Search documentation of Erlang System Documentation

# Appup Cookbook

View Source

This section includes examples of `.appup` files for typical cases of upgrades/downgrades done in runtime.

## Changing a Functional Module

When a functional module has been changed, for example, if a new function has been added or a bug has been corrected, simple code replacement is sufficient, for example:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{load_module, m}]}],
     [{"1", [{load_module, m}]}]
    }.

## Changing a Residence Module

In a system implemented according to the OTP design principles, all processes, except system processes and special processes, reside in one of the behaviours `supervisor`, `gen_server`, `gen_statem`, `gen_event`, or `gen_fsm`. These belong to the STDLIB application and upgrading/downgrading normally requires a runtime system restart.

Thus, OTP provides no support for changing residence modules except in the case of special processes.

## Changing a Callback Module

A callback module is a functional module, and for code extensions simple code replacement is sufficient.

Example

When adding a function to `ch3`, as described in the example in Release Handling, `ch_app.appup` looks as follows:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{load_module, ch3}]}],
     [{"1", [{load_module, ch3}]}]
    }.

OTP also supports changing the internal state of behaviour processes; see Changing Internal State.

## Changing Internal State

In this case, simple code replacement is not sufficient. The process must explicitly transform its state using the callback function `code_change/3` before switching to the new version of the callback module. Thus, synchronized code replacement is used.

Example

Consider the `ch3` module from gen_server Behaviour. The internal state is a term `Chs` representing the available channels. Assume you want to add a counter `N`, which keeps track of the number of `alloc` requests so far. This means that the format must be changed to `{Chs,N}`.

The `.appup` file can look as follows:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{update, ch3, {advanced, []}}]}],
     [{"1", [{update, ch3, {advanced, []}}]}]
    }.

The third element of the `update` instruction is a tuple `{advanced,Extra}`, which says that the affected processes are to do a state transformation before loading the new version of the module. This is done by the processes calling the callback function `code_change/3` (see `gen_server` in STDLIB). The term `Extra`, in this case `[]`, is passed as is to the function:

    -module(ch3).
    ...
    -export([code_change/3]).
    ...
    code_change({down, _Vsn}, {Chs, N}, _Extra) ->
        {ok, Chs};
    code_change(_Vsn, Chs, _Extra) ->
        {ok, {Chs, 0}}.

The first argument is `{down,Vsn}` if there is a downgrade, or `Vsn` if there is a upgrade. The term `Vsn` is fetched from the 'original' version of the module, that is, the version you are upgrading from, or downgrading to.

The version is defined by the module attribute `vsn`, if any. There is no such attribute in `ch3`, so in this case the version is the checksum (a huge integer) of the beam file, an uninteresting value, which is ignored.

The other callback functions of `ch3` must also be modified and perhaps a new interface function must be added, but this is not shown here.

## Module Dependencies

Assume that a module is extended by adding an interface function, as in the example in Release Handling, where a function `available/0` is added to `ch3`.

If a call is added to this function, say in module `m1`, a runtime error could can occur during release upgrade if the new version of `m1` is loaded first and calls `ch3:available/0` before the new version of `ch3` is loaded.

Thus, `ch3` must be loaded before `m1`, in the upgrade case, and conversely in the downgrade case. `m1` is said to be dependent on `ch3`. In a release handling instruction, this is expressed by the `DepMods` element:

    {load_module, Module, DepMods}
    {update, Module, {advanced, Extra}, DepMods}

`DepMods` is a list of modules, on which `Module` is dependent.

Example

The module `m1` in application `myapp` is dependent on `ch3` when upgrading from "1" to "2", or downgrading from "2" to "1":

    myapp.appup:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{load_module, m1, [ch3]}]}],
     [{"1", [{load_module, m1, [ch3]}]}]
    }.

    ch_app.appup:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{load_module, ch3}]}],
     [{"1", [{load_module, ch3}]}]
    }.

If instead `m1` and `ch3` belong to the same application, the `.appup` file can look as follows:

    {"2",
     [{"1",
       [{load_module, ch3},
        {load_module, m1, [ch3]}]}],
     [{"1",
       [{load_module, ch3},
        {load_module, m1, [ch3]}]}]
    }.

`m1` is dependent on `ch3` also when downgrading. `systools` knows the difference between up- and downgrading and generates a correct `relup`, where `ch3` is loaded before `m1` when upgrading, but `m1` is loaded before `ch3` when downgrading.

## Changing Code for a Special Process

In this case, simple code replacement is not sufficient. When a new version of a residence module for a special process is loaded, the process must make a fully qualified call to its loop function to switch to the new code. Thus, synchronized code replacement must be used.

