added some docs

lib/paxos.ex

@@ -1,11 +1,30 @@
+#
+#  This files contains some modules nessesary for paxos to work
+#
+#     Utils: General Utilities
+#     Paxos: Paxos logic
+#     Ballot: Contain the logic to handle the ballot numbers
+#     EventualLeaderElector: Leader elector code
+#     EagerReliableBroadcast: Handles eager reliable broadcast
+#
+
 defmodule Utils do
   @moduledoc """
-    This module contains some helpful functions are used throughout
+    This module contains some helpful functions are used throughout all modules
   """
   
-
+  @doc """
+    Sets the min log level
+    0 - show all
+    1 - ignore paxos
+    2 - ignore server
+  """
   @min_print_level 3
   
+  @doc """
+    This function works similiary with unicast but it allows both for a pid or an atom 
+    to be given as the first parameter
+  """
   def safecast(p, m) when p == nil, do: IO.puts('Trying to safecast #{m} with p as nil')
   def safecast(p, m) when is_pid(p), do: send(p, m)
   def safecast(p, m) do
@@ -15,9 +34,19 @@ defmodule Utils do
     end
   end
 
+  @doc """
+    This function creates a new name for processes
+  """
   def alter_name(name, part), do: :"#{name}#{part}"
+
+  @doc """
+    This function sends a message to a list of porcesses
+  """
   def beb_broadcast(m, dest), do: for(p <- dest, do: safecast(p, m))
 
+  @doc """
+    This function register a pid in the global name space
+  """
   def register_name(name, pid, link \\ true) do
     case :global.re_register_name(name, pid) do
       :yes ->
@@ -34,6 +63,9 @@ defmodule Utils do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This macro defines a new log function for a specific log level
+  """
   defmacro create_log(level) do
     quote do
       def log(msg) do
@@ -42,12 +74,25 @@ defmodule Utils do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This function is used bu the create_log macro.
+
+    This function only prints logs if the level definied in the create_log macro
+  """
   def _log(msg, level) do
     if (@min_print_level <= level) do
       IO.puts(msg)
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This macro defines a an or_state function that acts like this:
+      if val do
+        expr
+      else
+        state
+      end
+  """
   defmacro or_state(val, do: expr) do
     quote do
       case unquote(val) do
@@ -57,6 +102,9 @@ defmodule Utils do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This macro defines a macro to simplify the process of creating run functions
+  """
   defmacro runfn(do: expr) do
     quote do
       def run(s) do
@@ -69,20 +117,25 @@ defmodule Utils do
   end
 end
 
-#
-#
-# Possible actions
-#  :kill_before_decision 
-#  :increase_ballot_number - this makes it so that it does not propose but jump simply increases the number of the current ballot
-#                            this is usefull when forcing a nack
-#
 defmodule Paxos do
+  @moduledoc """
+    This module contains all the logic for Paxos
+
+    To start a paxos instance run Paxos.start
+
+    To propose a a value to paxos run Paxos.propose
+
+    To get a previous decision please run Paxos.get_decision
+  """
   require Utils
   import Utils
 
   create_log 0
   
-  defmacro set_instmap(do: expr) do
+  @doc """
+    This macro allows the state.instmap to be updated very easily
+  """
+  defmacrop set_instmap(do: expr) do
     quote do
       var!(map) = var!(state).instmap[var!(inst)]
       new_instmap = Map.put(var!(state).instmap, var!(inst), unquote(expr))
@@ -90,7 +143,9 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     end
   end
   
-  # Starts the Paxos replica with a specific name and some processes
+  @doc """
+    Starts the Paxos replica with a specific name and some processes
+  """
   def start(name, processes, link \\ false) do
     log("Starting paxos for #{name}")
 
@@ -98,8 +153,9 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     register_name(name, pid, link)
   end
   
-  # Init event must be the first
-  # one after the component is created
+  @doc """
+    Inicializes the state starts the eager reliable broadcast, and starts the eventual leader eletector
+  """
   def init(name, processes) do
     EventualLeaderElector.start(name, processes)
     EagerReliableBroadcast.start(name, processes)
@@ -115,8 +171,10 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     run(state)
   end
   
