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Revision 1.37 by root, Fri Aug 7 16:47:23 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.53 by root, Fri Aug 14 15:31:21 2009 UTC

8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's noderef
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port 11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 12
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; # -OR-
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
19
20 # ports are message endpoints
21
22 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 23 snd $port, type => data...;
24 snd $port, @msg;
25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 26
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 27 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
16 29
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 30 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
18 31 my $port = port;
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 32 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 33 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1;
23 34
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 35 # create a port on another node
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 36 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
27 37
28 # monitoring 38 # monitoring
29 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
30 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
31 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
32 42
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable
49
50 stay tuned.
51
33=head1 DESCRIPTION 52=head1 DESCRIPTION
34 53
35This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
36 55
37Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
40For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
41manual page. 60manual page.
42 61
43At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
44so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace - 63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
45stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however. 64stay tuned!
46 65
47=head1 CONCEPTS 66=head1 CONCEPTS
48 67
49=over 4 68=over 4
50 69
51=item port 70=item port
52 71
53A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 72A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function).
54 73
55Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 74Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
56messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 75some messages. Messages will not be queued.
57will not be queued.
58 76
59=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 77=item port id - C<noderef#portname>
60 78
61A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 79A port ID is the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
62separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 80separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An
63exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node 81exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
64reference. 82reference.
65 83
66=item node 84=item node
67 85
68A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 86A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
69port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 87which provides nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
70create new ports, among other things. 88ports.
71 89
72Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 90Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a
73master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 91master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes).
74 92
75=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 93=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id>
95 113
96=cut 114=cut
97 115
98package AnyEvent::MP; 116package AnyEvent::MP;
99 117
100use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 118use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
101 119
102use common::sense; 120use common::sense;
103 121
104use Carp (); 122use Carp ();
105 123
106use AE (); 124use AE ();
107 125
108use base "Exporter"; 126use base "Exporter";
109 127
110our $VERSION = '0.1'; 128our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
129
111our @EXPORT = qw( 130our @EXPORT = qw(
112 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 131 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
113 resolve_node initialise_node 132 resolve_node initialise_node
114 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 133 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
115 port 134 port
116); 135);
117 136
118our $SELF; 137our $SELF;
119 138
123 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 142 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
124} 143}
125 144
126=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 145=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
127 146
128The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 147The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the
129the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 148noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to
130to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 149C<initialise_node>.
131identifiers become invalid.
132 150
133=item $noderef = node_of $port 151=item $noderef = node_of $port
134 152
135Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 153Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a noderef.
136 154
137=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 155=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode...
138 156
139=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 157=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
140 158
143it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 161it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
144 162
145This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 163This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
146never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 164never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
147 165
148All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved. 166All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
167either resolved or unresolved.
168
169The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
170(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
171the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
172the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
173seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
149 174
150There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes: 175There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
151 176
152=over 4 177=over 4
153 178
154=item public nodes 179=item public nodes
155 180
156For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) 181For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to
157noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in 182C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a
158which case the noderef will be guessed. 183noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved).
159 184
160Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect 185After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to
161to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional 186connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
162and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network. 187optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
188network.
163 189
164=item slave nodes 190=item slave nodes
165 191
166When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will 192When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file)
193is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave
167become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will 194node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of
168route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to. 195their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
169 196
170At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect 197At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it
171to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can 198directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node
172successfully connect to. 199will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the
200first node it can successfully connect to.
173 201
174=back 202=back
175 203
176This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave 204This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
177nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master 205nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
178server. 206server.
179 207
180Example: become a public node listening on the default node. 208Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one
209specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
210form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
181 211
182 initialise_node; 212 initialise_node;
213
214Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via
215C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
216
217 initialise_node "slave/";
218
219Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This
220form is also often used for commandline clients.
221
222 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
183 223
184Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 224Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
185servers to become part of the network. 225servers to become part of the network.
186 226
187 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; 227 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
190 230
191 initialise_node 4041; 231 initialise_node 4041;
192 232
193Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044. 233Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
194 234
195 initialise_node "locahost:4044"; 235 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
196
197Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
198
199 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
200 236
201=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 237=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
202 238
203Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 239Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
204abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node 240abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
241=item snd $port, type => @data 277=item snd $port, type => @data
242 278
243=item snd $port, @msg 279=item snd $port, @msg
244 280
245Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 281Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either
246a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 282a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
247stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
248 283
249While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 284While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a
250string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 285string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a request
251type etc.). 286type etc.).