#### Note

The name(s) of the user-defined residence module(s) must be listed in the `Modules` part of the child specification for the special process. Otherwise the release handler cannot find the process.

Example

Consider the example `ch4` in sys and proc_lib. When started by a supervisor, the child specification can look as follows:

    {ch4, {ch4, start_link, []},
     permanent, brutal_kill, worker, [ch4]}

If `ch4` is part of the application `sp_app` and a new version of the module is to be loaded when upgrading from version "1" to "2" of this application, `sp_app.appup` can look as follows:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{update, ch4, {advanced, []}}]}],
     [{"1", [{update, ch4, {advanced, []}}]}]
    }.

The `update` instruction must contain the tuple `{advanced,Extra}`. The instruction makes the special process call the callback function `system_code_change/4`, a function the user must implement. The term `Extra`, in this case `[]`, is passed as is to `system_code_change/4`:

    -module(ch4).
    ...
    -export([system_code_change/4]).
    ...

    system_code_change(Chs, _Module, _OldVsn, _Extra) ->
        {ok, Chs}.

- The first argument is the internal state `State`, passed from function `sys:handle_system_msg(Request, From, Parent, Module, Deb, State)`, and called by the special process when a system message is received. In `ch4`, the internal state is the set of available channels `Chs`.
- The second argument is the name of the module (`ch4`).
- The third argument is `Vsn` or `{down,Vsn}`, as described for `gen_server:code_change/3` in Changing Internal State.

In this case, all arguments but the first are ignored and the function simply returns the internal state again. This is enough if the code only has been extended. If instead the internal state is changed (similar to the example in Changing Internal State), this is done in this function and `{ok,Chs2}` returned.

## Changing a Supervisor

The supervisor behaviour supports changing the internal state, that is, changing the restart strategy and maximum restart frequency properties, as well as changing the existing child specifications.

Child processes can be added or deleted, but this is not handled automatically. Instructions must be given by in the `.appup` file.

### Changing Properties

Since the supervisor is to change its internal state, synchronized code replacement is required. However, a special `update` instruction must be used.

First, the new version of the callback module must be loaded, both in the case of upgrade and downgrade. Then the new return value of `init/1` can be checked and the internal state be changed accordingly.

The following `upgrade` instruction is used for supervisors:

    {update, Module, supervisor}

Example

To change the restart strategy of `ch_sup` (from Supervisor Behaviour) from `one_for_one` to `one_for_all`, change the callback function `init/1` in `ch_sup.erl`:

    -module(ch_sup).
    ...

    init(_Args) ->
        {ok, {#{strategy => one_for_all, ...}, ...}}.

The file `ch_app.appup`:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{update, ch_sup, supervisor}]}],
     [{"1", [{update, ch_sup, supervisor}]}]
    }.

### Changing Child Specifications

The instruction, and thus the `.appup` file, when changing an existing child specification, is the same as when changing properties as described earlier:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{update, ch_sup, supervisor}]}],
     [{"1", [{update, ch_sup, supervisor}]}]
    }.

The changes do not affect existing child processes. For example, changing the start function only specifies how the child process is to be restarted, if needed later on.

The id of the child specification cannot be changed.

Changing the `Modules` field of the child specification can affect the release handling process itself, as this field is used to identify which processes are affected when doing a synchronized code replacement.

### Adding and Deleting Child Processes

As stated earlier, changing child specifications does not affect existing child processes. New child specifications are automatically added, but not deleted. Child processes are not automatically started or terminated, this must be done using `apply` instructions.

Example

Assume a new child process `m1` is to be added to `ch_sup` when upgrading `ch_app` from "1" to "2". This means `m1` is to be deleted when downgrading from "2" to "1":

    {"2",
     [{"1",
       [{update, ch_sup, supervisor},
        {apply, {supervisor, restart_child, [ch_sup, m1]}}
       ]}],
     [{"1",
       [{apply, {supervisor, terminate_child, [ch_sup, m1]}},
        {apply, {supervisor, delete_child, [ch_sup, m1]}},
        {update, ch_sup, supervisor}
       ]}]
    }.

The order of the instructions is important.

The supervisor must be registered as `ch_sup` for the script to work. If the supervisor is not registered, it cannot be accessed directly from the script. Instead a help function that finds the pid of the supervisor and calls `supervisor:restart_child`, and so on, must be written. This function is then to be called from the script using the `apply` instruction.

