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Revision 1.82 by root, Mon Sep 7 18:42:09 2009 UTC

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; # -OR- 15 configure;
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
19 16
20 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
21 18
22 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
23 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
24 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
26 23
27 # creating/using ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
29 26
30 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
31 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
32 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
33 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
34 31
35 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
36 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
37 34
38 # monitoring 35 # monitoring
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 38 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42 39
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS 40=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44 41
42 bin/aemp - stable.
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable but incomplete, protocol not yet final.
49 47
50 stay tuned. 48stay tuned.
51 49
52=head1 DESCRIPTION 50=head1 DESCRIPTION
53 51
54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
55 53
56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 54Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
57on the same or other hosts. 55on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
58 56
59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 57For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
60manual page. 58manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
61
62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
64stay tuned!
65 59
66=head1 CONCEPTS 60=head1 CONCEPTS
67 61
68=over 4 62=over 4
69 63
70=item port 64=item port
71 65
72A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 66Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
67messages to (with the C<snd> function).
73 68
74Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just 69Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
75some messages. Messages will not be queued. 70some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
71anything was listening for them or not.
76 72
77=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 73=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
78 74
79A port ID is the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 75A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
80separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 76separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
81exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
82reference.
83 77
84=item node 78=item node
85 79
86A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, 80A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
87which provides nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 81which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
88ports. 82ports.
89 83
90Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 84Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
91master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 85(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
86currently.
92 87
93=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 88=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+>
94 89
95A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 90A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
96private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 91network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
97node (for public nodes). 92hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
93doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
98 94
99This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 95=item binds - C<ip:port>
100TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
101 96
102Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 97Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
103addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). 98each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
99endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can
100be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on.
104 101
105Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 102=item seeds - C<host:port>
106resolve it. 103
104When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node
105about the network it first has to contact some other node within the
106network. This node is called a seed.
107
108Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes
109are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
110be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
111error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
112join the network.
113
114Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way -
115every public node can be a seednode.
107 116
108=back 117=back
109 118
110=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 119=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
111 120
126use base "Exporter"; 135use base "Exporter";
127 136
128our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 137our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
129 138
130our @EXPORT = qw( 139our @EXPORT = qw(
131 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 140 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
132 resolve_node initialise_node 141 configure
133 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 142 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn
134 port 143 port
135); 144);
136 145
137our $SELF; 146our $SELF;
138 147
142 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 151 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
143} 152}
144 153
145=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 154=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
146 155
147The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the 156The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
148noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to 157ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
149C<initialise_node>. 158a call to C<configure>.
150 159
151=item $noderef = node_of $port 160=item $nodeid = node_of $port
152 161
153Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a noderef. 162Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
154 163
155=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 164=item configure $profile, key => value...
156 165
157=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 166=item configure key => value...
158 167
159Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 168Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
160itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 169"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
161it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 170to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
171some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
162 172
163This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 173This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
164never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 174never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
165 175
166All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
167either resolved or unresolved.
168
169The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
170(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
171the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
172the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
173seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
174
175There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
176
177=over 4 176=over 4
178 177
179=item public nodes 178=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
180 179
181For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to 180The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
182C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a 181L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
183noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved). 182named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
183missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
184 184
185After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to 185The profile data is then gathered as follows:
186connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
187optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
188network.
189 186
190=item slave nodes 187First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
188undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
189data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
190default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
191profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
191 192
192When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file) 193That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
193is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave 194and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
194node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of 195and can only be used to specify defaults.
195their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
196 196
197At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it 197If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
198directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node 198this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
199will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the 199special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
200first node it can successfully connect to. 200
201=item step 2, bind listener sockets
202
203The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
204aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
205to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
206outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
207binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
208
209If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
210used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
211local IP address it finds.
212
213=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
214
215As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the
216L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
217connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
201 218
202=back 219=back
203 220
204This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave 221Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile.
205nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master 222This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
206server.
207 223
208Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one 224 configure
209specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
210form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
211 225
212 initialise_node; 226Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
227clients.
213 228
214Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via 229 configure nodeid => "anon/";
215C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
216 230
217 initialise_node "slave/"; 231Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable
232for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
233customary for aemp).
218 234
219Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This 235 # use the aemp commandline utility
220form is also often used for commandline clients. 236 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040'
221 237
222 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net"; 238 # then use it
239 configure profile => "seed";
223 240
224Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 241 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
225servers to become part of the network. 242 # aemp run profile seed
226 243
227 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; 244 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
228 245 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
229Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
230
231 initialise_node 4041;
232
233Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
234
235 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
236
237=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
238
239Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
240abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
241reference.
242
243In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
244following forms are supported:
245
246=over 4
247
248=item the empty string
249
250An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
251specified.
252
253=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
254
255These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
256further resolved.
257
258=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
259
260These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
261looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
262specified.