252 287
253The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 288The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this
254function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 289function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many
255problems. 290problems.
260that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 295that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
261node, anything can be passed. 296node, anything can be passed.
262 297
263=item $local_port = port 298=item $local_port = port
264 299
265Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 300Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
266matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 301no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
267depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
268 302
269=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 303=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
270 304
271Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 305Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
272matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
273a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 306creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
274 307
275The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 308The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
276callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 309global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
277will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 310port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
311(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
278 312
279The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 313If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
280be passed to the callback.
281 314
282If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 315 my $port = port {
283 316 my @msg = @_;
284 my $port; $port = port { 317 ...
285 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 318 kil $SELF;
286 }; 319 };
287 320
288=cut 321=cut
289 322
290sub rcv($@); 323sub rcv($@);
324
325sub _kilme {
326 die "received message on port without callback";
327}
291 328
292sub port(;&) { 329sub port(;&) {
293 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 330 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
294 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 331 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
295 332
296 if (@_) { 333 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
297 rcv $port, shift;
298 } else {
299 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
300 }
301 334
302 $port 335 $port
303} 336}
304 337
305=item reg $port, $name
306
307=item reg $name
308
309Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
310C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
311
312A port can only be registered under one well known name.
313
314A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
315
316=cut
317
318sub reg(@) {
319 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
320
321 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
322}
323
324=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 338=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
325 339
326Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 340Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
327one if required). 341remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
328 342C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
329=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
330
331=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
332
333=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
334
335Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
336port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
337
338The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
339which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
340registered.
341 343
342The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 344The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
343executing the callback. 345executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
346result in the port being C<kil>ed.
344 347
345Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being 348The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
346C<kil>ed. 349C<tag> match.
347 350
348If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 351=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
349first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
350matched.
351 352
352Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 353Register callbacks to be called on messages starting with the given tag on
353exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 354the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when C<$callback>
355is C<$undef>).
354 356
355While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 357The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
356element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 358element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
357also the most efficient match (by far). 359environment as the default callback (see above).
358 360
359Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 361Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
360 362
361 my $port = rcv port, 363 my $port = rcv port,
362 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 364 msg1 => sub { ... },
363 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 365 msg2 => sub { ... },
364 ; 366 ;
365 367
366Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 368Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
367in one go: 369in one go:
368 370
369 snd $otherport, reply => 371 snd $otherport, reply =>
370 rcv port, 372 rcv port,
371 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 373 msg1 => sub { ... },
372 ... 374 ...
373 ; 375 ;
374 376
375=cut 377=cut
376 378
379 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 381 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
380 382
381 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 383 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
382 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 384 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
383 385
384 if (@_ == 1) { 386 while (@_) {
387 if (ref $_[0]) {
388 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
389 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
390 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
391
392 $self->[2] = shift;
393 } else {
385 my $cb = shift; 394 my $cb = shift;
386 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
387 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 395 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
388 local $SELF = $port; 396 local $SELF = $port;
389 eval { 397 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
390 &$cb 398 };
391 and kil $port;
392 }; 399 }
393 _self_die if $@; 400 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
394 };
395 } else {
396 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 401 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
397 my $self = bless { 402 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
398 id => $port,
399 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
400 403
401 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 404 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
402 local $SELF = $port; 405 local $SELF = $port;
403 406
404 eval {
405 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 407 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
406 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 408 shift;
407 && undef $_; 409 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
408 } 410 } else {
409
410 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
411 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
412 && &{$_->[0]} 411 &{ $self->[0] };
413 && undef $_;
414 }
415
416 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
417 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
418 && &{$_->[0]}
419 && undef $_;
420 } 412 }
421 }; 413 };
422 _self_die if $@; 414
415 $self
423 }; 416 };
424 417
425 $self
426 };
427
428 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 418 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
429 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 419 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
430 420
431 while (@_) {
432 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 421 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
433 422
434 if (!ref $match) { 423 if (defined $cb) {
435 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 424 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
436 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
437 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
438 @match
439 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
440 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
441 } else { 425 } else {
442 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 426 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
443 } 427 }
444 } 428 }
445 } 429 }
446 430
447 $port 431 $port
491 475
492=item $guard = mon $port 476=item $guard = mon $port
493 477
494=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 478=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
495 479
496Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed, and 480Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
497optionally return a guard that can be used to stop monitoring again. 481messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
482to stop monitoring again.
