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Revision 1.23 by root, Fri Nov 2 20:21:33 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.104 by root, Thu Oct 2 12:26:25 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 $w = EV::stat "/etc/passwd", 10, sub {
47 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
48 warn $w->path, " has changed somehow.\n";
13 }; 49 };
14 50
15 my $w = EV::timer 2, 1, sub {
16 warn "is called roughly every 2s (repeat = 1)";
17 };
18
19 undef $w; # destroy event watcher again
20
21 my $w = EV::periodic 0, 60, 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 get the watcher object 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 my $w = EV::signal 3, sub {
39 warn "sigquit received (this is GNU/Linux, right?)\n";
40 };
41
42 # CHILD/PID STATUS CHANGES
43
44 my $w = EV::child 666, sub {
45 my ($w, $revents, $status) = @_;
46 };
47
48 # MAINLOOP 51 # MAINLOOP
49 EV::loop; # loop until EV::loop_done is called 52 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop
50 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
51 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
52 55
53=head1 DESCRIPTION 56=head1 DESCRIPTION
54 57
55This module provides an interface to libev 58This module provides an interface to libev
56(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
61libev itself (L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod> or
62F<perldoc EV::c_doc>) for more subtle details on watcher semantics or some
63discussion on the available backends, or how to force a specific backend
64with C<LIBEV_FLAGS>, or just about in any case because it has much more
65detailed information.
66
67This module is very fast and scalable. It is actually so fast that you
68can 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)
70and still be faster than with any other event loop currently supported in
71Perl.
57 72
58=cut 73=cut
59 74
60package EV; 75package EV;
61 76
77no warnings;
62use strict; 78use strict;
63 79
64BEGIN { 80BEGIN {
65 our $VERSION = '0.1'; 81 our $VERSION = '3.44';
66 use XSLoader; 82 use XSLoader;
67 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION; 83 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION;
68} 84}
69 85
70@EV::Io::ISA = 86@EV::IO::ISA =
71@EV::Timer::ISA = 87@EV::Timer::ISA =
72@EV::Periodic::ISA = 88@EV::Periodic::ISA =
73@EV::Signal::ISA = 89@EV::Signal::ISA =
90@EV::Child::ISA =
91@EV::Stat::ISA =
74@EV::Idle::ISA = 92@EV::Idle::ISA =
75@EV::Prepare::ISA = 93@EV::Prepare::ISA =
76@EV::Check::ISA = 94@EV::Check::ISA =
77@EV::Child::ISA = "EV::Watcher"; 95@EV::Embed::ISA =
96@EV::Fork::ISA =
97@EV::Async::ISA =
98 "EV::Watcher";
99
100@EV::Loop::Default::ISA = "EV::Loop";
101
102=head1 EVENT LOOPS
103
104EV supports multiple event loops: There is a single "default event loop"
105that can handle everything including signals and child watchers, and any
106number of "dynamic event loops" that can use different backends (with
107various limitations), but no child and signal watchers.
108
109You do not have to do anything to create the default event loop: When
110the module is loaded a suitable backend is selected on the premise of
111selecting a working backend (which for example rules out kqueue on most
112BSDs). Modules should, unless they have "special needs" always use the
113default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other
114modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop.
115
116For specific programs you can create additional event loops dynamically.
117
118If you want to take avdantage of kqueue (which often works properly for
119sockets only) even though the default loop doesn't enable it, you can
120I<embed> a kqueue loop into the default loop: running the default loop
121will then also service the kqueue loop to some extent. See the example in
122the section about embed watchers for an example on how to achieve that.
123
124=over 4
125
126=item $loop = new EV::loop [$flags]
127
128Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to
129the C<ev_loop_new ()> function description in the libev documentation
130(L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS>,
131or locally-installed as F<EV::c_doc> manpage) for more info.
132
133The loop will automatically be destroyed when it is no longer referenced
134by any watcher and the loop object goes out of scope.
