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Revision 1.32 by root, Wed Aug 5 19:58:46 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.42 by root, Sun Aug 9 00:41:49 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 # ports are message endpoints
16
17 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 18 snd $port, type => data...;
19 snd $port, @msg;
20 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 21
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 22 # miniports
23 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
16 24
25 # full ports
26 my $port = port;
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 27 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
18
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 28 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 29 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1; 30
31 # remote ports
32 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
23 33
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 34 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 35 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 36 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
37
38 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
27 42
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 43=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 44
30This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 45This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
31 46
104 119
105our $VERSION = '0.1'; 120our $VERSION = '0.1';
106our @EXPORT = qw( 121our @EXPORT = qw(
107 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 122 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
108 resolve_node initialise_node 123 resolve_node initialise_node
109 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 124 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
110 port 125 port
111); 126);
112 127
113our $SELF; 128our $SELF;
114 129
123The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 138The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains
124the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 139the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call
125to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 140to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port
126identifiers become invalid. 141identifiers become invalid.
127 142
128=item $noderef = node_of $portid 143=item $noderef = node_of $port
129 144
130Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 145Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef.
146
147=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode...
148
149=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
150
151Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise
152itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally
153it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
154
155This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
156never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
157
158All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved.
159
160There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
161
162=over 4
163
164=item public nodes
165
166For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved)
167noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in
168which case the noderef will be guessed.
169
170Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect
171to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional
172and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network.
173
174=item slave nodes
175
176When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will
177become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will
178route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
179
180At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect
181to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can
182successfully connect to.
183
184=back
185
186This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
187nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
188server.
189
190Example: become a public node listening on the default node.
191
192 initialise_node;
193
194Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
195servers to become part of the network.
196
197 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
198
199Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
200
201 initialise_node 4041;
202
203Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
204
205 initialise_node "locahost:4044";
206
207Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
208
209 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
131 210
132=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 211=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
133 212
134Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 213Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
135abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node 214abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
167 246
168Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 247Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
169just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 248just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this
170module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 249module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
171 250
172=item snd $portid, type => @data 251=item snd $port, type => @data
173 252
174=item snd $portid, @msg 253=item snd $port, @msg
175 254
176Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 255Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either
177a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 256a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat
178stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :). 257stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
179 258
195 274
196Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 275Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern
197matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 276matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"),
198depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object. 277depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
199 278
200=item $portid = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 279=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished }
201 280
202Creates a "mini port", that is, a very lightweight port without any 281Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern
203pattern matching behind it, and returns its ID. 282matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
283a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
204 284
205The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 285The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the
206callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 286callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port
207will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 287will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive.
208 288
215 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 295 snd $otherport, reply => $port;
216 }; 296 };
217 297
218=cut 298=cut
219 299
300sub rcv($@);
301
220sub port(;&) { 302sub port(;&) {
221 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 303 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
222 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 304 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
223 305
224 if (@_) { 306 if (@_) {
307 rcv $port, shift;
308 } else {
309 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
310 }
311
312 $port
313}
314
315=item reg $port, $name
316
317=item reg $name
318
319Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
320C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
321
322A port can only be registered under one well known name.
323
324A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
325
326=cut
327
328sub reg(@) {
329 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
330
331 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
332}
333
334=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg)
335
336Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to
337one if required).
338
339=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
340
341=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
342
343=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
344
345Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
346port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
347
348The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
349which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
350registered.
351
352The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
353executing the callback.
354
355Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being
356C<kil>ed.
357
358If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
359first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
360matched.
361
362Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
363exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
364
365While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
366element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
367also the most efficient match (by far).
368
369Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
370
371 my $port = rcv port,
372 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 },
373 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 },
374 ;
375
376Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
377in one go:
378
379 snd $otherport, reply =>
380 rcv port,
381 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 },
382 ...