If the module `m1` is introduced in version "2" of `ch_app`, it must also be loaded when upgrading and deleted when downgrading:

    {"2",
     [{"1",
       [{add_module, m1},
        {update, ch_sup, supervisor},
        {apply, {supervisor, restart_child, [ch_sup, m1]}}
       ]}],
     [{"1",
       [{apply, {supervisor, terminate_child, [ch_sup, m1]}},
        {apply, {supervisor, delete_child, [ch_sup, m1]}},
        {update, ch_sup, supervisor},
        {delete_module, m1}
       ]}]
    }.

As stated earlier, the order of the instructions is important. When upgrading, `m1` must be loaded, and the supervisor child specification changed, before the new child process can be started. When downgrading, the child process must be terminated before the child specification is changed and the module is deleted.

## Adding or Deleting a Module

_Example

_ A new functional module `m` is added to `ch_app`:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{add_module, m}]}],
     [{"1", [{delete_module, m}]}]

## Starting or Terminating a Process

In a system structured according to the OTP design principles, any process would be a child process belonging to a supervisor, see Adding and Deleting Child Processes in Changing a Supervisor.

## Adding or Removing an Application

When adding or removing an application, no `.appup` file is needed. When generating `relup`, the `.rel` files are compared and the `add_application` and `remove_application` instructions are added automatically.

## Restarting an Application

Restarting an application is useful when a change is too complicated to be made without restarting the processes, for example, if the supervisor hierarchy has been restructured.

Example

When adding a child `m1` to `ch_sup`, as in Adding and Deleting Child Processes in Changing a Supervisor, an alternative to updating the supervisor is to restart the entire application:

    {"2",
     [{"1", [{restart_application, ch_app}]}],
     [{"1", [{restart_application, ch_app}]}]
    }.

## Changing an Application Specification

When installing a release, the application specifications are automatically updated before evaluating the `relup` script. Thus, no instructions are needed in the `.appup` file:

    {"2",
     [{"1", []}],
     [{"1", []}]
    }.

## Changing Application Configuration

Changing an application configuration by updating the `env` key in the `.app` file is an instance of changing an application specification, see the previous section.

Alternatively, application configuration parameters can be added or updated in `sys.config`.

## Changing Included Applications

The release handling instructions for adding, removing, and restarting applications apply to primary applications only. There are no corresponding instructions for included applications. However, since an included application is really a supervision tree with a topmost supervisor, started as a child process to a supervisor in the including application, a `.relup` file can be manually created.

Example

Assume there is a release containing an application `prim_app`, which have a supervisor `prim_sup` in its supervision tree.

In a new version of the release, the application `ch_app` is to be included in `prim_app`. That is, its topmost supervisor `ch_sup` is to be started as a child process to `prim_sup`.

The workflow is as follows:

Step 1) Edit the code for `prim_sup`:

    init(...) ->
        {ok, {...supervisor flags...,
              [...,
               {ch_sup, {ch_sup,start_link,[]},
                permanent,infinity,supervisor,[ch_sup]},
               ...]}}.

Step 2) Edit the `.app` file for `prim_app`:

    {application, prim_app,
     [...,
      {vsn, "2"},
      ...,
      {included_applications, [ch_app]},
      ...
     ]}.

Step 3) Create a new `.rel` file, including `ch_app`:

    {release,
     ...,
     [...,
      {prim_app, "2"},
      {ch_app, "1"}]}.

The included application can be started in two ways. This is described in the next two sections.

### Application Restart

Step 4a) One way to start the included application is to restart the entire `prim_app` application. Normally, the `restart_application` instruction in the `.appup` file for `prim_app` would be used.

However, if this is done and a `.relup` file is generated, not only would it contain instructions for restarting (that is, removing and adding) `prim_app`, it would also contain instructions for starting `ch_app` (and stopping it, in the case of downgrade). This is because `ch_app` is included in the new `.rel` file, but not in the old one.

Instead, a correct `relup` file can be created manually, either from scratch or by editing the generated version. The instructions for starting/stopping `ch_app` are replaced by instructions for loading/unloading the application:

    {"B",
     [{"A",
       [],
       [{load_object_code,{ch_app,"1",[ch_sup,ch3]}},
        {load_object_code,{prim_app,"2",[prim_app,prim_sup]}},
        point_of_no_return,
        {apply,{application,stop,[prim_app]}},
        {remove,{prim_app,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {remove,{prim_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {purge,[prim_app,prim_sup]},
        {load,{prim_app,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {load,{prim_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {load,{ch_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {load,{ch3,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {apply,{application,load,[ch_app]}},
        {apply,{application,start,[prim_app,permanent]}}]}],
     [{"A",
       [],
       [{load_object_code,{prim_app,"1",[prim_app,prim_sup]}},
        point_of_no_return,
        {apply,{application,stop,[prim_app]}},
        {apply,{application,unload,[ch_app]}},
        {remove,{ch_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {remove,{ch3,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {purge,[ch_sup,ch3]},
        {remove,{prim_app,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {remove,{prim_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {purge,[prim_app,prim_sup]},
        {load,{prim_app,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {load,{prim_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {apply,{application,start,[prim_app,permanent]}}]}]
    }.

