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Revision 1.50 by root, Sat Nov 24 08:42:38 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.103 by root, Thu Oct 2 07:49:09 2008 UTC

2 2
3EV - perl interface to libev, a high performance full-featured event loop 3EV - perl interface to libev, a high performance full-featured event loop
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use EV; 7 use EV;
8
9 # TIMERS
10
11 my $w = EV::timer 2, 0, sub {
12 warn "is called after 2s";
13 };
14
15 my $w = EV::timer 2, 2, sub {
16 warn "is called roughly every 2s (repeat = 2)";
17 };
18
19 undef $w; # destroy event watcher again
20
21 my $w = EV::periodic 0, 60, 0, sub {
22 warn "is called every minute, on the minute, exactly";
23 };
24
25 # IO
26
27 my $w = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub {
28 my ($w, $revents) = @_; # all callbacks receive the watcher and event mask
29 warn "stdin is readable, you entered: ", <STDIN>;
30 };
31
32 # SIGNALS
33
34 my $w = EV::signal 'QUIT', sub {
35 warn "sigquit received\n";
36 };
37
38 # CHILD/PID STATUS CHANGES
8 39
9 # TIMERS 40 my $w = EV::child 666, 0, sub {
41 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
42 my $status = $w->rstatus;
43 };
10 44
11 my $w = EV::timer 2, 0, sub { 45 # STAT CHANGES
12 warn "is called after 2s"; 46 my $w = EV::stat "/etc/passwd", 10, sub {
13 };
14
15 my $w = EV::timer 2, 2, sub {
16 warn "is called roughly every 2s (repeat = 2)";
17 };
18
19 undef $w; # destroy event watcher again
20
21 my $w = EV::periodic 0, 60, 0, sub {
22 warn "is called every minute, on the minute, exactly";
23 };
24
25 # IO
26
27 my $w = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub {
28 my ($w, $revents) = @_; # all callbacks receive the watcher and event mask
29 warn "stdin is readable, you entered: ", <STDIN>;
30 };
31
32 # SIGNALS
33
34 my $w = EV::signal 'QUIT', sub {
35 warn "sigquit received\n";
36 };
37
38 # CHILD/PID STATUS CHANGES
39
40 my $w = EV::child 666, sub {
41 my ($w, $revents) = @_; 47 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
42 my $status = $w->rstatus; 48 warn $w->path, " has changed somehow.\n";
43 }; 49 };
44 50
45 # MAINLOOP 51 # MAINLOOP
46 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop 52 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop
47 EV::loop EV::LOOP_ONESHOT; # block until at least one event could be handled 53 EV::loop EV::LOOP_ONESHOT; # block until at least one event could be handled
48 EV::loop EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK; # try to handle same events, but do not block 54 EV::loop EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK; # try to handle same events, but do not block
49 55
50=head1 DESCRIPTION 56=head1 DESCRIPTION
51 57
52This module provides an interface to libev 58This module provides an interface to libev
53(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). 59(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). While the documentation
60below is comprehensive, one might also consult the documentation of libev
61itself (L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>) for more
62subtle details on watcher semantics or some discussion on the available
63backends, or how to force a specific backend with C<LIBEV_FLAGS>, or just
64about in any case because it has much more detailed information.
65
66This module is very fast and scalable. It is actually so fast that you
67can use it through the L<AnyEvent> module, stay portable to other event
68loops (if you don't rely on any watcher types not available through it)
69and still be faster than with any other event loop currently supported in
70Perl.