383 ;
384
385=cut
386
387sub rcv($@) {
388 my $port = shift;
389 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
390
391 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
392 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
393
394 if (@_ == 1) {
225 my $cb = shift; 395 my $cb = shift;
396 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
226 $PORT{$id} = sub { 397 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
227 local $SELF = $port; 398 local $SELF = $port;
228 eval { 399 eval {
229 &$cb 400 &$cb
230 and kil $id; 401 and kil $port;
231 }; 402 };
232 _self_die if $@; 403 _self_die if $@;
233 }; 404 };
234 } else { 405 } else {
406 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
235 my $self = bless { 407 my $self = bless {
236 id => "$NODE#$id", 408 id => $port,
237 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 409 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
238 410
239 $PORT_DATA{$id} = $self;
240 $PORT{$id} = sub { 411 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
241 local $SELF = $port; 412 local $SELF = $port;
242 413
243 eval { 414 eval {
244 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 415 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) {
245 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 416 $_ && &{$_->[0]}
246 && undef $_; 417 && undef $_;
247 } 418 }
248 419
249 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) { 420 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
250 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] 421 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
251 && &{$_->[0]} 422 && &{$_->[0]}
252 && undef $_; 423 && undef $_;
253 } 424 }
254 425
255 for (@{ $self->{any} }) { 426 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
256 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] 427 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
257 && &{$_->[0]} 428 && &{$_->[0]}
258 && undef $_; 429 && undef $_;
430 }
259 } 431 };
432 _self_die if $@;
260 }; 433 };
261 _self_die if $@; 434
435 $self
262 }; 436 };
263 }
264 437
265 $port
266}
267
268=item reg $portid, $name
269
270Registers the given port under the name C<$name>. If the name already
271exists it is replaced.
272
273A port can only be registered under one well known name.
274
275A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
276
277=cut
278
279sub reg(@) {
280 my ($portid, $name) = @_;
281
282 $REG{$name} = $portid;
283}
284
285=item rcv $portid, $callback->(@msg)
286
287Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (or newly created port
288object, see C<port>). Full ports are configured with the following calls:
289
290=item rcv $portid, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
291
292=item rcv $portid, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
293
294=item rcv $portid, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
295
296Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
297port (or newly created port).
298
299The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
300which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
301registered.
302
303The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$portid> while
304executing the callback.
305
306Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being
307C<kil>ed.
308
309If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
310first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
311matched.
312
313Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
314exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
315
316While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
317element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
318also the most efficient match (by far).
319
320=cut
321
322sub rcv($@) {
323 my $portid = shift;
324 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, $port, 2;
325
326 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
327 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
328
329 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$port}
330 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
331
332 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 438 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
333 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 439 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
334 440
335 while (@_) { 441 while (@_) {
336 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 442 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
337 443
338 if (!ref $match) { 444 if (!ref $match) {
339 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 445 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb];
340 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) { 446 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
341 my ($type, @match) = @$match; 447 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
342 @match 448 @match
343 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match] 449 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
344 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb]; 450 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
345 } else { 451 } else {
346 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 452 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match];
453 }
347 } 454 }
348 } 455 }
349 456
350 $portid 457 $port
351} 458}
352 459
353=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 460=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
354 461
355Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 462Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
386 $res 493 $res
387 } 494 }
388 } 495 }
389} 496}
390 497
391=item $guard = mon $portid, $cb->(@reason) 498=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason)
392 499
393=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport 500=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport
394 501
502=item $guard = mon $port
503
395=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport, @msg 504=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
396 505
397Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed. 506Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
507messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
508to stop monitoring again.
398 509
510C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
511that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
512will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
513message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
514(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
515port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
516delivered again.
517
399In the first form, the callback is simply called with any number 518In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
400of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 519number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
401"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 520"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
402C<eval> if unsure. 521C<eval> if unsure.
403 522
404In the second form, the other port will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff 523In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport)
405a @reason was specified, i.e. on "normal" kils nothing happens, while 524will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
406under all other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason. 525"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
526port is killed with the same reason.
407 527
528The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
529C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
530
408In the last form, a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be C<snd>. 531In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
532C<snd>.
533
534As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
535a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
536lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
537even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
538to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
539these problems do not exist.
409 540
410Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 541Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
411 542
412 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 543 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
413 544
414Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 545Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
415 546
416 mon $port, $self; 547 mon $port;
417 548
418Example: send us a restart message another C<$port> is killed. 549Example: send us a restart message when another C<$port> is killed.
419 550
420 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 551 mon $port, $self => "restart";
421 552
422=cut 553=cut
423 554
424sub mon { 555sub mon {
425 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 556 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
426 557
427 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 558 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
428 559
429 my $cb = shift; 560 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
430 561
431 unless (ref $cb) { 562 unless (ref $cb) {
432 if (@_) { 563 if (@_) {
433 # send a kill info message 564 # send a kill info message
434 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_); 565 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
465=cut 596=cut
466 597
467sub mon_guard { 598sub mon_guard {
468 my ($port, @refs) = @_; 599 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
469 600
601 #TODO: mon-less form?
