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authorLoïc Hoguin <[email protected]>2014-09-26 15:58:44 +0300
committerLoïc Hoguin <[email protected]>2014-09-26 15:58:44 +0300
commit5ce4c2bfb40ecc4b687a2941e612025a1c4ff913 (patch)
tree7094d5f9d92c9c3bac1a60ca4b4922ba035b219d /doc/src
parentfd37fad592fc96a384bcd060696194f5fe074f6f (diff)
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Unify the init and terminate callbacks
This set of changes is the first step to simplify the writing of handlers, by removing some extraneous callbacks and making others optional. init/3 is now init/2, its first argument being removed. rest_init/2 and rest_terminate/2 have been removed. websocket_init/3 and websocket_terminate/3 have been removed. terminate/3 is now optional. It is called regardless of the type of handler, including rest and websocket. The return value of init/2 changed. It now returns {Mod, Req, Opts} with Mod being either one of the four handler type or a custom module. It can also return extra timeout and hibernate options. The signature for sub protocols has changed, they now receive these extra timeout and hibernate options. Loop handlers are now implemented in cowboy_long_polling, and will be renamed throughout the project in a future commit.
Diffstat (limited to 'doc/src')
-rw-r--r--doc/src/guide/http_handlers.ezdoc73
-rw-r--r--doc/src/guide/loop_handlers.ezdoc12
-rw-r--r--doc/src/guide/req.ezdoc14
-rw-r--r--doc/src/guide/rest_handlers.ezdoc33
-rw-r--r--doc/src/guide/upgrade_protocol.ezdoc59
-rw-r--r--doc/src/guide/ws_handlers.ezdoc63
-rw-r--r--doc/src/manual/cowboy_req.ezdoc10
7 files changed, 104 insertions, 160 deletions
diff --git a/doc/src/guide/http_handlers.ezdoc b/doc/src/guide/http_handlers.ezdoc
index 9c6e41d..d846ffe 100644
--- a/doc/src/guide/http_handlers.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/guide/http_handlers.ezdoc
@@ -7,36 +7,17 @@ will simply call the three callbacks sequentially.
:: Initialization
-The first callback, `init/3`, is common to all handlers,
+The first callback, `init/2`, is common to all handlers,
as it is used to identify the type of handler. Plain
-HTTP handlers just return `ok`.
+HTTP handlers just return `http`.
``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
- {ok, Req, no_state}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {http, Req, Opts}.
```
-This function receives the name of the transport and
-protocol modules used for processing the request.
-They can be used to quickly dismiss requests. For
-example the following handler will crash when accessed
-using TCP instead of SSL.
-
-``` erlang
-init({ssl, _}, Req, _Opts) ->
- {ok, Req, no_state}.
-```
-
-This function also receives the options associated with
-this route that you configured previously. If your
-handler does not use options, then it is recommended
-you match the value `[]` directly to quickly detect
-configuration errors.
-
-``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, []) ->
- {ok, Req, no_state}.
-```
+This function receives the options associated with
+this route that you configured previously.
You do not need to validate the options unless they
are user configured. If they are, and there's a
@@ -45,9 +26,9 @@ example, this will crash if the required `lang`
option is not found.
``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, Opts) ->
- {_, _Lang} = lists:keyfind(lang, 1, Opts),
- {ok, Req, no_state}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {_, Lang} = lists:keyfind(lang, 1, Opts),
+ {http, Req, Lang}.
```
If your users are unlikely to figure out the issue
@@ -58,15 +39,15 @@ continue with the handler code, so we use the
`shutdown` return value to stop early.
``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, Opts) ->
+init(Req, Opts) ->
case lists:keyfind(lang, 1, Opts) of
false ->
Req2 = cowboy_req:reply(500, [
{<<"content-type">>, <<"text/plain">>}
], "Missing option 'lang'.", Req),
- {shutdown, Req2, no_state};
- _ ->
- {ok, Req, no_state}
+ {shutdown, Req2, undefined};
+ {_, Lang} ->
+ {http, Req, Lang}
end.
```
@@ -75,9 +56,9 @@ safely. So we need to pass them onward to the rest of
the handler. That's what the third element of the return
tuple, the state, is for.
-We recommend that you create a state record for this.
-The record will make your handler code clearer and
-will allow you to better use Dialyzer for type checking.
+You may use a state record for this. The record will make
+your handler code clearer and will allow Dialyzer to better
+type check your code.