54 71
55=cut 72=cut
56 73
57package EV; 74package EV;
58 75
76no warnings;
59use strict; 77use strict;
60 78
61BEGIN { 79BEGIN {
62 our $VERSION = '1.2'; 80 our $VERSION = '3.44';
63 use XSLoader; 81 use XSLoader;
64 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION; 82 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION;
65} 83}
66 84
67@EV::IO::ISA = 85@EV::IO::ISA =
68@EV::Timer::ISA = 86@EV::Timer::ISA =
69@EV::Periodic::ISA = 87@EV::Periodic::ISA =
70@EV::Signal::ISA = 88@EV::Signal::ISA =
89@EV::Child::ISA =
90@EV::Stat::ISA =
71@EV::Idle::ISA = 91@EV::Idle::ISA =
72@EV::Prepare::ISA = 92@EV::Prepare::ISA =
73@EV::Check::ISA = 93@EV::Check::ISA =
74@EV::Child::ISA = "EV::Watcher"; 94@EV::Embed::ISA =
95@EV::Fork::ISA =
96@EV::Async::ISA =
97 "EV::Watcher";
98
99@EV::Loop::Default::ISA = "EV::Loop";
100
101=head1 EVENT LOOPS
102
103EV supports multiple event loops: There is a single "default event loop"
104that can handle everything including signals and child watchers, and any
105number of "dynamic event loops" that can use different backends (with
106various limitations), but no child and signal watchers.
107
108You do not have to do anything to create the default event loop: When
109the module is loaded a suitable backend is selected on the premise of
110selecting a working backend (which for example rules out kqueue on most
111BSDs). Modules should, unless they have "special needs" always use the
112default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other
113modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop.
114
115For specific programs you can create additional event loops dynamically.
116
117If you want to take avdantage of kqueue (which often works properly for
118sockets only) even though the default loop doesn't enable it, you can
119I<embed> a kqueue loop into the default loop: running the default loop
120will then also service the kqueue loop to some extent. See the example in
121the section about embed watchers for an example on how to achieve that.
122
123=over 4
124
125=item $loop = new EV::loop [$flags]
126
127Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to the
128C<ev_loop_new ()> function description in the libev documentation
129(L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS>)
130for more info.
131
132The loop will automatically be destroyed when it is no longer referenced
133by any watcher and the loop object goes out of scope.
134
135If you are not embedding the loop, then Using C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK>
136is recommended, as only the default event loop is protected by this
137module. If you I<are> embedding this loop in the default loop, this is not
138necessary, as C<EV::embed> automatically does the right thing on fork.
139
140=item $loop->loop_fork
141
142Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or continuing
143the event loop. An alternative is to use C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK> which calls
144this function automatically, at some performance loss (refer to the libev
145documentation).
146
147=item $loop->loop_verify
148
149Calls C<ev_verify> to make internal consistency checks (for debugging
150libev) and abort the program if any data structures were found to be
151corrupted.
152
153=item $loop = EV::default_loop [$flags]
154
155Return the default loop (which is a singleton object). Since this module
156already creates the default loop with default flags, specifying flags here
157will not have any effect unless you destroy the default loop first, which
158isn't supported. So in short: don't do it, and if you break it, you get to
159keep the pieces.
160
161=back
162
75 163
76=head1 BASIC INTERFACE 164=head1 BASIC INTERFACE
77 165
78=over 4 166=over 4
79 167
80=item $EV::DIED 168=item $EV::DIED
81 169
82Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback 170Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback
83throws an exception (with $@ containing thr error). The default prints an 171throws an exception (with $@ containing the error). The default prints an
84informative message and continues. 172informative message and continues.
85 173
86If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored. 174If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored.
87 175
176=item $flags = EV::supported_backends
177
178=item $flags = EV::recommended_backends
179
180=item $flags = EV::embeddable_backends
181
182Returns the set (see C<EV::BACKEND_*> flags) of backends supported by this
183instance of EV, the set of recommended backends (supposed to be good) for
184this platform and the set of embeddable backends (see EMBED WATCHERS).
185
186=item EV::sleep $seconds
187
188Block the process for the given number of (fractional) seconds.
189
88=item $time = EV::time 190=item $time = EV::time
89 191
90Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch. 192Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch.
91 193
92=item $time = EV::now 194=item $time = EV::now
195
196=item $time = $loop->now
93 197
94Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. This 198Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. This
95is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and refering to it is 199is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and refering to it is
96usually faster then calling EV::time. 200usually faster then calling EV::time.
97 201
98=item $method = EV::method 202=item $backend = EV::backend
203
204=item $backend = $loop->backend
99 205
100Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT 206Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT
101or EV::METHOD_EPOLL). 207or EV::METHOD_EPOLL).