-  # Guarantees that a specific state exists
-  def has_or_create(state, inst, value \\ nil, pid_to_inform \\ nil, action \\ nil) do
+  @doc """
+    Guarantees that a specific state exists for a specific instance
+  """
+  defp has_or_create(state, inst, value \\ nil, pid_to_inform \\ nil, action \\ nil) do
     or_state state.instmap[inst] == nil do
       instmap =
         Map.put(state.instmap, inst, %{
@@ -139,7 +197,12 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     end
   end
   
-  def has_finished(state, inst, ignore_aborted \\ false) do
+  @doc """
+    Checks if an instance has finished or if it was aborted. 
+    If the optional parameter ignore_aborted was set to true makes this function only check
+      if the the instance has finished
+  """
+  defp has_finished(state, inst, ignore_aborted \\ false) do
     cond do
       Map.has_key?(state.decided, inst) -> true
       ignore_aborted -> false
@@ -148,7 +211,23 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This is the run/recieve function
+    All the messages that are handled by this function are:
+      {:ele_trust, proc} ->
+      {:propose, inst, value, pid_to_inform, action} ->
+      {:rb_deliver, proc, {:other_propose, inst, value}} ->
+      {:rb_deliver, proc, {:prepare, proc, inst, ballot}} ->
+      {:nack, inst, ballot} ->
+      {:rb_deliver, _proc, {:abort, inst, ballot}} ->
+      {:prepared, inst, ballot, accepted_ballot, accepted_value} ->
+      {:rb_deliver, proc, {:accept, inst, ballot, value}} ->
+      {:accepted, inst, ballot} ->
+      {:get_value, inst, pid_to_inform} ->
+      {:rb_deliver, _, {:decide, inst, value}} ->
+  """
   runfn do
+    # Handles leader elector
     {:ele_trust, proc} ->
       log("#{state.name} - #{proc} is leader")
 
@@ -156,6 +235,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
         prepare(st, inst)
       end)
     
+    # Handles a proposal from the parent process
     {:propose, inst, value, pid_to_inform, action} ->
       log("#{state.name} - Propose #{inspect(inst)} with action #{inspect(action)}")
 
@@ -196,6 +276,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           prepare(state, inst)
       end
     
+    # Handles the sharing of a proposal value to other processes
     {:rb_deliver, proc, {:other_propose, inst, value}} ->
       cond do
         has_finished(state, inst, true) ->
@@ -213,6 +294,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           prepare(state, inst)
       end
     
+    # Handles a prepare request from the leader
     {:rb_deliver, proc, {:prepare, proc, inst, ballot}} ->
       log("#{state.name} - prepare from #{proc}")
 
@@ -244,6 +326,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           state
       end
     
+    # Handles a nack
     {:nack, inst, ballot} ->
       log("#{state.name} - nack #{inspect(inst)} #{inspect(ballot)}")
 
@@ -270,6 +353,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           state
       end
 
+    # Handles an abort
     {:rb_deliver, _proc, {:abort, inst, ballot}} ->
       cond do
         has_finished(state, inst) ->
@@ -285,6 +369,8 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           state
       end
 
+    # Handles a prepared
+    # Sends out accept when a quorum is met
     {:prepared, inst, ballot, accepted_ballot, accepted_value} ->
       log(
         "#{state.name} - prepared #{inspect(inst)} #{inspect(ballot)} #{inspect(accepted_ballot)} #{inspect(accepted_value)}"
@@ -311,6 +397,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           state
       end
 
+    # Handles a accept
     {:rb_deliver, proc, {:accept, inst, ballot, value}} ->
       cond do
         has_finished(state, inst) ->
@@ -338,6 +425,8 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           end
       end
 
+    # Handles a accept
+    # Sends out accept when a decide when a quoeom is met
     {:accepted, inst, ballot} ->
       log("#{state.name} - accepted #{inspect(inst)} #{inspect(ballot)}")
 
@@ -356,6 +445,7 @@ defmodule Paxos do
           state
       end
     
+    # handles a parent request to get a value
     {:get_value, inst, pid_to_inform} ->
       # log("#{state.name} get_value")
       if  has_finished(state, inst, true) do
@@ -363,6 +453,8 @@ defmodule Paxos do
       end
       state
     
+    # Adds a decision made by a leader to the list of decisions
+    # and informs the parent of the decision
     {:rb_deliver, _, {:decide, inst, value}} ->
       log("#{state.name} - decided #{inspect(inst)} #{inspect(value)}")
 
