diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'erts/doc/src/alt_dist.xml')
| -rw-r--r-- | erts/doc/src/alt_dist.xml | 737 |
1 files changed, 724 insertions, 13 deletions
diff --git a/erts/doc/src/alt_dist.xml b/erts/doc/src/alt_dist.xml index be969a8267..e6245130fc 100644 --- a/erts/doc/src/alt_dist.xml +++ b/erts/doc/src/alt_dist.xml @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ <chapter> <header> <copyright> - <year>2000</year><year>2016</year> + <year>2000</year><year>2018</year> <holder>Ericsson AB. All Rights Reserved.</holder> </copyright> <legalnotice> @@ -47,23 +47,30 @@ runs on. The reason the C code is not made portable, is simply readability.</p> - <note> - <p>This section was written a long time ago. Most of it is still - valid, but some things have changed since then. - Most notably is the driver interface. Some updates have been made - to the documentation of the driver presented here, - but more can be done and is planned for the future. - The reader is encouraged to read the - <seealso marker="erl_driver"><c>erl_driver</c></seealso> and - <seealso marker="driver_entry"><c>driver_entry</c></seealso> - documentation also.</p> - </note> - <section> <title>Introduction</title> <p>To implement a new carrier for the Erlang distribution, the main steps are as follows.</p> + <note><p> + As of ERTS version 10.0 support for distribution controller + processes has been introduced. That is, the traffic over a + distribution channel can be managed by a process instead of + only by a port. This makes it possible to implement large + parts of the logic in Erlang code, and you perhaps do not + even need a new driver for the protocol. One example could + be Erlang distribution over UDP using <c>gen_udp</c> (your + Erlang code will of course have to take care of retranspissions, + etc in this example). That is, depending on what you want + to do you perhaps do not need to implement a driver at all + and can then skip the driver related sections below. + The <c>gen_tcp_dist</c> example described in the + <seealso marker="#distribution_module">Distribution + Module</seealso> section utilize distribution controller + processes and can be worth having a look at if you want to + use distribution controller processes. + </p></note> + <section> <title>Writing an Erlang Driver</title> <p>First, the protocol must be available to the Erlang machine, which @@ -152,7 +159,711 @@ </section> <section> + <marker id="distribution_module"/> + <title>Distribution Module</title> + <p> + The distribution module expose an API that <c>net_kernel</c> call + in order to manage connections to other nodes. The module name + should have the suffix <c>_dist</c>. + </p> + <p> + The module needs to create some kind of listening entity (process + or port) and an acceptor process that accepts incoming connections + using the listening entity. For each connection, the module at least + needs to create one connection supervisor process, which also is + responsible for the handshake when setting up the connection, and + a distribution controller (process or port) responsible for + transport of data over the connection. The distribution controller + and the connection supervisor process should be linked together + so both of them are cleaned up when the connection is taken down. + </p> + <p> + Note that there need to be exactly one distribution controller + per connection. A process or port can only be distribution + controller for one connection. The registration as distribution + controller cannot be undone. It will stick until the distribution + controller terminates. The distribution controller should not + ignore exit signals. It is allowed to trap exits, but it should + then voluntarily terminate when an exit signal is received. + </p> + <p> + An example implementation of a distribution module can be found + in + <url href="gen_tcp_dist.erl">$ERL_TOP/lib/kernel/examples/gen_tcp_dist/src/gen_tcp_dist.erl</url>. + It implements the distribution over TCP/IP using the <c>gen_tcp</c> + API with distribution controllers implemented by processes. This + instead of using port distribution controllers as the ordinary TCP/IP + distribution uses. + </p> + + <section> + <marker id="distribution_module_exported_callback_functions"/> + <title>Exported Callback Functions</title> + + <p> + The following functions are mandatory: + </p> + <taglist> + <tag><marker id="listen"/><c>listen(Name) -></c><br/> <c>{ok, {Listen, Address, Creation}} | {error, Error} </c></tag> + <item> + <p> + <c>listen/1</c> is called once in order to listen for incoming + connection requests. The call is made when the distribution is brought + up. The argument <c>Name</c> is the part of the node name before + the <c>@</c> sign in the full node name. It can be either an atom or a + string. + </p> + <p> + The return value consists of a <c>Listen</c> handle (which is + later passed to the <seealso marker="#accept"><c>accept/1</c></seealso> + callback), <c>Address</c> which is a <c>#net_address{}</c> record + with information about the address for the node (the + <c>#net_address{}</c> record is defined in + <c>kernel/include/net_address.hrl</c>), and <c>Creation</c> which + (currently) is an integer <c>1</c>, <c>2</c>, or <c>3</c>. + </p> + <p> + If <seealso marker="erts:epmd"><c>epmd</c></seealso> is to be used + for node discovery, you typically want to use the (unfortunately + undocumented) <c>erl_epmd</c> module (part of the <c>kernel</c> + application) in order to register the listen port with <c>epmd</c> + and retrieve <c>Creation</c> to use. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="accept"/><c>accept(Listen) -></c><br/> <c>AcceptorPid</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + <c>accept/1</c> should spawn a process that accepts connections. This + process should preferably execute on <c>max</c> priority. The process + identifier of this process should be returned. + </p> + <p> + The <c>Listen</c> argument will be the same as the <c>Listen</c> handle + part of the return value of the + <seealso marker="#listen"><c>listen/1</c></seealso> callback above. + <c>accept/1</c> is called only once when the distribution protocol is + started. + </p> + <p> + The caller of this function is a representative for <c>net_kernel</c> + (this may or may not be the process registered as <c>net_kernel</c>) + and is in this document identified as <c>Kernel</c>. + When a connection has been accepted by the acceptor process, it needs + to inform <c>Kernel</c> about the accepted connection. This is done by + passing a message on the form: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[Kernel ! {accept, AcceptorPid, DistController, Family, Proto}]]></code> + <p> + <c>DistController</c> is either the process or port identifier + of the distribution controller for the connection. The + distribution controller should be created by the acceptor + processes when a new connection is accepted. Its job is to + dispatch traffic on the connection. + </p> + <c>Kernel</c> responds with one of the following messages: + <taglist> + <tag><c>{Kernel, controller, SupervisorPid}</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The request was accepted and <c>SupervisorPid</c> is the + process identifier of the connection supervisor process + (which is created in the + <seealso marker="#accept_connection"><c>accept_connection/5</c></seealso> + callback). + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>{Kernel, unsupported_protocol}</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The request was rejected. This is a fatal error. The acceptor + process should terminate. + </p> + </item> + </taglist> + <p> + When an accept sequence has been completed the acceptor process + is expected to continue accepting further requests. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="accept_connection"/><c>accept_connection(AcceptorPid, DistCtrl, MyNode, Allowed, SetupTime) -></c><br/> <c>ConnectionSupervisorPid</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + <c>accept_connection/5</c> should spawn a process that will + perform the Erlang distribution handshake for the connection. + If the handshake successfully completes it should continue to + function as a connection supervisor. This process + should preferably execute on <c>max</c> priority. + </p> + <p>The arguments:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>AcceptorPid</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Process identifier of the process created by the + <seealso marker="#accept"><c>accept/1</c></seealso> + callback. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>DistCtrl</c></tag> + <item> + <p>The identifier of the distribution controller identifier + created by the acceptor process. To be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>MyNode</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Node name of this node. To be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>Allowed</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + To be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>SetupTime</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Time used for creating a setup timer by a + call to <c>dist_util:start_timer(SetupTime)</c>. + The timer should be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + </taglist> + <p> + The created process should provide callbacks and other + information needed for the handshake in a + <seealso marker="#hs_data_record"><c>#hs_data{}</c></seealso> + record and call <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started(HsData)</c> + with this record. + </p> + <p> + <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started(HsData)</c> will perform + the handshake and if the handshake successfully completes this + process will then continue in a connection supervisor loop + as long as the connection is up. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="setup"/><c>setup(Node, Type, MyNode, LongOrShortNames, SetupTime) -></c><br/> <c>ConnectionSupervisorPid</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + <c>setup/5</c> should spawn a process that connects to + <c>Node</c>. When connection has been established it should + perform the Erlang distribution handshake for the connection. + If the handshake successfully completes it should continue to + function as a connection supervisor. This process + should preferably execute on <c>max</c> priority. + </p> + <p>The arguments:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>Node</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Node name of remote node. To be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>Type</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Connection type. To be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>MyNode</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Node name of this node. To be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>LongOrShortNames</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Either the atom <c>longnames</c> or + the atom <c>shortnames</c> indicating + whether long or short names is used. + </p> + </item> + <tag><c>SetupTime</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Time used for creating a setup timer by a + call to <c>dist_util:start_timer(SetupTime)</c>. + The timer should be passed along to + <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started(HsData)</c>. + </p> + </item> + </taglist> + <p> + The caller of this function is a representative for <c>net_kernel</c> + (this may or may not be the process registered as <c>net_kernel</c>) + and is in this document identified as <c>Kernel</c>. + </p> + <p> + This function should, besides spawning the connection supervisor, + also create a distribution controller. The distribution + controller is either a process or a port which is responsible + for dispatching traffic. + </p> + <p> + The created process should provide callbacks and other + information needed for the handshake in a + <seealso marker="#hs_data_record"><c>#hs_data{}</c></seealso> + record and call <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started(HsData)</c> + with this record. + </p> + <p> + <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started(HsData)</c> will perform + the handshake and the handshake successfully completes this + process will then continue in a connection supervisor loop + as long as the connection is up. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="close"/><c>close(Listen) -></c><br/> <c>void()</c></tag> + + <item><p> + Called in order to close the <c>Listen</c> handle + that originally was passed from the + <seealso marker="#listen"><c>listen/1</c></seealso> callback. + </p></item> + + <tag><marker id="select"/><c>select(NodeName) -></c><br/> <c>boolean()</c></tag> + <item> + <p>Return <c>true</c> if the host name part + of the <c>NodeName</c> is valid for use + with this protocol; otherwise, <c>false</c>. + </p> + </item> + + </taglist> + + <p> + There are also two optional functions that may be + exported: + </p> + <taglist> + <tag><marker id="select"/><c>setopts(Listen, Opts) -></c><br/> <c>ok | {error, Error}</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The argument <c>Listen</c> is the handle originally passed + from the + <seealso marker="#listen"><c>listen/1</c></seealso> callback. + The argument <c>Opts</c> is a list of options to set on future + connections. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="select"/><c>getopts(Listen, Opts) -></c><br/> <c>{ok, OptionValues} | {error, Error}</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The argument <c>Listen</c> is the handle originally passed + from the + <seealso marker="#listen"><c>listen/1</c></seealso> callback. + The argument <c>Opts</c> is a list of options to read for future + connections. + </p> + </item> + </taglist> + + </section> + <section> + <marker id="hs_data_record"/> + <title>The #hs_data{} Record</title> + <p> + The <c>dist_util:handshake_we_started/1</c> and + <c>dist_util:handshake_other_started/1</c> functions + takes a <c>#hs_data{}</c> record as argument. There + are quite a lot of fields in this record that you + need to set. The record is defined in + <c>kernel/include/dist_util.hrl</c>. Not documented + fields should not be set, i.e., should be left as + <c>undefined</c>. + </p> + <p> + The following <c>#hs_data{}</c> record fields need + to be set unless otherwise stated:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><marker id="hs_data_kernel_pid"/><c>kernel_pid</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Process identifier of the <c>Kernel</c> process. That is, + the process that called either + <seealso marker="#setup"><c>setup/5</c></seealso> or + <seealso marker="#accept_connection"><c>accept_connection/5</c></seealso>. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_other_node"/><c>other_node</c></tag> + <item> + <p>Name of the other node. This field is only + mandatory when this node initiates the connection. + That is, when connection is set up via + <seealso marker="#setup"><c>setup/5</c></seealso>. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_this_node"/><c>this_node</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The node name of this node. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_socket"/><c>socket</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The identifier of the distribution controller. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_timer"/><c>timer</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The timer created using <c>dist_util:start_timer/1</c>. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_allowed"/><c>allowed</c></tag> + <item> + <p>Information passed as <c>Allowed</c> to + <c>accept_connection/5</c>. This field is only + mandatory when the remote node initiated the + connection. That is, when the connection is set + up via + <seealso marker="#accept_connection"><c>accept_connection/5</c></seealso>. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_send"/><c>f_send</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr, Data) -> ok | {error, Error}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier of + the distribution controller and <c>Data</c> + is io data to pass to the other side. + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_recv"/><c>f_recv</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr, Length) -> {ok, Packet} | {error, Reason}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier of the distribution + controller. + If <c>Length</c> is <c>0</c>, all available bytes should be + returned. If <c>Length > 0</c>, exactly <c>Length</c> bytes + should be returned, or an error; possibly discarding less + than <c>Length</c> bytes of data when the connection is + closed from the other side. + It is used for passive receive of data from the + other end. + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_setopts_pre_nodeup"/><c>f_setopts_pre_nodeup</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr) -> ok | {error, Error}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier of + the distribution controller. Called just + before the distribution channel is taken up + for normal traffic. + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_setopts_post_nodeup"/><c>f_setopts_post_nodeup</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr) -> ok | {error, Error}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier of + the distribution controller. Called just + after distribution channel has been taken + up for normal traffic. + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_getll"/><c>f_getll</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr) -> ID]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier of + the distribution controller and <c>ID</c> is + the identifier of the low level entity that + handles the connection (often <c>DistCtrlr</c> + itself). + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_address"/><c>f_address</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr, Node) -> NetAddress]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier of + the distribution controller, <c>Node</c> + is the node name of the node on the other end, + and <c>NetAddress</c> is a <c>#net_address{}</c> + record with information about the address + for the <c>Node</c> on the other end of the + connection. The <c>#net_address{}</c> record + is defined in + <c>kernel/include/net_address.hrl</c>. + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_mf_tick"/><c>mf_tick</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr) -> void()]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier + of the distribution controller. This + function should send information over + the connection that is not interpreted + by the other end while increasing the + statistics of received packets on the + other end. This is usually implemented by + sending an empty packet. + </p> + <note><p> + It is of vital importance that this operation + does not block the caller for a long time. + This since it is called from the connection + supervisor. + </p></note> + <p>Used when connection is up.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_mf_getstat"/><c>mf_getstat</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr) -> {ok, Received, Sent, PendSend}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier + of the distribution controller, <c>Received</c> + is received packets, <c>Sent</c> is + sent packets, and <c>PendSend</c> is + amount of packets in queue to be sent + or a <c>boolean()</c> indicating whether + there are packets in queue to be sent. + </p> + <note><p> + It is of vital importance that this operation + does not block the caller for a long time. + This since it is called from the connection + supervisor. + </p></note> + <p>Used when connection is up.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_request_type"/><c>request_type</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + The request <c>Type</c> as passed to + <seealso marker="#setup"><c>setup/5</c></seealso>. + This is only mandatory when the connection has + been initiated by this node. That is, the connection + is set up via <c>setup/5</c>. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_mf_setopts"/><c>mf_setopts</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrl, Opts) -> ok | {error, Error}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier + of the distribution controller and <c>Opts</c> + is a list of options to set on the connection. + </p> + <p>This function is optional. Used when connection is up.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_mf_getopts"/><c>mf_getopts</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrl, Opts) -> {ok, OptionValues} | {error, Error}]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier + of the distribution controller and <c>Opts</c> + is a list of options to read for the connection. + </p> + <p>This function is optional. Used when connection is up.