102 208
103=item EV::loop [$flags] 209=item EV::loop [$flags]
210
211=item $loop->loop ([$flags])
104 212
105Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a 213Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a
106callback calls EV::unloop. 214callback calls EV::unloop.
107 215
108The $flags argument can be one of the following: 216The $flags argument can be one of the following:
111 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop) 219 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop)
112 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait) 220 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait)
113 221
114=item EV::unloop [$how] 222=item EV::unloop [$how]
115 223
224=item $loop->unloop ([$how])
225
116When called with no arguments or an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ONE, makes the 226When called with no arguments or an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ONE, makes the
117innermost call to EV::loop return. 227innermost call to EV::loop return.
118 228
119When called with an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ALL, all calls to EV::loop will return as 229When called with an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ALL, all calls to EV::loop will return as
120fast as possible. 230fast as possible.
121 231
232=item $count = EV::loop_count
233
234=item $count = $loop->loop_count
235
236Return the number of times the event loop has polled for new
237events. Sometiems useful as a generation counter.
238
122=item EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents) 239=item EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents)
240
241=item $loop->once ($fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents))
123 242
124This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single 243This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single
125one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object. 244one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object.
126 245
127If C<$fh_or_undef> is a filehandle or file descriptor, then C<$events> 246If C<$fh_or_undef> is a filehandle or file descriptor, then C<$events>
133If timeout is C<undef> or negative, then there will be no 252If timeout is C<undef> or negative, then there will be no
134timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started. 253timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started.
135 254
136When an error occurs or either the timeout or I/O watcher triggers, then 255When an error occurs or either the timeout or I/O watcher triggers, then
137the callback will be called with the received event set (in general 256the callback will be called with the received event set (in general
138you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV:ERROR>, C<EV::READ>, 257you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV::ERROR>, C<EV::READ>,
139C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMEOUT>). 258C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMEOUT>).
140 259
141EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either 260EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either
142of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback 261of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback
143invoked. 262invoked.
144 263
145=back 264=item EV::feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
146 265
147=head2 WATCHER 266=item $loop->feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
267
268Feed an event on a file descriptor into EV. EV will react to this call as
269if the readyness notifications specified by C<$revents> (a combination of
270C<EV::READ> and C<EV::WRITE>) happened on the file descriptor C<$fd>.
271
272=item EV::feed_signal_event ($signal)
273
274Feed a signal event into EV. EV will react to this call as if the signal
275specified by C<$signal> had occured.
276
277=item EV::set_io_collect_interval $time
278
279=item $loop->set_io_collect_interval ($time)
280
281=item EV::set_timeout_collect_interval $time
282
283=item $loop->set_timeout_collect_interval ($time)
284
285These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling for I/O events and the minimum
286wait interval for timer events. See the libev documentation at
287L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP> for
288a more detailed discussion.
289
290=back
291
292
293=head1 WATCHER OBJECTS
148 294
149A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some 295A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some
150event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you 296event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you
151would create an EV::io watcher for that: 297would create an EV::io watcher for that:
152 298
153 my $watcher = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub { 299 my $watcher = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub {
154 my ($watcher, $revents) = @_; 300 my ($watcher, $revents) = @_;
155 warn "yeah, STDIN should not be readable without blocking!\n" 301 warn "yeah, STDIN should now be readable without blocking!\n"
156 }; 302 };
157 303
158All watchers can be active (waiting for events) or inactive (paused). Only 304All watchers can be active (waiting for events) or inactive (paused). Only
159active watchers will have their callbacks invoked. All callbacks will be 305active watchers will have their callbacks invoked. All callbacks will be
160called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of received 306called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of received
161events. 307events.
162 308
163Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the 309Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the
164same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the 310same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the
165type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE, 311type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE,
166EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of IO events 312EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O events
167(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which 313(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which
168uses EV::TIMEOUT). 314uses EV::TIMEOUT).
169 315
170In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at 316In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at
171the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in 317the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in
177 323
178Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority, 324Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority,
179->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active, 325->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active,
180which means pending events get lost. 326which means pending events get lost.