``` erlang
-record(state, {
@@ -85,15 +66,25 @@ will allow you to better use Dialyzer for type checking.
%% More fields here.
}).
-init(_Type, Req, Opts) ->
+init(Req, Opts) ->
{_, Lang} = lists:keyfind(lang, 1, Opts),
- {ok, Req, #state{lang=Lang}}.
+ {http, Req, #state{lang=Lang}}.
+```
+
+You may also use a map. A map is interesting in that you
+do not need to define it beforehand, but is a little less
+efficient and not as well supported by Dialyzer.
+
+``` erlang
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {_, Lang} = lists:keyfind(lang, 1, Opts),
+ {http, Req, #{lang => Lang}.
```
:: Handling the request
The second callback, `handle/2`, is specific to plain HTTP
-handlers. It's where you, wait for it, handle the request.
+handlers. It's where you handle the request.
A handle function that does nothing would look like this:
@@ -118,8 +109,7 @@ handle(Req, State) ->
:: Cleaning up
-The third and last callback, `terminate/3`, will most likely
-be empty in your handler.
+The third and last callback, `terminate/3`, is optional.
``` erlang
terminate(_Reason, Req, State) ->
@@ -140,6 +130,3 @@ thin however. The use of the process dictionary is discouraged
in Erlang code in general. And if you need to use timers, monitors
or to receive messages, you are better off with a loop handler,
a different kind of handler meant specifically for this use.
-
-This function is still available should you need it. It will
-always be called.
diff --git a/doc/src/guide/loop_handlers.ezdoc b/doc/src/guide/loop_handlers.ezdoc
index b1c033f..445854c 100644
--- a/doc/src/guide/loop_handlers.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/guide/loop_handlers.ezdoc
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ process enter hibernation until a message is received.
This snippet enables the loop handler.
``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
- {loop, Req, undefined_state}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {long_polling, Req, Opts}.
```
However it is largely recommended that you set a timeout
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ value. The next example sets a timeout value of 30s and
also makes the process hibernate.
``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
- {loop, Req, undefined_state, 30000, hibernate}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {long_polling, Req, Opts, 30000, hibernate}.
```
:: Receive loop
@@ -94,9 +94,9 @@ a chunk is sent every time a `chunk` message is received,
and the loop is stopped by sending an `eof` message.
``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
+init(Req, Opts) ->
Req2 = cowboy_req:chunked_reply(200, [], Req),
- {loop, Req2, undefined_state}.
+ {long_polling, Req2, Opts}.
info(eof, Req, State) ->
{ok, Req, State};
diff --git a/doc/src/guide/req.ezdoc b/doc/src/guide/req.ezdoc
index 1349af3..bc60227 100644
--- a/doc/src/guide/req.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/guide/req.ezdoc
@@ -267,17 +267,3 @@ rather the one of the machine that connected to the server.
``` erlang
{IP, Port} = cowboy_req:peer(Req).
```
-
-:: Reducing the memory footprint
-
-When you are done reading information from the request object
-and know you are not going to access it anymore, for example
-when using long-polling or Websocket, you can use the `compact/1`
-function to remove most of the data from the request object and
-free memory.
-
-``` erlang
-Req2 = cowboy_req:compact(Req).
-```
-
-You will still be able to send a reply if needed.
diff --git a/doc/src/guide/rest_handlers.ezdoc b/doc/src/guide/rest_handlers.ezdoc
index ee3e5aa..294392a 100644
--- a/doc/src/guide/rest_handlers.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/guide/rest_handlers.ezdoc
@@ -8,18 +8,20 @@ The REST handler is the recommended way to handle requests.
:: Initialization
-First, the `init/3` callback is called. This callback is common
+First, the `init/2` callback is called. This callback is common
to all handlers. To use REST for the current request, this function
-must return an `upgrade` tuple.
+must return a `rest` tuple.
``` erlang
-init({tcp, http}, Req, Opts) ->
- {upgrade, protocol, cowboy_rest}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {rest, Req, Opts}.
```
Cowboy will then switch to the REST protocol and start executing
-the state machine, starting from `rest_init/2` if it's defined,
-and ending with `rest_terminate/2` also if defined.
+the state machine.
+
+After reaching the end of the flowchart, the `terminate/3` callback
+will be called if it is defined.