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_f_handshake_complete"/><c>f_handshake_complete</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + A fun with the following signature: + </p> + <code type="none"><![CDATA[fun (DistCtrlr, Node, DHandle) -> void()]]></code> + <p> + where <c>DistCtrlr</c> is the identifier + of the distribution controller, <c>Node</c> is + the node name of the node connected at the other + end, and <c>DHandle</c> is a distribution handle + needed by a distribution controller process when + calling the following BIFs: + </p> + <list> + <item><p><seealso marker="erts:erlang#dist_ctrl_get_data/1"><c>erlang:dist_ctrl_get_data/1</c></seealso></p></item> + <item><p><seealso marker="erts:erlang#dist_ctrl_get_data_notification/1"><c>erlang:dist_ctrl_get_data_notification/1</c></seealso></p></item> + <item><p><seealso marker="erts:erlang#dist_ctrl_input_handler/2"><c>erlang:dist_ctrl_input_handler/2</c></seealso></p></item> + <item><p><seealso marker="erts:erlang#dist_ctrl_put_data/2"><c>erlang:dist_ctrl_put_data/2</c></seealso></p></item> + </list> + <p> + This function is called when the handshake has + completed and the distribution channel is up. + The distribution controller can begin dispatching + traffic over the channel. This function is optional. + </p> + <p>Only used during handshake phase.</p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_add_flags"/><c>add_flags</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + <seealso marker="erl_dist_protocol#dflags">Distribution flags</seealso> + to add to the connection. Currently all (non obsolete) flags will + automatically be enabled. + </p> + <p> + This flag field is optional. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_reject_flags"/><c>reject_flags</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + <seealso marker="erl_dist_protocol#dflags">Distribution flags</seealso> + to reject. Currently the following distribution flags can be rejected: + </p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>DFLAG_DIST_HDR_ATOM_CACHE</c></tag> + <item>Do not use atom cache over this connection.</item> + </taglist> + <p>Use function <c>dist_util:strict_order_flags/0</c> to get all flags + for features that require strict order delivery.</p> + <p> + This flag field is optional. + </p> + </item> + + <tag><marker id="hs_data_require_flags"/><c>require_flags</c></tag> + <item> + <p> + Require these <seealso marker="erl_dist_protocol#dflags">distribution + flags</seealso> to be used. The connection will be aborted during the + handshake if the other end does not use them. + </p> + <p> + This flag field is optional. + </p> + </item> + + </taglist> + </section> + + <section> + <marker id="distribution_data_delivery"/> + <title>Distribution Data Delivery</title> + <p> + When using the default configuration, the data to pass + over a connection needs to be delivered as is + to the node on the receiving end in the <em>exact same + order</em>, with no loss of data what so ever, as sent + from the sending node. + </p> + <p> + The data delivery order can be relaxed by disabling + features that require strict ordering. This is done by + passing the + <seealso marker="erl_dist_protocol#dflags">distribution flags</seealso> + returned by <c>dist_util:strict_order_flags/0</c> in the + <seealso marker="alt_dist#hs_data_reject_flags"><c>reject_flags</c></seealso> + field of the <seealso marker="#hs_data_record"><c>#hs_data{}</c></seealso> + record used when setting up the connection. When relaxed + ordering is used, only the order of signals with the same + sender/receiver pair has to be preserved. + However, note that disabling the features that require + strict ordering may have a negative impact on performance, + throughput, and/or latency. + </p> + </section> + + <section> + <marker id="enable_your_distribution_module"/> + <title>Enable Your Distribution Module</title> + + <p>For <c>net_kernel</c> to find out which distribution module to use, + the <c>erl</c> command-line argument <c>-proto_dist</c> is used. It + is followed by one or more distribution module names, with suffix + "_dist" removed. That is, <c>gen_tcp_dist</c> as a distribution module + is specified as <c>-proto_dist gen_tcp</c>.</p> + + <p>If no <c>epmd</c> (TCP port mapper daemon) is used, also command-line + option <c>-no_epmd</c> is to be specified, which makes + Erlang skip the <c>epmd</c> startup, both as an OS process and as an + Erlang ditto.</p> + </section> + + </section> + + <section> <title>The Driver</title> + + <note> + <p>This section was written a long time ago. Most of it is still + valid, but some things have changed since then. Some updates have + been made to the documentation of the driver presented here, + but more can be done and is planned for the future. + The reader is encouraged to read the + <seealso marker="erl_driver"><c>erl_driver</c></seealso> and + <seealso marker="driver_entry"><c>driver_entry</c></seealso> + documentation also.</p> + </note> + <p>Although Erlang drivers in general can be beyond the scope of this section, a brief introduction seems to be in place.</p> |