181 327
182=head2 WATCHER TYPES 328=head2 COMMON WATCHER METHODS
183 329
184Now lets move to the existing watcher types and asociated methods. 330This section lists methods common to all watchers.
185
186The following methods are available for all watchers. Then followes a
187description of each watcher constructor (EV::io, EV::timer, EV::periodic,
188EV::signal, EV::child, EV::idle, EV::prepare and EV::check), followed by
189any type-specific methods (if any).
190 331
191=over 4 332=over 4
192 333
193=item $w->start 334=item $w->start
194 335
198 339
199=item $w->stop 340=item $w->stop
200 341
201Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that 342Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that
202have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation), 343have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation),
203regardless of wether the watcher was active or not. 344regardless of whether the watcher was active or not.
204 345
205=item $bool = $w->is_active 346=item $bool = $w->is_active
206 347
207Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise. 348Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise.
208 349
238The default priority of any newly-created watcher is 0. 379The default priority of any newly-created watcher is 0.
239 380
240Note that the priority semantics have not yet been fleshed out and are 381Note that the priority semantics have not yet been fleshed out and are
241subject to almost certain change. 382subject to almost certain change.
242 383
243=item $w->trigger ($revents) 384=item $w->invoke ($revents)
244 385
245Call the callback *now* with the given event mask. 386Call the callback *now* with the given event mask.
387
388=item $w->feed_event ($revents)
389
390Feed some events on this watcher into EV. EV will react to this call as if
391the watcher had received the given C<$revents> mask.
392
393=item $revents = $w->clear_pending
394
395If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
396returns its C<$revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
397watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
246 398
247=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool) 399=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool)
248 400
249Normally, C<EV::loop> will return when there are no active watchers 401Normally, C<EV::loop> will return when there are no active watchers
250(which is a "deadlock" because no progress can be made anymore). This is 402(which is a "deadlock" because no progress can be made anymore). This is
251convinient because it allows you to start your watchers (and your jobs), 403convinient because it allows you to start your watchers (and your jobs),
252call C<EV::loop> once and when it returns you know that all your jobs are 404call C<EV::loop> once and when it returns you know that all your jobs are
253finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :). 405finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :).
254 406
255Sometimes, however, this gets in your way, for example when you the module 407Sometimes, however, this gets in your way, for example when the module
256that calls C<EV::loop> (usually the main program) is not the same module 408that calls C<EV::loop> (usually the main program) is not the same module
257as a long-living watcher (for example a DNS client module written by 409as a long-living watcher (for example a DNS client module written by
258somebody else even). Then you might want any outstanding requests to be 410somebody else even). Then you might want any outstanding requests to be
259handled, but you would not want to keep C<EV::loop> from returning just 411handled, but you would not want to keep C<EV::loop> from returning just
260because you happen to have this long-running UDP port watcher. 412because you happen to have this long-running UDP port watcher.
263though your watcher is active, it won't keep C<EV::loop> from returning. 415though your watcher is active, it won't keep C<EV::loop> from returning.
264 416
265The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you cna change it 417The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you cna change it
266any time. 418any time.
267 419
268Example: Register an IO watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep the 420Example: Register an I/O watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep the
269event loop from running just because of that watcher. 421event loop from running just because of that watcher.
270 422
271 my $udp_socket = ... 423 my $udp_socket = ...
272 my $udp_watcher = EV::io $udp_socket, EV::READ, sub { ... }; 424 my $udp_watcher = EV::io $udp_socket, EV::READ, sub { ... };
273 $udp_watcher->keepalive (0); 425 $udp_watcher->keepalive (0);
274 426
427=item $loop = $w->loop
428
429Return the loop that this watcher is attached to.
430
431=back
432
433
434=head1 WATCHER TYPES
435
436Each of the following subsections describes a single watcher type.
437
438=head3 I/O WATCHERS - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
439
440=over 4
441
275=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 442=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
276 443
277=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 444=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
278 445
446=item $w = $loop->io ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
447
448=item $w = $loop->io_ns ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
449
279As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback> 450As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback>
280when the events specified in C<$eventmask>. 451when at least one of events specified in C<$eventmask> occurs.