135
136If you are not embedding the loop, then Using C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK>
137is recommended, as only the default event loop is protected by this
138module. If you I<are> embedding this loop in the default loop, this is not
139necessary, as C<EV::embed> automatically does the right thing on fork.
140
141=item $loop->loop_fork
142
143Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or continuing
144the event loop. An alternative is to use C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK> which calls
145this function automatically, at some performance loss (refer to the libev
146documentation).
147
148=item $loop->loop_verify
149
150Calls C<ev_verify> to make internal consistency checks (for debugging
151libev) and abort the program if any data structures were found to be
152corrupted.
153
154=item $loop = EV::default_loop [$flags]
155
156Return the default loop (which is a singleton object). Since this module
157already creates the default loop with default flags, specifying flags here
158will not have any effect unless you destroy the default loop first, which
159isn't supported. So in short: don't do it, and if you break it, you get to
160keep the pieces.
161
162=back
163
78 164
79=head1 BASIC INTERFACE 165=head1 BASIC INTERFACE
80 166
81=over 4 167=over 4
82 168
83=item $EV::DIED 169=item $EV::DIED
84 170
85Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback 171Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback
86throws an exception (with $@ containing thr error). The default prints an 172throws an exception (with $@ containing the error). The default prints an
87informative message and continues. 173informative message and continues.
88 174
89If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored. 175If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored.
90 176
177=item $flags = EV::supported_backends
178
179=item $flags = EV::recommended_backends
180
181=item $flags = EV::embeddable_backends
182
183Returns the set (see C<EV::BACKEND_*> flags) of backends supported by this
184instance of EV, the set of recommended backends (supposed to be good) for
185this platform and the set of embeddable backends (see EMBED WATCHERS).
186
187=item EV::sleep $seconds
188
189Block the process for the given number of (fractional) seconds.
190
91=item $time = EV::time 191=item $time = EV::time
92 192
93Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch. 193Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch.
94 194
95=item $time = EV::now 195=item $time = EV::now
196
197=item $time = $loop->now
96 198
97Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. This 199Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. This
98is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and refering to it is 200is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and refering to it is
99usually faster then calling EV::time. 201usually faster then calling EV::time.
100 202
101=item $method = EV::ev_method 203=item $backend = EV::backend
204
205=item $backend = $loop->backend
102 206
103Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT 207Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT
104or EV::METHOD_EPOLL). 208or EV::METHOD_EPOLL).
105 209
106=item EV::loop [$flags] 210=item EV::loop [$flags]
107 211
212=item $loop->loop ([$flags])
213
108Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a 214Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a
109callback calls EV::loop_done. 215callback calls EV::unloop.
110 216
111The $flags argument can be one of the following: 217The $flags argument can be one of the following:
112 218
113 0 as above 219 0 as above
114 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop) 220 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop)
115 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait) 221 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait)
116 222
117=item EV::loop_done [$how] 223=item EV::unloop [$how]
118 224
225=item $loop->unloop ([$how])
226
119When called with no arguments or an argument of 1, makes the innermost 227When called with no arguments or an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ONE, makes the
120call to EV::loop return. 228innermost call to EV::loop return.
121 229
122When called with an agrument of 2, all calls to EV::loop will return as 230When called with an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ALL, all calls to EV::loop will return as
123fast as possible. 231fast as possible.
124 232
125=back 233=item $count = EV::loop_count
126 234
127=head2 WATCHER 235=item $count = $loop->loop_count
236
237Return the number of times the event loop has polled for new
238events. Sometiems useful as a generation counter.
239
240=item EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents)
241
242=item $loop->once ($fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents))
243
244This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single
245one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object.
246
247If C<$fh_or_undef> is a filehandle or file descriptor, then C<$events>
248must be a bitset containing either C<EV::READ>, C<EV::WRITE> or C<EV::READ
249| EV::WRITE>, indicating the type of I/O event you want to wait for. If
250you do not want to wait for some I/O event, specify C<undef> for
251C<$fh_or_undef> and C<0> for C<$events>).