:: Methods
@@ -36,28 +38,17 @@ on what other defined callbacks return. The various flowcharts
in the next chapter should be a useful to determine which callbacks
you need.
-When the request starts being processed, Cowboy will call the
-`rest_init/2` function if it is defined, with the Req object
-and the handler options as arguments. This function must return
-`{ok, Req, State}` where `State` is the handler's state that all
-subsequent callbacks will receive.
-
-At the end of every request, the special callback `rest_terminate/2`
-will be called if it is defined. It cannot be used to send a reply,
-and must always return `ok`.
+All callbacks take two arguments, the Req object and the State,
+and return a three-element tuple of the form `{Value, Req, State}`.
-All other callbacks are resource callbacks. They all take two
-arguments, the Req object and the State, and return a three-element
-tuple of the form `{Value, Req, State}`.
+All callbacks can also return `{halt, Req, State}` to stop execution
+of the request.
The following table summarizes the callbacks and their default values.
If the callback isn't defined, then the default value will be used.
Please look at the flowcharts to find out the result of each return
value.
-All callbacks can also return `{halt, Req, State}` to stop execution
-of the request, at which point `rest_terminate/2` will be called.
-
In the following table, "skip" means the callback is entirely skipped
if it is undefined, moving directly to the next step. Similarly,
"none" means there is no default value for this callback.
diff --git a/doc/src/guide/upgrade_protocol.ezdoc b/doc/src/guide/upgrade_protocol.ezdoc
index eebce74..ad2d25a 100644
--- a/doc/src/guide/upgrade_protocol.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/guide/upgrade_protocol.ezdoc
@@ -1,36 +1,61 @@
::: Protocol upgrades
Cowboy features many different handlers, each for different purposes.
-All handlers have a common entry point: the `init/3` function.
+All handlers have a common entry point: the `init/2` function.
+This function returns the name of the protocol that will be
+used for processing the request, along with various options.
-The default handler type is the simple HTTP handler.
+Cowboy defines four built-in handler types. Three of them are
+implemented as sub protocols. More can be implemented by
+writing a custom sub protocol.
-To switch to a different protocol, you must perform a protocol
-upgrade. This is what is done for Websocket and REST and is
-explained in details in the respective chapters.
+The following table lists the built-in handler types.
-You can also create your own protocol on top of Cowboy and use
-the protocol upgrade mechanism to switch to it.
+|| Alias Module Description
+|
+| http - Plain HTTP handler
+| long_polling cowboy_long_polling Long-polling handler
+| rest cowboy_rest REST handler
+| ws cowboy_websocket Websocket handler
-For example, if you create the `my_protocol` module implementing
-the `cowboy_sub_protocol` behavior, then you can upgrade to it
-by simply returning the module name from `init/3`.
+Both the alias or the module name can be used to specify the
+kind of handler. In addition, a user-defined module name can
+be used.
``` erlang
-init(_, _, _Opts) ->
- {upgrade, protocol, my_protocol}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {my_protocol, Req, Opts}.
```
+The `init/2` function can also return some extra options for
+handlers that are meant to be long running, for example the
+`long_polling` and `ws` handler types. These options can also
+be passed on to custom sub protocols. For example the following
+`init/2` function defines both a timeout value and enables
+process hibernation:
+
+``` erlang
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {my_protocol, Req, Opts, 5000, hibernate}.
+```
+
+It is up to the sub protocol to implement these (or reject
+them if they are not supported).
+
The `cowboy_sub_protocol` behavior only requires one callback,
-`upgrade/4`. It receives the Req object, the middleware environment,
-and the handler and options for this request. This is the same
-module as the `init/3` function and the same options that were
-passed to it.
+`upgrade/6`. It receives the Req object, the middleware environment,
+the handler and options for this request, and the timeout and
+hibernate values. The default timeout value is `infinity` and
+the default hibernate value is `run`.
``` erlang
-upgrade(Req, Env, Handler, HandlerOpts) ->
+upgrade(Req, Env, Handler, HandlerOpts, Timeout, Hibernate) ->
%% ...
```
This callback is expected to behave like a middleware. Please
see the corresponding chapter for more information.