281 452
282The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together: 453The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together:
283 454
284 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore 455 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore
285 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore 456 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore
301 472
302=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask) 473=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask)
303 474
304Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one. 475Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one.
305 476
477=back
478
479
480=head3 TIMER WATCHERS - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
481
482=over 4
306 483
307=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback 484=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback
308 485
309=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback 486=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback
310 487
311Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds. If C<$repeat> is non-zero, 488=item $w = $loop->timer ($after, $repeat, $callback)
312the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat value as $after) after the 489
313callback returns. 490=item $w = $loop->timer_ns ($after, $repeat, $callback)
491
492Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds (which may be fractional). If
493C<$repeat> is non-zero, the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat
494value as $after) after the callback returns.
314 495
315This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after> 496This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after>
316seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. The timer does his best not 497seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. The timer does his best not
317to drift, but it will not invoke the timer more often then once per event 498to drift, but it will not invoke the timer more often then once per event
318loop iteration, and might drift in other cases. If that isn't acceptable, 499loop iteration, and might drift in other cases. If that isn't acceptable,
324 505
325The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 506The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
326 507
327=item $w->set ($after, $repeat) 508=item $w->set ($after, $repeat)
328 509
329Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 510Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
330any time. 511any time.
331 512
332=item $w->again 513=item $w->again
333 514
334Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers: 515Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers:
345This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO 526This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO
346operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and 527operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and
347C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method 528C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method
348on the timeout. 529on the timeout.
349 530
531=back
532
533
534=head3 PERIODIC WATCHERS - to cron or not to cron?
535
536=over 4
350 537
351=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback 538=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
352 539
353=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback 540=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
541
542=item $w = $loop->periodic ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
543
544=item $w = $loop->periodic_ns ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
354 545
355Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on 546Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on
356absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the 547absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the
357specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and 548specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and
358more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time 549more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time
368This time simply fires at the wallclock time C<$at> and doesn't repeat. It 559This time simply fires at the wallclock time C<$at> and doesn't repeat. It
369will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run 560will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run
370at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the system time reaches or 561at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the system time reaches or
371surpasses this time. 562surpasses this time.
372 563
373=item * non-repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0) 564=item * repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0)
374 565
375In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the 566In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the
376next C<$at + N * $interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, 567next C<$at + N * $interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat,
377regardless of any time jumps. 568regardless of any time jumps.
378 569
396time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the reschedule callback 587time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the reschedule callback
397($reschedule_cb) will be called with the watcher as first, and the current 588($reschedule_cb) will be called with the watcher as first, and the current
398time as second argument. 589time as second argument.
399 590
400I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy this or any other periodic 591I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy this or any other periodic
401watcher, ever>. If you need to stop it, return 1e30 and stop it 592watcher, ever, and MUST NOT call any event loop functions or methods>. If
402afterwards. 593you need to stop it, return 1e30 and stop it afterwards. You may create
594and start a C<EV::prepare> watcher for this task.
403 595
404It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 596It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
405(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 597(that is, the lowest time value larger than or equal to to the second
406will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 598argument). It will usually be called just before the callback will be
407might be called at other times, too. 599triggered, but might be called at other times, too.
408 600
409This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 601This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
410triggers on each midnight, local time (actually 24 hours after the last 602triggers on each midnight, local time (actually 24 hours after the last
411midnight, to keep the example simple. If you know a way to do it correctly 603midnight, to keep the example simple. If you know a way to do it correctly
412in about the same space (without requiring elaborate modules), drop me a 604in about the same space (without requiring elaborate modules), drop me a
426 618
427The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 619The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
428 620
429=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb) 621=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb)
430 622
431Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 623Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
432any time. 624any time.
433 625
434=item $w->again 626=item $w->again
435 627
436Simply stops and starts the watcher again. 628Simply stops and starts the watcher again.
437 629
630=item $time = $w->at
631
632Return the time that the watcher is expected to trigger next.