263
264=back
265 246
266=item $SELF 247=item $SELF
267 248
268Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 249Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
269blocks. 250blocks.
270 251
271=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 252=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
272 253
273Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 254Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
274just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 255just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
275module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 256module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
276 257
277=item snd $port, type => @data 258=item snd $port, type => @data
278 259
279=item snd $port, @msg 260=item snd $port, @msg
280 261
281Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 262Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
282a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID. 263local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
283 264
284While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 265While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
285string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a request 266use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
286type etc.). 267request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
268arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
287 269
288The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 270The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
289function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 271function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
290problems. 272forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
273and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
274never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
275receiving port.
291 276
292The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 277The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
293JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 278JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
294of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 279of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
295that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 280that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
296node, anything can be passed. 281node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
282these.
297 283
298=item $local_port = port 284=item $local_port = port
299 285
300Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has 286Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
301no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages. 287no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
348The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific 334The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
349C<tag> match. 335C<tag> match.
350 336
351=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... 337=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
352 338
353Register callbacks to be called on messages starting with the given tag on 339Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
354the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when C<$callback> 340given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
355is C<$undef>). 341C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
342registered for each tag.
356 343
357The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first 344The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
358element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same 345element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
359environment as the default callback (see above). 346environment as the default callback (see above).
360 347
372 rcv port, 359 rcv port,
373 msg1 => sub { ... }, 360 msg1 => sub { ... },
374 ... 361 ...
375 ; 362 ;
376 363
364Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
365(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
366
367 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
368 my @reply = @_;
369
370 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
371 };
372
377=cut 373=cut
378 374
379sub rcv($@) { 375sub rcv($@) {
380 my $port = shift; 376 my $port = shift;
381 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 377 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
382 378
383 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 379 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
384 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 380 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
385 381
386 while (@_) { 382 while (@_) {
387 if (ref $_[0]) { 383 if (ref $_[0]) {
388 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 384 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
467 $res 463 $res
468 } 464 }
469 } 465 }
470} 466}
471 467
472=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 468=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
473 469
474=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 470=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
475 471
476=item $guard = mon $port 472=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
477 473
478=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 474=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
479 475
480Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 476Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
481messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 477messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
482to stop monitoring again. 478to stop monitoring again.
483
484C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
485that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
486will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
487message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
488(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
489port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
490delivered again.
491 479
492In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 480In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
493number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 481number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
494"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 482"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
495C<eval> if unsure. 483C<eval> if unsure.
496 484
497In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>) 485In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
498will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 486will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
499"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 487"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
500port is killed with the same reason. 488port is killed with the same reason.
501 489
502The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 490The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
503C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>. 491C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
504 492
505In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be 493In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
506C<snd>. 494C<snd>.
495
496Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
497alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
507 498
508As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from 499As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
509a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get 500a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
510lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that 501lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
511even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection 502even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
512to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally 503to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
513these problems do not exist. 504these problems do not exist.
514 505
506C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
507after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
508arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
509loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
510the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
511port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
512delivered again.
513
514Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
515used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
516relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
517non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions).
518
519This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
520stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
521to ensure some maximum latency.
522
515Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 523Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
516 524
517 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 525 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
518 526
519Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 527Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
525 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 533 mon $port, $self => "restart";
526 534
527=cut 535=cut
528 536
529sub mon { 537sub mon {
530 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 538 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
531 539
532 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 540 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
533 541
534 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 542 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
535 543
536 unless (ref $cb) { 544 unless (ref $cb) {
537 if (@_) { 545 if (@_) {
557is killed, the references will be freed. 565is killed, the references will be freed.
558 566
559Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 567Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
560 568
561This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 569This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
562want to free them when the port gets killed: 570want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
563 571
564 $port->rcv (start => sub { 572 $port->rcv (start => sub {
565 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 573 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
566 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 574 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
567 }); 575 });
568 }); 576 });
569 577
570=cut 578=cut
579 587
580=item kil $port[, @reason] 588=item kil $port[, @reason]
581 589
582Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 590Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
583 591
584If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 592If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports
585ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 593monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies
594"normally").
586 595
587Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 596Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
588C<mon>, see below). 597C<mon>, see above).
589 598
590Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 599Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
591will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 600will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
592 601
593Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 602Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
598=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 607=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
599 608
600Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 609Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
601case it's the node where that port resides). 610case it's the node where that port resides).
602 611
603The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 612The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
604permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 613possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
605 614
606After the port has been created, the init function is 615After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
607called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 616node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
608(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 617fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
609program, use C<::name>. 618specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
610 619
611If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 620If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
612the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 621the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
613C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 622C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
614exists or it runs out of package names. 623exists or it runs out of package names.
615 624
616The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 625The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
617object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 626object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
627call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
628the port might not get created.
618 629
619A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 630A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
620in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 631port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
621ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 632local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
633when there is a problem.
634
635C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
636caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
637called for the local node).