602
470 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs } 603 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
471} 604}
472 605
473=item lnk $port1, $port2
474
475Link two ports. This is simply a shorthand for:
476
477 mon $port1, $port2;
478 mon $port2, $port1;
479
480It means that if either one is killed abnormally, the other one gets
481killed as well.
482
483=item kil $portid[, @reason] 606=item kil $port[, @reason]
484 607
485Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 608Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
486 609
487If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 610If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
488ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 611ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
494will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 617will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
495 618
496Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 619Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
497$message >>. 620$message >>.
498 621
499=back
500
501=head1 FUNCTIONS FOR NODES
502
503=over 4
504
505=item become_public $noderef
506
507Tells the node to become a public node, i.e. reachable from other nodes.
508
509The first argument is the (unresolved) node reference of the local node
510(if missing then the empty string is used).
511
512It is quite common to not specify anything, in which case the local node
513tries to listen on the default port, or to only specify a port number, in
514which case AnyEvent::MP tries to guess the local addresses.
515
516=cut 622=cut
623
624=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
625
626Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
627case it's the node where that port resides).
628
629The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
630permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
631
632After the port has been created, the init function is
633called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
634(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
635program, use C<::name>.
636
637If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
638the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
639C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
640exists or it runs out of package names.
641
642The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
643object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
644
645A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and
646in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring
647ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem.
648
649Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
650
651 # this node, executed from within a port context:
652 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
653 mon $server;
654
655 # init function on C<$othernode>
656 sub connect {
657 my ($srcport) = @_;
658
659 mon $srcport;
660
661 rcv $SELF, sub {
662 ...
663 };
664 }
665
666=cut
667
668sub _spawn {
669 my $port = shift;
670 my $init = shift;
671
672 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
673 eval {
674 &{ load_func $init }
675 };
676 _self_die if $@;
677}
678
679sub spawn(@) {
680 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
681
682 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
683
684 $_[0] =~ /::/
685 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
686
687 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
688 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
689
690 "$noderef#$id"
691}
517 692
518=back 693=back
519 694
520=head1 NODE MESSAGES 695=head1 NODE MESSAGES
521 696
563 738
564=back 739=back
565 740
566=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 741=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
567 742
568AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed erlang (erlang node 743AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
569== aemp node, erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 744== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
570programming techniques employed by erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 745programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
571sample: 746sample:
572 747
573 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 748 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
574 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 749 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
575 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 750 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
576 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 751 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
577 752
578Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 753Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
579 754
580=over 4 755=over 4
581 756
592 767
593Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 768Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore
594needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 769needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful
595purpose. 770purpose.
596 771
597(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 772(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
598 773
599=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 774=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
600 775
601Sending messages in erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 776Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP
602sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 777sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the
603background. 778background.
604 779
605=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 780=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot.
606 781
609and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 784and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
610 785
611AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 786AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no
612holes in the message sequence. 787holes in the message sequence.
613 788
614=item * In erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 789=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be
615alive. 790alive.
616 791
617In erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 792In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
618linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is 793linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
619still alive - and can receive messages. 794still alive - and can receive messages.
620 795
621In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will 796In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
622eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 797eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
623and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 798and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
624 799
625=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 800=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
626 801
627In erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 802In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process
628ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 803ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing
629messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 804messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
630 805
631AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 806AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
632around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 807around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
638securely authenticate nodes. 813securely authenticate nodes.
639 814
640=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 815=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
641communications. 816communications.
642 817
643The AEMP protocol, unlike the erlang protocol, supports both 818The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both
644language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 819language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
645language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 820language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable).
646 821
647It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 822It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
648with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 823with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the
649protocol simple. 824protocol simple.
650 825
826=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
827
828In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
829or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is
830difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in
831Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
832on a per-process basis.
833
834=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
835
836Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes,
837as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
838
839In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
840that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
841on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor
842the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much
843more reliable.
844
845This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
846(hard to do in Erlang).
847
651=back 848=back
652 849
653=head1 SEE ALSO 850=head1 SEE ALSO
654 851
655L<AnyEvent>. 852L<AnyEvent>.

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