633
634=back
635
636
637=head3 SIGNAL WATCHERS - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
638
639=over 4
438 640
439=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback 641=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback
440 642
441=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback 643=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback
442 644
443Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified 645Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified by
444by number or by name, just as with kill or %SIG). 646number or by name, just as with C<kill> or C<%SIG>).
445 647
446EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one 648EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one
447component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher, 649component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher,
448and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you 650and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you
449add/remove callbacks to %SIG, so watch out. 651add/remove callbacks to C<%SIG>, so watch out.
450 652
451You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want. 653You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want.
452 654
453The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 655The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
454 656
455=item $w->set ($signal) 657=item $w->set ($signal)
456 658
457Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 659Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
458any time. 660called at any time.
459 661
460=item $current_signum = $w->signal 662=item $current_signum = $w->signal
461 663
462=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal) 664=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal)
463 665
464Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and 666Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and
465optionally set a new one. 667optionally set a new one.
466 668
669=back
467 670
671
672=head3 CHILD WATCHERS - watch out for process status changes
673
674=over 4
675
468=item $w = EV::child $pid, $callback 676=item $w = EV::child $pid, $trace, $callback
469 677
470=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $callback 678=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $trace, $callback
679
680=item $w = $loop->child ($pid, $trace, $callback)
681
682=item $w = $loop->child_ns ($pid, $trace, $callback)
471 683
472Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid 684Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid
473if C<$pid> is 0) has been received. More precisely: when the process 685if C<$pid> is 0) has been received (a status change happens when the
686process terminates or is killed, or, when trace is true, additionally when
687it is stopped or continued). More precisely: when the process receives
474receives a SIGCHLD, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all 688a C<SIGCHLD>, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all
475changed/zombie children and call the callback. 689changed/zombie children and call the callback.
476 690
477You can access both status and pid by using the C<rstatus> and C<rpid> 691It is valid (and fully supported) to install a child watcher after a child
478methods on the watcher object. 692has exited but before the event loop has started its next iteration (for
693example, first you C<fork>, then the new child process might exit, and
694only then do you install a child watcher in the parent for the new pid).
479 695
696You can access both exit (or tracing) status and pid by using the
697C<rstatus> and C<rpid> methods on the watcher object.
698
480You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want. 699You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want, they will all be
700called.
481 701
482The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 702The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
483 703
484=item $w->set ($pid) 704=item $w->set ($pid, $trace)
485 705
486Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 706Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
487any time. 707any time.
488 708
489=item $current_pid = $w->pid 709=item $current_pid = $w->pid
490
491=item $old_pid = $w->pid ($new_pid)
492 710
493Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one. 711Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one.
494 712
495=item $exit_status = $w->rstatus 713=item $exit_status = $w->rstatus
496 714
500=item $pid = $w->rpid 718=item $pid = $w->rpid
501 719
502Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a 720Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a
503watcher for all pids). 721watcher for all pids).
504 722
723=back
724
725
726=head3 STAT WATCHERS - did the file attributes just change?
727
728=over 4
729
730=item $w = EV::stat $path, $interval, $callback
731
732=item $w = EV::stat_ns $path, $interval, $callback
733
734=item $w = $loop->stat ($path, $interval, $callback)
735
736=item $w = $loop->stat_ns ($path, $interval, $callback)
737
738Call the callback when a file status change has been detected on
739C<$path>. The C<$path> does not need to exist, changing from "path exists"
740to "path does not exist" is a status change like any other.
741
742The C<$interval> is a recommended polling interval for systems where
743OS-supported change notifications don't exist or are not supported. If
744you use C<0> then an unspecified default is used (which is highly
745recommended!), which is to be expected to be around five seconds usually.
746
747This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
748as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
749resource-intensive.
750
751The C<stat_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
752
753=item ... = $w->stat
754
755This call is very similar to the perl C<stat> built-in: It stats (using
756C<lstat>) the path specified in the watcher and sets perls stat cache (as
757well as EV's idea of the current stat values) to the values found.
758
759In scalar context, a boolean is return indicating success or failure of
760the stat. In list context, the same 13-value list as with stat is returned
761(except that the blksize and blocks fields are not reliable).
