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Comparing EV/EV.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.115 by root, Tue Apr 28 00:50:56 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.129 by root, Thu Oct 21 15:13:42 2010 UTC

51 # MAINLOOP 51 # MAINLOOP
52 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
53 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
54 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
55 55
56=head1 BEFORE YOU START USING THIS MODULE
57
58If you only need timer, I/O, signal, child and idle watchers and not the
59advanced functionality of this module, consider using L<AnyEvent> instead,
60specifically the simplified API described in L<AE>.
61
62When used with EV as backend, the L<AE> API is as fast as the native L<EV>
63API, but your programs/modules will still run with many other event loops.
64
56=head1 DESCRIPTION 65=head1 DESCRIPTION
57 66
58This module provides an interface to libev 67This module provides an interface to libev
59(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). While the documentation 68(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). While the documentation
60below is comprehensive, one might also consult the documentation of 69below is comprehensive, one might also consult the documentation of
68can use it through the L<AnyEvent> module, stay portable to other event 77can use it through the L<AnyEvent> module, stay portable to other event
69loops (if you don't rely on any watcher types not available through it) 78loops (if you don't rely on any watcher types not available through it)
70and still be faster than with any other event loop currently supported in 79and still be faster than with any other event loop currently supported in
71Perl. 80Perl.
72 81
82=head2 PORTING FROM EV 3.X to 4.X
83
84EV version 4 introduces a number of incompatible changes summarised
85here. According to the depreciation strategy used by libev, there is a
86compatibility layer in place so programs should continue to run unchanged
87(the XS interface lacks this layer, so programs using that one need to be
88updated).
89
90This compatibility layer will be switched off in some future release.
91
92All changes relevant to Perl are renames of symbols, functions and
93methods:
94
95 EV::loop => EV::run
96 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK => EV::RUN_NOWAIT
97 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT => EV::RUN_ONCE
98
99 EV::unloop => EV::break
100 EV::UNLOOP_CANCEL => EV::BREAK_CANCEL
101 EV::UNLOOP_ONE => EV::BREAK_ONE
102 EV::UNLOOP_ALL => EV::BREAK_ALL
103
104 EV::TIMEOUT => EV::TIMER
105
106 EV::loop_count => EV::iteration
107 EV::loop_depth => EV::depth
108 EV::loop_verify => EV::verify
109
110The loop object methods corresponding to the functions above have been
111similarly renamed.
112
73=head2 MODULE EXPORTS 113=head2 MODULE EXPORTS
74 114
75This module does not export any symbols. 115This module does not export any symbols.
76 116
77=cut 117=cut
78 118
79package EV; 119package EV;
80 120
81no warnings; 121use common::sense;
82use strict;
83 122
84BEGIN { 123BEGIN {
85 our $VERSION = '3.6'; 124 our $VERSION = '4.00';
86 use XSLoader; 125 use XSLoader;
87 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION; 126 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION;
88} 127}
89 128
90@EV::IO::ISA = 129@EV::IO::ISA =
300timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started. 339timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started.
301 340
302When an error occurs or either the timeout or I/O watcher triggers, then 341When an error occurs or either the timeout or I/O watcher triggers, then
303the callback will be called with the received event set (in general 342the callback will be called with the received event set (in general
304you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV::ERROR>, C<EV::READ>, 343you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV::ERROR>, C<EV::READ>,
305C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMEOUT>). 344C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMER>).
306 345
307EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either 346EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either
308of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback 347of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback
309invoked. 348invoked.
310 349
332These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling for I/O events and the minimum 371These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling for I/O events and the minimum
333wait interval for timer events. See the libev documentation at 372wait interval for timer events. See the libev documentation at
334L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP> 373L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP>
335(locally installed as F<EV::libev>) for a more detailed discussion. 374(locally installed as F<EV::libev>) for a more detailed discussion.
336 375
376=item $count = EV::pending_count
377
378=item $count = $loop->pending_count
379
380Returns the number of currently pending watchers.
381
382=item EV::invoke_pending
383
384=item $loop->invoke_pending
385
386Invoke all currently pending watchers.
387
337=back 388=back
338 389
339 390
340=head1 WATCHER OBJECTS 391=head1 WATCHER OBJECTS
341 392
355 406
356Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the 407Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the
357same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the 408same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the
358type, i.e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE, 409type, i.e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE,
359EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O events 410EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O events
360(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which 411(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits).
361uses EV::TIMEOUT).