@@ -379,13 +471,12 @@ defmodule Paxos do
       end
   end
 
-  #
-  # Puts process in the preapre state
-  #
-
-  def prepare(state, _) when state.leader != state.name, do: state
-
-  def prepare(state, inst) do
+  @doc """
+    Does the logic to decide when to send the prepare messages
+    Also sets the state nessesary to run the proposal
+  """
+  defp prepare(state, _) when state.leader != state.name, do: state
+  defp prepare(state, inst) do
     cond do
       state.instmap[inst] == nil ->
         state
@@ -417,12 +508,11 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     end
   end
 
-  #
-  # Process the prepared responses
-  #
-  def prepared(state, _) when state.leader != state.name, do: state
-
-  def prepared(state, inst) do
+  @doc """
+    Processes the prepared messages and when a quorum is met the accept messages are send
+  """
+  defp prepared(state, _) when state.leader != state.name, do: state
+  defp prepared(state, inst) do
     if length(state.instmap[inst].prepared_values) >= floor(length(state.processes) / 2) + 1 and
          not state.instmap[inst].has_sent_accept do
       {_, a_val} =
@@ -465,13 +555,12 @@ defmodule Paxos do
     end
   end
 
-  #
-  # Process the accepted responses
-  #
-  def accepted(state, _) when state.leader != state.name, do: state
-
-  def accepted(state, inst) do
-    if state.instmap[inst].accepted >= floor(length(state.processes) / 2) + 1 do
+  @doc """
+    Processes the accepted messages and when a qurum is met decide on the value
+  """
+  defp accepted(state, _) when state.leader != state.name, do: state
+  defp accepted(state, inst) do
+    or_state state.instmap[inst].accepted >= floor(length(state.processes) / 2) + 1 do
       value = state.instmap[inst].ballot_value
 
       if state.instmap[inst].action == :kill_before_decision do
@@ -493,69 +582,76 @@ defmodule Paxos do
         | decided: Map.put(state.decided, inst, value),
           instmap: Map.delete(state.instmap, inst)
       }
-    else
-      state
     end
   end
 
+  #######################
+  #      Interface      #
+  #######################
+  
+  @doc """
+    Send the propose message to the paxos replica and waits for a response from the correct instance
+  """
   def propose(pid, inst, value, t, action \\ nil) do
     send(pid, {:propose, inst, value, self(), action})
 
-    propose_loop({inst, t})
+    propose_loop(inst, t)
   end
   
-  def propose_loop(input) do
-    {_, t} = input
+  @doc """
+    Waits the right message from the paxos replica
+  """
+  defp propose_loop(inst, t) do
     receive do
-      {:timeout, inst} ->
-        check_and_apply({:timeout}, inst, input, &propose_loop/1)
-
-      {:abort, inst} ->
-        check_and_apply({:abort}, inst, input, &propose_loop/1)
-
-      {:decision, inst, d} ->
-        check_and_apply({:decision, d}, inst, input, &propose_loop/1)
-
+      {:timeout, ^inst} -> {:timeout}
+      {:abort, ^inst} -> {:abort}
+      {:decision, ^inst, d} -> {:decision, d}
       x ->
         Process.send_after(self(), x, 500)
-        propose_loop(input)
+        propose_loop(inst, t)
     after
       t -> {:timeout}
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Sends the :get_value message to the paxos replica
+  """
   def get_decision(pid, inst, t) do
     send(pid, {:get_value, inst, self()})
-    get_decision_loop({inst, t})
+    get_decision_loop(inst, t)
   end
   
-  def get_decision_loop(input) do
-    {_, t} = input
+  @doc """
+    Sends waits for the right message from the paxos replica
+  """
+  defp get_decision_loop(inst, t) do
     receive do
-      {:get_value_res, inst, v} ->
-        check_and_apply(v, inst, input, &get_decision_loop/1)
+      {:get_value_res, ^inst, v} ->
+        v
 
       x ->
         Process.send_after(self(), x, 500)
-        get_decision_loop(input)
+        get_decision_loop(inst, t)
     after
       t -> nil
     end
   end
-
-  def check_and_apply(v, inst, input, fun) do
-    {inInst, _} = input
-    if inst == inInst do
-      v
-    else
-      fun.(input)
-    end
-  end
 end
 
 defmodule Ballot do
+  @moduledoc """
+    A set of a helper functions to manage ballots
+  """
+
+  @doc """
+    Create a new ballot
+  """
   def init(name, number \\ 0), do:  {name, number}
   
