diff --git a/docs/faq.rst b/docs/faq.rst index 9346ec358..f492dfa30 100644 --- a/docs/faq.rst +++ b/docs/faq.rst @@ -145,6 +145,41 @@ How can I make Scrapy consume less memory? See previous question. +How can I prevent memory errors due to many allowed domains? +------------------------------------------------------------ + +If you have a spider with a long list of +:attr:`~scrapy.spiders.Spider.allowed_domains` (e.g. 50,000+), consider +replacing the default +:class:`~scrapy.spidermiddlewares.offsite.OffsiteMiddleware` spider middleware +with a :ref:`custom spider middleware ` that requires +less memory. For example: + +- If your domain names are similar enough, use your own regular expression + instead joining the strings in + :attr:`~scrapy.spiders.Spider.allowed_domains` into a complex regular + expression. + +- If you can `meet the installation requirements`_, use pyre2_ instead of + Python’s re_ to compile your URL-filtering regular expression. See + :issue:`1908`. + +See also other suggestions at `StackOverflow`_. + +.. note:: Remember to disable + :class:`scrapy.spidermiddlewares.offsite.OffsiteMiddleware` when you enable + your custom implementation:: + + SPIDER_MIDDLEWARES = { + 'scrapy.spidermiddlewares.offsite.OffsiteMiddleware': None, + 'myproject.middlewares.CustomOffsiteMiddleware': 500, + } + +.. _meet the installation requirements: https://github.com/andreasvc/pyre2#installation +.. _pyre2: https://github.com/andreasvc/pyre2 +.. _re: https://docs.python.org/library/re.html +.. _StackOverflow: https://stackoverflow.com/q/36440681/939364 + Can I use Basic HTTP Authentication in my spiders? --------------------------------------------------