Advantages of memory mapping¶

• Unlike normal perl variables, mapped memory is (usually) shared between threads or forked processes.
• It is an efficient way to slurp an entire file. Unlike for example File::Slurp, this module returns almost immediately, loading the pages lazily on access. This means you only 'pay' for the parts of the file you actually use.
• Perl usually doesn't return memory to the system while running, mapped memory can be returned.

Advantages of this module over other similar modules¶

• Safety and Speed

  This module is safe yet fast. Alternatives are either fast but can cause segfaults or lose the mapping when not used correctly, or are safe but rather slow. File::Map is as fast as a normal string yet safe.

• Simplicity

  It offers a simple interface targeted at common usage patterns

• Portability

  File::Map supports Unix and Windows.

• Thread synchronization

  It has built-in support for thread synchronization.

Mapping¶

The following functions for mapping a variable are available for exportation. Note that all of these functions throw exceptions on errors, unless noted otherwise.

map_handle $lvalue, $filehandle, $mode = '<', $offset = 0, $length = -s(*handle) - $offset

Use a filehandle to map into an lvalue. $filehandle should be a scalar filehandle. $mode uses the same format as "open" does (it currently accepts "<", "+<", ">" and "+>"). $offset and $length are byte positions in the file, and default to mapping the whole file.

* map_file $lvalue, $filename, $mode = '<', $offset = 0, $length = -s($filename) - $offset

Open a file and map it into an lvalue. Other than $filename, all arguments work as in map_handle.

* map_anonymous $lvalue, $length, $type

Map an anonymous piece of memory. $type can be either 'shared', in which case it will be shared with child processes, or 'private', which won't be shared.

* sys_map $lvalue, $length, $protection, $flags, $filehandle, $offset = 0

Low level map operation. It accepts the same constants as mmap does (except its first argument obviously). If you don't know how mmap works you probably shouldn't be using this.

* unmap $lvalue

Unmap a variable. Note that normally this is not necessary as variables are unmapped automatically at destruction, but it is included for completeness.

* remap $lvalue, $new_size

Try to remap $lvalue to a new size. This call is linux specific and not supported on other systems. For a file backed mapping a file must be long enough to hold the new size, otherwise you can expect bus faults. For an anonymous map it must be private, shared maps can not be remapped. Use with caution.

Auxiliary¶

* sync $lvalue, $synchronous = 1

Flush changes made to the memory map back to disk. Mappings are always flushed when unmapped, so this is usually not necessary. If $synchronous is true and your operating system supports it, the flushing will be done synchronously.

* pin $lvalue

Disable paging for this map, thus locking it in physical memory. Depending on your operating system there may be limits on pinning.

* unpin $lvalue

Unlock the map from physical memory.

* advise $lvalue, $advice

Advise a certain memory usage pattern. This is not implemented on all operating systems, and may be a no-op. The following values for $advice are always accepted:.

• normal

  Specifies that the application has no advice to give on its behavior with respect to the mapped variable. It is the default characteristic if no advice is given.

• random

  Specifies that the application expects to access the mapped variable in a random order.

• sequential

  Specifies that the application expects to access the mapped variable sequentially from start to end.

• willneed

  Specifies that the application expects to access the mapped variable in the near future.

• dontneed

  Specifies that the application expects that it will not access the mapped variable in the near future.

On some systems there may be more values available, but this can not be relied on. Unknown values for $advice will cause a warning but are further ignored.

* protect $lvalue, $mode

Change the memory protection of the mapping. $mode takes the same format as "open", but also accepts sys_map style constants.

Locking¶

These locking functions provide locking for threads for the mapped region. The mapped region has an internal lock and condition variable. The condition variable functions("wait_until", "notify", "broadcast") can only be used inside a locked block. If your perl has been compiled without thread support the condition functions will not be available.

* lock_map $lvalue

Lock $lvalue until the end of the scope. If your perl does not support threads, this will be a no-op.

* wait_until { block } $lvalue

Wait for block to become true. After every failed attempt, wait for a signal. It returns the value returned by the block.

* notify $lvalue

This will signal to one listener that the map is available.

* broadcast $lvalue

This will signal to all listeners that the map is available.

Constants¶

PROT_NONE, PROT_READ, PROT_WRITE, PROT_EXEC, MAP_ANONYMOUS, MAP_SHARED, MAP_PRIVATE, MAP_ANON, MAP_FILE

These constants are used for sys_map. If you think you need them your mmap manpage will explain them, but in most cases you can skip sys_map altogether.

Exceptions¶

• Could not <function name>: this variable is not memory mapped

  An attempt was made to "sync", "remap", "unmap", "pin", "unpin", "advise" or "lock_map" an unmapped variable.

• Could not <function name>: <system error>

  Your OS didn't allow File::Map to do what you asked it to do for some reason.

• Trying to <function_name> on an unlocked map

  You tried to "wait_until", "notify" or "broadcast" on an unlocked variable.

• Zero length not allowed for anonymous map

  A zero length anonymous map is not possible (or in any way useful).

• Can't remap a shared mapping

  An attempt was made to remap a mapping that is shared among different threads, this is not possible.

• Window (<start>, <end>) is outside the file

  The offset and/or length you specified were invalid for this file.

• Can't map fake filehandle

  The filehandle you provided is not real. This may mean it's a scalar string handle or a tied handle.

• No such flag <flag_name>

  The flag given for map_anonymous isn't valid, it should either be "shared" or "private".

Warnings¶

• Writing directly to a memory mapped file is not recommended

  Due to the way perl works internally, it's not possible to write a mapping implementation that allows direct assignment yet performs well. As a compromise, File::Map is capable of fixing up the mess if you do it nonetheless, but it will warn you that you're doing something you shouldn't. This warning is only given when "use warnings 'substr'" is in effect.

• Truncating new value to size of the memory map

  This warning is additional to the previous one, warning you that you're losing data. This warning is only given when "use warnings 'substr'" is in effect.

• Shouldn't mmap non-binary filehandle

  You tried to to map a filehandle that has some encoding layer. Encoding layers are not supported by File::Map. This warning is only given when "use warnings 'layer'" is in effect. Note that this may become an exception in a future version.

• Unknown advice '<advice>'

  You gave advise an advice it didn't know. This is either a typo or a portability issue. This warning is only given when "use warnings 'portable'" is in effect.

• Syncing a readonly map makes no sense

  "sync" flushes changes to the map to the filesystem. This obviously is of little use when you can't change the map. This warning is only given when "use warnings 'io'" is in effect.

• Can't overwrite an empty map

  Overwriting an empty map is rather nonsensical, hence a warning is given when this is tried. This warning is only given when "use warnings 'substr'" is in effect.