+  @doc """
+    Increase the ballot number
+  """
   def inc(b, name \\ nil) do
     {old_name, number} = b
 
@@ -565,6 +661,9 @@ defmodule Ballot do
     }
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Compare the name of 2 processes and select the lowest one
+  """
   defp lexicographical_compare(a, b) do
     cond do
       a == b -> 0
@@ -573,7 +672,9 @@ defmodule Ballot do
     end
   end
 
-
+  @doc """
+    Callculate the difference between w ballots
+  """
   defp diff({name1, number1}, {name2, number2}) do
     diff = number1 - number2
     if diff == 0 do
@@ -583,24 +684,41 @@ defmodule Ballot do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Compare 2 ballots
+  """
   def compare(b1, operator, b2), do:  operator.(diff(b1, b2), 0)
 end
 
 defmodule EagerReliableBroadcast do
+  @moduledoc """
+    This modules implents eager reiable broadcast with the optimization of removing the from the deliver list after hearing
+    the same number of echos as there is processes
+
+    emits {:rb_deliver, proc, message}
+  """
+
   require Utils
   import Utils
   
-  def get_non_rb_name(name) do
+  @doc """
+    Removes _br from the name of a process
+  """
+  defp get_non_rb_name(name) do
     String.to_atom(String.replace(Atom.to_string(name), "_rb", ""))
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Starts the Eager reliable process and registers it with a name and links the process with the parent process
+  """
   def start(name, processes) do
     pid = spawn(EagerReliableBroadcast, :init, [name, processes])
     register_name(alter_name(name, "_rb"), pid)
   end
 
-  # Init event must be the first
-  # one after the component is created
+  @doc """
+    Sets state and calls the run function
+  """
   def init(parent, processes) do
     state = %{
       name: alter_name(parent, "_rb"),
@@ -643,17 +761,24 @@ defmodule EagerReliableBroadcast do
   #############
   # Interface #
   #############
+  @doc """
+    Sends a a broadcast request to the eager reliable broadcast replica
+  """
   def broadcast(name, m), do: safecast(alter_name(name, "_rb"), {:broadcast, m})
 end
 
-#
-# Emits {:ele_trust, proc }
-#
-
 defmodule EventualLeaderElector do
+  @moduledoc """
+    This modules implents eventual leader elector
+
+    emits {:ele_leader, proc}
+  """
   require Utils
   import Utils
   
+  @doc """
+    Initializes the leader elector process and registers is under name_ele and links it with the parent process
+  """
   def start(name, processes) do
     new_name = alter_name(name, "_ele")
     pid = spawn(EventualLeaderElector, :init, [new_name, name, processes])
@@ -661,8 +786,9 @@ defmodule EventualLeaderElector do
     register_name(new_name, pid)
   end
 
-  # Init event must be the first
-  # one after the component is created
+  @doc """
+    Initializes state and starts the run function
+  """
   def init(name, parent, processes) do
     processes = Enum.map(processes, fn name -> alter_name(name, "_ele") end)
 
@@ -679,6 +805,9 @@ defmodule EventualLeaderElector do
     run(request_heartbeats(state))
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Clears heard_back and updates the sequence number and then sends a request for heartbeats to all proccesses
+  """
   def request_heartbeats(state) do
     state = %{state | heard_back: MapSet.new(), seq: state.seq + 1}
     beb_broadcast({:heartbeat_request, state.name, state.seq}, state.processes)
@@ -688,15 +817,18 @@ defmodule EventualLeaderElector do
   end
 
   runfn do
+    # Answer to a heartbeat_request
     {:heartbeat_request, name, seq} ->
       safecast(name, {:heartbeat, state.parent, seq})
       state
     
+    # Update heard_back with this name
     {:heartbeat, name, seq} ->
       or_state seq == state.seq do
         %{state | heard_back: MapSet.put(state.heard_back, name)}
       end
     
+    # One time out check the heard_back and send if a new leader is elected inform the parent
     {:timeout} ->
       state = or_state MapSet.size(state.heard_back) >= floor(length(state.processes)/2) + 1 do
         to_trust = Enum.at(Enum.sort(MapSet.to_list(state.heard_back)), 0)

lib/server.ex

@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 defmodule ServerMacros do
+  @moduledoc """
+    This module defines some helper macros that are used within the server macro
+  """
   