### Supervisor Change

Step 4b) Another way to start the included application (or stop it in the case of downgrade) is by combining instructions for adding and removing child processes to/from `prim_sup` with instructions for loading/unloading all `ch_app` code and its application specification.

Again, the `.relup` file is created manually, either from scratch or by editing a generated version. Load all code for `ch_app` first, and also load the application specification, before `prim_sup` is updated. When downgrading, `prim_sup` is to updated first, before the code for `ch_app` and its application specification are unloaded.

    {"B",
     [{"A",
       [],
       [{load_object_code,{ch_app,"1",[ch_sup,ch3]}},
        {load_object_code,{prim_app,"2",[prim_sup]}},
        point_of_no_return,
        {load,{ch_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {load,{ch3,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {apply,{application,load,[ch_app]}},
        {suspend,[prim_sup]},
        {load,{prim_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {code_change,up,[{prim_sup,[]}]},
        {resume,[prim_sup]},
        {apply,{supervisor,restart_child,[prim_sup,ch_sup]}}]}],
     [{"A",
       [],
       [{load_object_code,{prim_app,"1",[prim_sup]}},
        point_of_no_return,
        {apply,{supervisor,terminate_child,[prim_sup,ch_sup]}},
        {apply,{supervisor,delete_child,[prim_sup,ch_sup]}},
        {suspend,[prim_sup]},
        {load,{prim_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {code_change,down,[{prim_sup,[]}]},
        {resume,[prim_sup]},
        {remove,{ch_sup,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {remove,{ch3,brutal_purge,brutal_purge}},
        {purge,[ch_sup,ch3]},
        {apply,{application,unload,[ch_app]}}]}]
    }.

## Changing Non-Erlang Code

Changing code for a program written in another programming language than Erlang, for example, a port program, is application-dependent and OTP provides no special support.

Example

When changing code for a port program, assume that the Erlang process controlling the port is a `gen_server` `portc` and that the port is opened in the callback function `init/1`:

    init(...) ->
        ...,
        PortPrg = filename:join(code:priv_dir(App), "portc"),
        Port = open_port({spawn,PortPrg}, [...]),
        ...,
        {ok, #state{port=Port, ...}}.

If the port program is to be updated, the code for the `gen_server` can be extended with a `code_change/3` function, which closes the old port and opens a new port. (If necessary, the `gen_server` can first request data that must be saved from the port program and pass this data to the new port):

    code_change(_OldVsn, State, port) ->
        State#state.port ! close,
        receive
            {Port,close} ->
                true
        end,
        PortPrg = filename:join(code:priv_dir(App), "portc"),
        Port = open_port({spawn,PortPrg}, [...]),
        {ok, #state{port=Port, ...}}.

Update the application version number in the `.app` file and write an `.appup` file:

    ["2",
     [{"1", [{update, portc, {advanced,port}}]}],
     [{"1", [{update, portc, {advanced,port}}]}]
    ].

Ensure that the `priv` directory, where the C program is located, is included in the new release package:

    1> systools:make_tar("my_release", [{dirs,[priv]}]).
    ...

## Runtime System Restart and Upgrade

Two upgrade instructions restart the runtime system:

- `restart_new_emulator`

  Intended when ERTS, Kernel, STDLIB, or SASL is upgraded. It is automatically added when the `relup` file is generated by `systools:make_relup/3,4`. It is executed before all other upgrade instructions. For more information about this instruction, see restart_new_emulator (Low-Level) in Release Handling Instructions.

- `restart_emulator`

  Used when a restart of the runtime system is required after all other upgrade instructions are executed. For more information about this instruction, see restart_emulator (Low-Level) in Release Handling Instructions.

If a runtime system restart is necessary and no upgrade instructions are needed, that is, if the restart itself is enough for the upgraded applications to start running the new versions, a simple `.relup` file can be created manually:

    {"B",
     [{"A",
       [],
       [restart_emulator]}],
     [{"A",
       [],
       [restart_emulator]}]
    }.

In this case, the release handler framework with automatic packing and unpacking of release packages, automatic path updates, and so on, can be used without having to specify `.appup` files.

← Previous Page Release Handling
Next Page → Introduction