762
763In the case of an error, errno is set to C<ENOENT> (regardless of the
764actual error value) and the C<nlink> value is forced to zero (if the stat
765was successful then nlink is guaranteed to be non-zero).
766
767See also the next two entries for more info.
768
769=item ... = $w->attr
770
771Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
772the values most recently detected by EV. See the next entry for more info.
773
774=item ... = $w->prev
775
776Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
777the previous set of values, before the change.
778
779That is, when the watcher callback is invoked, C<< $w->prev >> will be set
780to the values found I<before> a change was detected, while C<< $w->attr >>
781returns the values found leading to the change detection. The difference (if any)
782between C<prev> and C<attr> is what triggered the callback.
783
784If you did something to the filesystem object and do not want to trigger
785yet another change, you can call C<stat> to update EV's idea of what the
786current attributes are.
787
788=item $w->set ($path, $interval)
789
790Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
791called at any time.
792
793=item $current_path = $w->path
794
795=item $old_path = $w->path ($new_path)
796
797Returns the previously set path and optionally set a new one.
798
799=item $current_interval = $w->interval
800
801=item $old_interval = $w->interval ($new_interval)
802
803Returns the previously set interval and optionally set a new one. Can be
804used to query the actual interval used.
805
806=back
807
808
809=head3 IDLE WATCHERS - when you've got nothing better to do...
810
811=over 4
505 812
506=item $w = EV::idle $callback 813=item $w = EV::idle $callback
507 814
508=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback 815=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback
509 816
510Call the callback when there are no pending io, timer/periodic, signal or 817=item $w = $loop->idle ($callback)
511child events, i.e. when the process is idle. 818
819=item $w = $loop->idle_ns ($callback)
820
821Call the callback when there are no other pending watchers of the same or
822higher priority (excluding check, prepare and other idle watchers of the
823same or lower priority, of course). They are called idle watchers because
824when the watcher is the highest priority pending event in the process, the
825process is considered to be idle at that priority.
826
827If you want a watcher that is only ever called when I<no> other events are
828outstanding you have to set the priority to C<EV::MINPRI>.
512 829
513The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and 830The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and
514they will be called repeatedly until stopped. 831they will be called repeatedly until stopped.
515 832
833For example, if you have idle watchers at priority C<0> and C<1>, and
834an I/O watcher at priority C<0>, then the idle watcher at priority C<1>
835and the I/O watcher will always run when ready. Only when the idle watcher
836at priority C<1> is stopped and the I/O watcher at priority C<0> is not
837pending with the C<0>-priority idle watcher be invoked.
838
516The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 839The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
517 840
841=back
842
843
844=head3 PREPARE WATCHERS - customise your event loop!
845
846=over 4
518 847
519=item $w = EV::prepare $callback 848=item $w = EV::prepare $callback
520 849
521=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback 850=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback
851
852=item $w = $loop->prepare ($callback)
853
854=item $w = $loop->prepare_ns ($callback)
522 855
523Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still 856Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still
524create/modify any watchers at this point. 857create/modify any watchers at this point.
525 858
526See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example. 859See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example.
527 860
528The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 861The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
529 862
863=back
864
865
866=head3 CHECK WATCHERS - customise your event loop even more!
867
868=over 4
530 869
531=item $w = EV::check $callback 870=item $w = EV::check $callback
532 871
533=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback 872=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback
873
874=item $w = $loop->check ($callback)
875
876=item $w = $loop->check_ns ($callback)
534 877
535Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has 878Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has
536gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked. 879gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked.
537 880
538This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV 881This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV
548 or return; 891 or return;
549 892
550 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff 893 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff
551 ... not shown 894 ... not shown
552 895
553 # create an IO watcher for each and every socket 896 # create an I/O watcher for each and every socket
554 @snmp_watcher = ( 897 @snmp_watcher = (
555 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } } 898 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } }
556 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }), 899 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }),
557 900
558 EV::timer +($event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE] 901 EV::timer +($event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE]
579first). 922first).
580 923
581The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 924The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
582 925
583=back 926=back
927
928
929=head3 FORK WATCHERS - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
930
931Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected. The invocation
932is done before the event loop blocks next and before C<check> watchers
933are being called, and only in the child after the fork.