-  def create_create_loop(name, do: match_exp, else: process_exp) do
+  @doc """
+    This macro creates a wait loop to wait for the messages that are receive match what is inside the
+    loop
+  """
+  defmacro create_loop(name, do: match_exp) do
     function_name = :"#{name}_loop"
 
     ast1 = quote do
@@ -19,7 +26,6 @@ defmodule ServerMacros do
     quote do
       defp unquote(function_name)(v, t) do
         var!(v) = v
-        unquote(process_exp)
         receive do
           unquote(ast3)
         after
@@ -29,18 +35,10 @@ defmodule ServerMacros do
     end
   end
   
-  def create_create_loop(name, do: exp, else: else_exp) do
-    create_create_loop(name, do: exp, else: else_exp)
-  end
-
-  def create_create_loop(name, do: exp) do
-    create_create_loop(name, do: exp, else: nil)
-  end
-
-  defmacro create_loop(name, clauses) do
-  	create_create_loop(name, clauses)
-  end
-
+  @doc """
+    this function tries to propose and on failure it calls the else block and
+    on success tries to match with the expressions on the do block
+  """
   defmacro try_propose(val, do: ready, else: recal_do) do
     ast1 = quote do
       {:timeout} ->  unquote(recal_do)
@@ -68,6 +66,9 @@ defmodule ServerMacros do
 end
 
 defmodule Server do
+  @moduledoc """
+    Contains the to run the server Code
+  """
   require ServerMacros
   import ServerMacros
   require Utils
@@ -75,13 +76,19 @@ defmodule Server do
 
   create_log 2
   
+  @doc """
+    Contains the start code for the server
+  """
   def start(name, participants) do
-    log("starting server")
+    log("#{name} Starting server")
 
     pid = spawn(Server, :init, [name, participants])
     register_name(name, pid, false)
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Initializes the state and starts the paxos inspect and then it calls the run fn
+  """
   def init(name, participants) do
     paxos = Paxos.start(alter_name(name, "_paxos"), Enum.map(participants, fn name -> alter_name(name, "_paxos") end), true)
     state = %{
@@ -114,6 +121,9 @@ defmodule Server do
 
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Checks if the user can play the move before starting the requesting the user to play
+  """
   defp try_to_play_checks(state, game_id, move, pid_to_inform, repeat \\ false) do
     cond do
       state.games[game_id] == :not_playing_in_game ->
@@ -155,6 +165,9 @@ defmodule Server do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Tries to propose to paxos the game action
+  """
   defp try_to_play(state, game_id, move, pid_to_inform) do
     name = state.name
     
@@ -196,6 +209,9 @@ defmodule Server do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Get the most recent game_state and return it to the player
+  """
   defp get_game_state(state, game_id, pid_to_inform, repeat \\ false) do
     cond do 
       state.games[game_id] == :not_playing_in_game ->
@@ -224,6 +240,9 @@ defmodule Server do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This generates a new hand based on the current game state
+  """
   defp get_hand_for_game_state(game_state) do
     r1 = Enum.random(0..100)
     cond do 
@@ -238,6 +257,9 @@ defmodule Server do
     end 
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    This tries to create a game by sending the create message to paxos
+  """
   defp try_to_create_game(state, participants) do
     game_ids = Map.keys(state.games)
     latest = Enum.at(Enum.sort(game_ids), length(game_ids) - 1)
@@ -259,7 +281,9 @@ defmodule Server do
   #
   # Utils
   #
-  
+  @doc """
+    Checks if a game has been finished
+  """
   defp is_finished(state, game) do
     case state.games[game] do
       {:finished, _} -> true
@@ -267,6 +291,9 @@ defmodule Server do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Gets up to the most recent instance
+  """
   defp qurey_status(state) do
     v = Paxos.get_decision(state.paxos, state.instance, 100)
     or_state v != nil do
@@ -275,6 +302,9 @@ defmodule Server do
     end
   end
   
+  @doc """
+    Sets the modified flag
+  """
   defp set_modifed(state, game, val \\ false) do
     or_state not is_finished(state, game) and state.games[game] != :not_playing_in_game and state.games[game] != nil do
       %{state | games: Map.put(state.games, game, %{state.games[game] | modified: val})}