483
484C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
485that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
486will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
487message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
488(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
489port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
490delivered again.
498 491
499In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 492In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
500number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 493number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
501"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 494"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
502C<eval> if unsure. 495C<eval> if unsure.
503 496
504In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport) 497In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
505will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 498will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
506"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 499"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
507port is killed with the same reason. 500port is killed with the same reason.
508 501
509The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 502The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
536sub mon { 529sub mon {
537 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 530 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
538 531
539 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 532 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
540 533
541 my $cb = @_ ? $_[0] : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 534 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
542 535
543 unless (ref $cb) { 536 unless (ref $cb) {
544 if (@_) { 537 if (@_) {
545 # send a kill info message 538 # send a kill info message
546 my (@msg) = @_; 539 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
547 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ }; 540 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
548 } else { 541 } else {
549 # simply kill other port 542 # simply kill other port
550 my $port = $cb; 543 my $port = $cb;
551 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ }; 544 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
598will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 591will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
599 592
600Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 593Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
601$message >>. 594$message >>.
602 595
596=cut
597
598=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
599
600Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
601case it's the node where that port resides).
602
603The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
604permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
605
606After the port has been created, the init function is
607called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
608(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
609program, use C<::name>.
610
611If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
612the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
613C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
614exists or it runs out of package names.
615
616The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
617object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
618
619A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and
620in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring
621ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem.
622
623Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
624
625 # this node, executed from within a port context:
626 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
627 mon $server;
628
629 # init function on C<$othernode>
630 sub connect {
631 my ($srcport) = @_;
632
633 mon $srcport;
634
635 rcv $SELF, sub {
636 ...
637 };
638 }
639
640=cut
641
642sub _spawn {
643 my $port = shift;
644 my $init = shift;
645
646 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
647 eval {
648 &{ load_func $init }
649 };
650 _self_die if $@;
651}
652
653sub spawn(@) {
654 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
655
656 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
657
658 $_[0] =~ /::/
659 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
660
661 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
662 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
663
664 "$noderef#$id"
665}
666
603=back 667=back
604 668
605=head1 NODE MESSAGES 669=head1 NODE MESSAGES
606 670
607Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 671Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take
671convenience functionality. 735convenience functionality.
672 736
673This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 737This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
674cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 738cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
675 739
740=item Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
741uses "local ports are like remote ports".
742
743The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
744only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
745when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
746port.
747
748Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
749they are not.
750
751AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
752ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
753occur.
754
676=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 755=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
677 756
678Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 757Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
679needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 758needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
680purpose. 759useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
760AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
761filter messages without dequeing them.
681 762
682(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 763(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
683 764
684=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 765=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
685 766
686Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 767Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
687sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 768so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
688background. 769connection establishment is handled in the background.
689 770
690=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 771=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
691 772
692Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 773Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
693without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 774without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
694and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 775and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
695 776
707eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 788eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
708and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 789and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
709 790
710=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 791=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
711 792
712In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 793In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
713ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 794known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
714messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 795destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
715 796
716AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 797AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
717around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 798around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
718 799
719=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 800=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
755This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 836This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
756(hard to do in Erlang). 837(hard to do in Erlang).
757 838
758=back 839=back
759 840
841=head1 RATIONALE
842
843=over 4
844
845=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects?
846
847We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
848thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over
849the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
850overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object.
851
852Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
853procedures to be "valid".
854
855And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it
856can't become much cheaper.
857
858=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable?
859
860In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
861format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
862default.
863
864The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
865faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
866experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
867than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
868easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
869always have to re-think your design.
870
871Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
872objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
873
874=back
875
760=head1 SEE ALSO 876=head1 SEE ALSO
761 877
762L<AnyEvent>. 878L<AnyEvent>.
763 879
764=head1 AUTHOR 880=head1 AUTHOR

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