622 638
623Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 639Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
624 640
625 # this node, executed from within a port context: 641 # this node, executed from within a port context:
626 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 642 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
641 657
642sub _spawn { 658sub _spawn {
643 my $port = shift; 659 my $port = shift;
644 my $init = shift; 660 my $init = shift;
645 661
662 # rcv will create the actual port
646 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 663 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
647 eval { 664 eval {
648 &{ load_func $init } 665 &{ load_func $init }
649 }; 666 };
650 _self_die if $@; 667 _self_die if $@;
651} 668}
652 669
653sub spawn(@) { 670sub spawn(@) {
654 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 671 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
655 672
656 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 673 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
657 674
658 $_[0] =~ /::/ 675 $_[0] =~ /::/
659 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 676 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
660 677
661 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) 678 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
662 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
663 679
664 "$noderef#$id" 680 "$nodeid#$id"
665} 681}
666 682
667=back 683=item after $timeout, @msg
668 684
669=head1 NODE MESSAGES 685=item after $timeout, $callback
670 686
671Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 687Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
672arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 688specified number of seconds.
673message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
674the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
675 689
676While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 690This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
691AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
692so it may go away in the future.
677 693
678=over 4
679
680=cut 694=cut
681 695
682=item lookup => $name, @reply 696sub after($@) {
697 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
683 698
684Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 699 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
685 700 undef $t;
686=item devnull => ... 701 ref $action[0]
687 702 ? $action[0]()
688Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 703 : snd @action;
689 704 };
690=item relay => $port, @msg 705}
691
692Simply forwards the message to the given port.
693
694=item eval => $string[ @reply]
695
696Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the
697form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent.
698
699Example: crash another node.
700
701 snd $othernode, eval => "exit";
702
703=item time => @reply
704
705Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>.
706
707Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a
708C<timereply> message.
709
710 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2;
711 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time>
712 706
713=back 707=back
714 708
715=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 709=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
716 710
726 720
727Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 721Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
728 722
729=over 4 723=over 4
730 724
731=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 725=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
732 726
733Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 727Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
734same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 728way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
735convenience functionality. 729configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself.
736 730
737This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
738cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
739
740=item Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 731=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
741uses "local ports are like remote ports". 732uses "local ports are like remote ports".
742 733
743The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 734The 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, 735only) 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 736when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
756 747
757Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 748Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
758needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 749needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
759useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 750useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
760AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 751AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
761filter messages without dequeing them. 752filter messages without dequeuing them.
762 753
763(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 754(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
764 755
765=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 756=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
766 757
772 763
773Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 764Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
774without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 765without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
775and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 766and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
776 767
777AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 768AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
778holes in the message sequence. 769is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
779 770monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
780=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 771sequence.
781alive.
782
783In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
784linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
785still alive - and can receive messages.
786
787In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
788eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
789and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
790 772
791=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 773=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
792 774
793In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 775In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
794known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 776known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
798around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 780around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
799 781
800=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 782=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
801authentication and can use TLS. 783authentication and can use TLS.
802 784
803AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 785AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
804securely authenticate nodes. 786securely authenticate nodes.
805 787
806=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 788=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
807communications. 789communications.
808 790
809The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 791The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
810language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 792language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
811language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 793language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
794used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
812 795
813It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 796It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
814with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 797with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
815protocol simple. 798protocol simple.
816 799
817=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 800=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
818 801
819In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 802In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
822Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 805Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
823on a per-process basis. 806on a per-process basis.
824 807
825=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 808=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
826 809
827Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 810Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
828as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 811same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
829 812
830In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 813In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
831that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 814that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
832on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 815on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
833the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 816remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
834more reliable. 817reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
835 818
836This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 819This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
837(hard to do in Erlang). 820(hard to do in Erlang).
838 821
839=back 822=back
840 823
841=head1 RATIONALE 824=head1 RATIONALE
842 825
843=over 4 826=over 4
844 827
845=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects? 828=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
846 829
847We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods 830We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
848thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over 831that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
849the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of 832the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
850overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object. 833overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
851 834
852Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 835Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
853procedures to be "valid". 836procedures to be "valid".
854 837
855And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it 838And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a
856can't become much cheaper. 839global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
857 840
858=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable? 841=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
859 842
860In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 843In 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 844format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
862default. 845default (although all nodes will accept it).
863 846
864The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times 847The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
865faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of 848faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
866experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems 849experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
867than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel 850than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
868easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you 851easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
869always have to re-think your design. 852always have to re-think your design.
870 853
871Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 854Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
872objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 855objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
873 856
874=back 857=back
875 858
876=head1 SEE ALSO 859=head1 SEE ALSO
877 860
861L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
862
863L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
864
865L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find
866your applications.
867
868L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
869all nodes.
870
878L<AnyEvent>. 871L<AnyEvent>.
879 872
880=head1 AUTHOR 873=head1 AUTHOR
881 874
882 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 875 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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