934
935=over 4
936
937=item $w = EV::fork $callback
938
939=item $w = EV::fork_ns $callback
940
941=item $w = $loop->fork ($callback)
942
943=item $w = $loop->fork_ns ($callback)
944
945Call the callback before the event loop is resumed in the child process
946after a fork.
947
948The C<fork_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
949
950=back
951
952
953=head3 EMBED WATCHERS - when one backend isn't enough...
954
955This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
956into another (currently only IO events are supported in the embedded
957loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
958fashion and must not be used).
959
960See the libev documentation at
961L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_>
962for more details.
963
964In short, this watcher is most useful on BSD systems without working
965kqueue to still be able to handle a large number of sockets:
966
967 my $socket_loop;
968
969 # check wether we use SELECT or POLL _and_ KQUEUE is supported
970 if (
971 (EV::backend & (EV::BACKEND_POLL | EV::BACKEND_SELECT))
972 && (EV::supported_backends & EV::embeddable_backends & EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE)
973 ) {
974 # use kqueue for sockets
975 $socket_loop = new EV::Loop EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE | EV::FLAG_NOENV;
976 }
977
978 # use the default loop otherwise
979 $socket_loop ||= EV::default_loop;
980
981=over 4
982
983=item $w = EV::embed $otherloop[, $callback]
984
985=item $w = EV::embed_ns $otherloop[, $callback]
986
987=item $w = $loop->embed ($otherloop[, $callback])
988
989=item $w = $loop->embed_ns ($otherloop[, $callback])
990
991Call the callback when the embedded event loop (C<$otherloop>) has any
992I/O activity. The C<$callback> is optional: if it is missing, then the
993embedded event loop will be managed automatically (which is recommended),
994otherwise you have to invoke C<sweep> yourself.
995
996The C<embed_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
997
998=back
999
1000=head3 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop
1001
1002Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly, as perl
1003neither supports threads nor direct access to signal handlers or other
1004contexts where they could be of value.
1005
1006It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level.
1007
1008Please see the libev documentation for further details.
1009
1010=over 4
1011
1012=item $w = EV::async $callback
1013
1014=item $w = EV::async_ns $callback
1015
1016=item $w->send
1017
1018=item $bool = $w->async_pending
1019
1020=back
1021
1022
1023=head1 PERL SIGNALS
1024
1025While Perl signal handling (C<%SIG>) is not affected by EV, the behaviour
1026with EV is as the same as any other C library: Perl-signals will only be
1027handled when Perl runs, which means your signal handler might be invoked
1028only the next time an event callback is invoked.
1029
1030The solution is to use EV signal watchers (see C<EV::signal>), which will
1031ensure proper operations with regards to other event watchers.
1032
1033If you cannot do this for whatever reason, you can also force a watcher
1034to be called on every event loop iteration by installing a C<EV::check>
1035watcher:
1036
1037 my $async_check = EV::check sub { };
1038
1039This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any
1040pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation.
584 1041
585=head1 THREADS 1042=head1 THREADS
586 1043
587Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads 1044Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads
588is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work 1045is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work
610our $DIED = sub { 1067our $DIED = sub {
611 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@"; 1068 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@";
612}; 1069};
613 1070
614default_loop 1071default_loop
615 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_METHODS}?'; 1072 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_FLAGS}?';
616 1073
6171; 10741;
618 1075
619=head1 SEE ALSO 1076=head1 SEE ALSO
620 1077
621 L<EV::DNS>. 1078L<EV::ADNS> (asynchronous DNS), L<Glib::EV> (makes Glib/Gtk2 use EV as
1079event loop), L<EV::Glib> (embed Glib into EV), L<Coro::EV> (efficient
1080coroutines with EV), L<Net::SNMP::EV> (asynchronous SNMP), L<AnyEvent> for
1081event-loop agnostic and portable event driven programming.
622 1082
623=head1 AUTHOR 1083=head1 AUTHOR
624 1084
625 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1085 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
626 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1086 http://home.schmorp.de/
627 1087
628=cut 1088=cut
629 1089

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