+
+Sub protocols are expected to call the `cowboy_handler:terminate/5`
+function when they terminate. This function will make sure that
+the optional `terminate/3` callback will be called, if present.
diff --git a/doc/src/guide/ws_handlers.ezdoc b/doc/src/guide/ws_handlers.ezdoc
index 1c84b98..893624b 100644
--- a/doc/src/guide/ws_handlers.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/guide/ws_handlers.ezdoc
@@ -11,53 +11,18 @@ socket communication and decoding/encoding of frames.
:: Initialization
-First, the `init/3` callback is called. This callback is common
+First, the `init/2` callback is called. This callback is common
to all handlers. To establish a Websocket connection, this function
-must return an `upgrade` tuple.
+must return a `ws` tuple.
``` erlang
-init(_, Req, Opts) ->
- {upgrade, protocol, cowboy_websocket}.
-```
-
-It is also possible to return an update Req object and options
-using the longer form of this tuple.
-
-``` erlang
-init(_Type, Req, Opts) ->
- {upgrade, protocol, cowboy_websocket, Req, Opts}.
+init(Req, Opts) ->
+ {ws, Req, Opts}.
```
Upon receiving this tuple, Cowboy will switch to the code
-that handles Websocket connections. It does not immediately
-perform the handshake however. First, it calls the `websocket_init/3`
-callback.
-
-This function must be used to initialize the state, and can
-also be used to register the process, start a timer, etc.
-As long as the function returns an `ok` tuple, then Cowboy
-performs the Websocket handshake.
-
-``` erlang
-websocket_init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
- {ok, Req, #state{}}.
-```
-
-A `shutdown` tuple can be returned to refuse to perform the
-handshake. When doing so, Cowboy will send a `400 Bad Request`
-response to the client and close the connection.
-
-``` erlang
-websocket_init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
- {shutdown, Req}.
-```
-
-It is also possible to perform a `cowboy_req:reply/{2,3,4}`
-before returning a `shutdown` tuple, allowing you to override
-the response sent back to the client.
-
-Note that browser support for handling Websocket connection
-failures may vary.
+that handles Websocket connections and perform the handshake
+immediately.
If the sec-websocket-protocol header was sent with the request
for establishing a Websocket connection, then the Websocket
@@ -66,7 +31,7 @@ back to the client, otherwise the client might decide to close
the connection, assuming no correct subprotocol was found.
``` erlang
-websocket_init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
+init(Req, _Opts) ->
case cowboy_req:parse_header(<<"sec-websocket-protocol">>, Req) of
undefined ->
{ok, Req, #state{}};
@@ -77,15 +42,15 @@ websocket_init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
<<"mychat2">>, Req),
{ok, Req2, #state{}};
false ->
- {shutdown, Req}
+ {shutdown, Req, undefined}
end
end.
```
-It is not recommended to wait too long inside the `websocket_init/3`
+It is not recommended to wait too long inside the `init/2`
function. Any extra initialization may be done after returning by
sending yourself a message before doing anything. Any message sent
-to `self()` from `websocket_init/3` is guaranteed to arrive before
+to `self()` from `init/2` is guaranteed to arrive before
any frames from the client.
It is also very easy to ensure that this message arrives before
@@ -93,10 +58,10 @@ any message from other processes by sending it before registering
or enabling timers.
``` erlang
-websocket_init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
+init(Req, _Opts) ->
self() ! post_init,
%% Register process here...
- {ok, Req, #state{}}.
+ {ws, Req, #state{}}.
websocket_info(post_init, Req, State) ->
%% Perform post_init initialization here...
@@ -195,8 +160,8 @@ leave the process alive forever.
A good timeout value is 60 seconds.
``` erlang
-websocket_init(_Type, Req, _Opts) ->
- {ok, Req, #state{}, 60000}.
+init(Req, _Opts) ->
+ {ws, Req, #state{}, 60000}.
```
This value cannot be changed once it is set. It defaults to
diff --git a/doc/src/manual/cowboy_req.ezdoc b/doc/src/manual/cowboy_req.ezdoc
index bcec9b9..9a2f34f 100644
--- a/doc/src/manual/cowboy_req.ezdoc
+++ b/doc/src/manual/cowboy_req.ezdoc
@@ -713,13 +713,3 @@ Set a response header.
You should use `set_resp_cookie/4` instead of this function
to set cookies.
-
-:: Misc. exports
-
-: compact(Req) -> Req2
-
-Remove any non-essential data from the Req object.
-
-Long-lived connections usually only need to manipulate the
-Req object at initialization. Compacting allows saving up
-memory by discarding extraneous information.