362 412
363In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at 413In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at
364the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in 414the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in
365its name, e.g. EV::io has a non-starting variant EV::io_ns and so on. 415its name, e.g. EV::io has a non-starting variant EV::io_ns and so on.
366 416
445 495
446=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool) 496=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool)
447 497
448Normally, C<EV::loop> will return when there are no active watchers 498Normally, C<EV::loop> will return when there are no active watchers
449(which is a "deadlock" because no progress can be made anymore). This is 499(which is a "deadlock" because no progress can be made anymore). This is
450convinient because it allows you to start your watchers (and your jobs), 500convenient because it allows you to start your watchers (and your jobs),
451call C<EV::loop> once and when it returns you know that all your jobs are 501call C<EV::loop> once and when it returns you know that all your jobs are
452finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :). 502finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :).
453 503
454Sometimes, however, this gets in your way, for example when the module 504Sometimes, however, this gets in your way, for example when the module
455that calls C<EV::loop> (usually the main program) is not the same module 505that calls C<EV::loop> (usually the main program) is not the same module
687 737
688=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback 738=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback
689 739
690=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback 740=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback
691 741
742=item $w = $loop->signal ($signal, $callback)
743
744=item $w = $loop->signal_ns ($signal, $callback)
745
692Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified by 746Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified by
693number or by name, just as with C<kill> or C<%SIG>). 747number or by name, just as with C<kill> or C<%SIG>).
748
749Only one event loop can grab a given signal - attempting to grab the same
750signal from two EV loops will crash the program immediately or cause data
751corruption.
694 752
695EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one 753EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one
696component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher, 754component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher,
697and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you 755and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you
698add/remove callbacks to C<%SIG>, so watch out. 756add/remove callbacks to C<%SIG>, so watch out.
923=item $w = $loop->check_ns ($callback) 981=item $w = $loop->check_ns ($callback)
924 982
925Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has 983Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has
926gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked. 984gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked.
927 985
928This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV 986This can be used to integrate other event-based software into the EV
929mainloop: You register a prepare callback and in there, you create io and 987mainloop: You register a prepare callback and in there, you create io and
930timer watchers as required by the other software. Here is a real-world 988timer watchers as required by the other software. Here is a real-world
931example of integrating Net::SNMP (with some details left out): 989example of integrating Net::SNMP (with some details left out):
932 990
933 our @snmp_watcher; 991 our @snmp_watcher;
967The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the watchers 1025The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the watchers
968are destroyed before this can happen (remember EV::check gets called 1026are destroyed before this can happen (remember EV::check gets called
969first). 1027first).
970 1028
971The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 1029The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
1030
1031=item EV::CHECK constant issues
1032
1033Like all other watcher types, there is a bitmask constant for use in
1034C<$revents> and other places. The C<EV::CHECK> is special as it has
1035the same name as the C<CHECK> sub called by Perl. This doesn't cause
1036big issues on newer perls (beginning with 5.8.9), but it means thatthe
1037constant must be I<inlined>, i.e. runtime calls will not work. That means
1038that as long as you always C<use EV> and then C<EV::CHECK> you are on the
1039safe side.
972 1040
973=back 1041=back
974 1042
975 1043
976=head3 FORK WATCHERS - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 1044=head3 FORK WATCHERS - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1044 1112
1045=back 1113=back
1046 1114
1047=head3 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop 1115=head3 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop
1048 1116
1049Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly, as perl 1117Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly,
1050neither supports threads nor direct access to signal handlers or other 1118as perl neither supports threads running in parallel nor direct access to
1051contexts where they could be of value. 1119signal handlers or other contexts where they could be of value.
1052 1120
1053It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level. 1121It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level.
1054 1122
1055Please see the libev documentation for further details. 1123Please see the libev documentation for further details.
1056 1124
1084 my $async_check = EV::check sub { }; 1152 my $async_check = EV::check sub { };
1085 1153
1086This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any 1154This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any
1087pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation. 1155pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation.
1088 1156
1089=head1 THREADS 1157=head1 ITHREADS
1090 1158
1091Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads 1159Ithreads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads
1092is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work 1160is evil stuff and must die. Real threads as provided by Coro are fully
1093on thread support for it. 1161supported (and enhanced support is available via L<Coro::EV>).
1094 1162
1095=head1 FORK 1163=head1 FORK
1096 1164
1097Most of the "improved" event delivering mechanisms of modern operating 1165Most of the "improved" event delivering mechanisms of modern operating
1098systems have quite a few problems with fork(2) (to put it bluntly: it is 1166systems have quite a few problems with fork(2) (to put it bluntly: it is

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