 550This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
413 551
414 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 552 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
415 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 553 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
451 589
452Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 590Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
453messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 591messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
454to stop monitoring again. 592to stop monitoring again.
455 593
594In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
595number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
596"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
597C<eval> if unsure.
598
599In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
600will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
601"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
602port is killed with the same reason.
603
604The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
605C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
606
607In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
608C<snd>.
609
610Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
611alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
612
613As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
614a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
615lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
616even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
617to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
618these problems do not exist.
619
456C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 620C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
457after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 621after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
458arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 622arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
459loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 623loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
460the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 624the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
461port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 625port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
462delivered again. 626delivered again.
463 627
464Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 628Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
465monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 629used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
630relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
631non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
466 632
467In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 633This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
468number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 634stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
469"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 635to ensure some maximum latency.
470C<eval> if unsure.
471
472In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
473will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
474"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
475port is killed with the same reason.
476
477The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
478C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
479
480In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
481C<snd>.
482
483As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
484a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
485lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
486even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
487to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
488these problems do not exist.
489 636
490Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 637Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
491 638
492 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 639 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
493 640
500 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 647 mon $port, $self => "restart";
501 648
502=cut 649=cut
503 650
504sub mon { 651sub mon {
505 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 652 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
506 653
507 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 654 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
508 655
509 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 656 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
510 657
511 unless (ref $cb) { 658 unless (ref $cb) {
512 if (@_) { 659 if (@_) {
521 } 668 }
522 669
523 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 670 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
524 671
525 defined wantarray 672 defined wantarray
526 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 673 and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
527} 674}
528 675
529=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 676=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
530 677
531Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 678Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
554 701
555=item kil $port[, @reason] 702=item kil $port[, @reason]
556 703
557Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 704Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
558 705
559If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 706If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
560monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 707monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
561"normally"). 708(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
562 709
563Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 710If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
564C<mon>, see above). 711form) get killed with the same reason.
565 712
566Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 713Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
567will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 714will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
568 715
569Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 716Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
588the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 735the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
589C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 736C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
590exists or it runs out of package names. 737exists or it runs out of package names.
591 738
592The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 739The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
593object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 740object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
741call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
742the port might not get created.
594 743
595A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 744A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
596port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 745port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
597local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 746local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
598when there is a problem. 747when there is a problem.
599 748
749C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
750caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
751called for the local node).
752
600Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 753Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
601 754
602 # this node, executed from within a port context: 755 # this node, executed from within a port context:
603 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 756 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
604 mon $server; 757 mon $server;
618 771
619sub _spawn { 772sub _spawn {
620 my $port = shift; 773 my $port = shift;
621 my $init = shift; 774 my $init = shift;
622 775
776 # rcv will create the actual port
623 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 777 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
624 eval { 778 eval {
625 &{ load_func $init } 779 &{ load_func $init }
626 }; 780 };
627 _self_die if $@; 781 _self_die if $@;
628} 782}
629 783
630sub spawn(@) { 784sub spawn(@) {
631 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 785 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
632 786
633 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 787 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . ++$ID;
634 788
635 $_[0] =~ /::/ 789 $_[0] =~ /::/
636 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 790 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
637 791
638 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 792 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
639 793
640 "$noderef#$id" 794 "$nodeid#$id"
641} 795}
796
642 797
643=item after $timeout, @msg 798=item after $timeout, @msg
644 799
645=item after $timeout, $callback 800=item after $timeout, $callback
646 801
662 ? $action[0]() 817 ? $action[0]()
663 : snd @action; 818 : snd @action;
664 }; 819 };
665} 820}
666 821
822=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
823
824A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
825given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
826
827The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
828the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
829
830A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
831
832If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
833then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
834elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
835
836If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
837monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
838
839Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
840might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
841this is indeed useful for something.
842
843=cut
844
845sub cal(@) {
846 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
847 my $cb = pop;
848
849 my $port = port {
850 undef $timeout;
851 kil $SELF;
852 &$cb;
853 };
854
855 if (defined $timeout) {
856 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
857 undef $timeout;
858 kil $port;
859 $cb->();
860 };
861 } else {
862 mon $_[0], sub {
863 kil $port;
864 $cb->();
865 };
866 }
867
868 push @_, $port;
869 &snd;
870
871 $port
872}
873
667=back 874=back
668 875
669=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 876=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
670 877
671AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 878AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
672== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 879== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
673programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 880programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
674sample: 881sample:
675 882
676 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 883 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
677 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 884 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
678 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 885 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
679 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 886 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
680 887
681Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 888Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
682 889
683=over 4 890=over 4
684 891
685=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 892=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
686 893
687Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 894Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
688way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 895way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
689configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 896configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
897will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
690 898
691=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 899=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
692uses "local ports are like remote ports". 900uses "local ports are like remote ports".
693 901
694The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 902The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
703ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 911ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
704occur. 912occur.
705 913
706=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 914=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
707 915
708Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 916Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
709needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 917therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
710useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 918no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
711AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 919of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
712filter messages without dequeing them. 920filter messages without dequeuing them.
713 921
714(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 922This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
923being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
924
925You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
926top of AEMP and Coro threads.
715 927
716=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 928=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
717 929
718Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 930Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
931a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
719so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 932need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
720connection establishment is handled in the background. 933establishment is handled in the background.
721 934
722=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 935=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
723 936
724Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 937Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
725without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 938lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
726and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 939b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
727 940
728AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 941AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
729is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 942guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
730monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 943same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
731sequence. 944no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
945
946If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
947corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
948simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
949link goes down.
732 950
733=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 951=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
734 952
735In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 953In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
736known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 954process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
737destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 955causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
956process.
738 957
739AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 958AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
740around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 959around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
741 960
742=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 961=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
743authentication and can use TLS. 962authentication and can use TLS.
744 963
747 966
748=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 967=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
749communications. 968communications.
750 969
751The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 970The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
752language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 971language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
753language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 972language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
754used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 973used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
755 974
756It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 975It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
757with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 976with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
758protocol simple. 977protocol simple.
759 978
760=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 979=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
761 980
762In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 981In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
763or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 982I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
764difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 983difficult to implement.
765Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 984
766on a per-process basis. 985Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
986between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
767 987
768=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 988=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
769 989
770Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 990Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
771same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 991same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
793overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1013overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
794 1014
795Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1015Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
796procedures to be "valid". 1016procedures to be "valid".
797 1017
798And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1018And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
799global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1019code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
800 1020
801=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1021=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
802 1022
803In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1023In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
804format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1024format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
820 1040
821L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1041L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
822 1042
823L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1043L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
824 1044
825L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1045L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
826your applications. 1046your applications.
1047
1048L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1049
1050L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1051all nodes.
827 1052
828L<AnyEvent>. 1053L<AnyEvent>.
829 1054
830=head1 AUTHOR 1055=head1 AUTHOR
831 1056

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