252
253If timeout is C<undef> or negative, then there will be no
254timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started.
255
256When an error occurs or either the timeout or I/O watcher triggers, then
257the callback will be called with the received event set (in general
258you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV::ERROR>, C<EV::READ>,
259C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMEOUT>).
260
261EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either
262of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback
263invoked.
264
265=item EV::feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
266
267=item $loop->feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
268
269Feed an event on a file descriptor into EV. EV will react to this call as
270if the readyness notifications specified by C<$revents> (a combination of
271C<EV::READ> and C<EV::WRITE>) happened on the file descriptor C<$fd>.
272
273=item EV::feed_signal_event ($signal)
274
275Feed a signal event into EV. EV will react to this call as if the signal
276specified by C<$signal> had occured.
277
278=item EV::set_io_collect_interval $time
279
280=item $loop->set_io_collect_interval ($time)
281
282=item EV::set_timeout_collect_interval $time
283
284=item $loop->set_timeout_collect_interval ($time)
285
286These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling for I/O events and the minimum
287wait interval for timer events. See the libev documentation at
288L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP>
289(locally installed as F<EV::c_doc>) for a more detailed discussion.
290
291=back
292
293
294=head1 WATCHER OBJECTS
128 295
129A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some 296A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some
130event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you 297event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you
131would create an EV::io watcher for that: 298would create an EV::io watcher for that:
132 299
133 my $watcher = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub { 300 my $watcher = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub {
134 my ($watcher, $revents) = @_; 301 my ($watcher, $revents) = @_;
135 warn "yeah, STDIN should not be readable without blocking!\n" 302 warn "yeah, STDIN should now be readable without blocking!\n"
136 }; 303 };
137 304
138All watchers can be active (waiting for events) or inactive (paused). Only 305All watchers can be active (waiting for events) or inactive (paused). Only
139active watchers will have their callbacks invoked. All callbacks will be 306active watchers will have their callbacks invoked. All callbacks will be
140called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of received 307called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of received
141events. 308events.
142 309
143Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the 310Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the
144same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the 311same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the
145type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE, 312type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE,
146EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of IO events 313EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O events
147(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which 314(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which
148uses EV::TIMEOUT). 315uses EV::TIMEOUT).
149 316
150In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at 317In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at
151the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in 318the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in
157 324
158Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority, 325Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority,
159->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active, 326->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active,
160which means pending events get lost. 327which means pending events get lost.
161 328
162=head2 WATCHER TYPES 329=head2 COMMON WATCHER METHODS
163 330
164Now lets move to the existing watcher types and asociated methods. 331This section lists methods common to all watchers.
165
166The following methods are available for all watchers. Then followes a
167description of each watcher constructor (EV::io, EV::timer, EV::periodic,
168EV::signal, EV::child, EV::idle, EV::prepare and EV::check), followed by
169any type-specific methods (if any).
170 332
171=over 4 333=over 4
172 334
173=item $w->start 335=item $w->start
174 336
178 340
179=item $w->stop 341=item $w->stop
180 342
181Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that 343Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that
182have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation), 344have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation),
183regardless of wether the watcher was active or not. 345regardless of whether the watcher was active or not.
184 346
185=item $bool = $w->is_active 347=item $bool = $w->is_active
186 348
187Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise. 349Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise.
350
351=item $current_data = $w->data
352
353=item $old_data = $w->data ($new_data)
354
355Queries a freely usable data scalar on the watcher and optionally changes
356it. This is a way to associate custom data with a watcher:
357
358 my $w = EV::timer 60, 0, sub {
359 warn $_[0]->data;
360 };
361 $w->data ("print me!");
188 362
189=item $current_cb = $w->cb 363=item $current_cb = $w->cb
190 364
191=item $old_cb = $w->cb ($new_cb) 365=item $old_cb = $w->cb ($new_cb)
192 366
197 371
198=item $old_priority = $w->priority ($new_priority) 372=item $old_priority = $w->priority ($new_priority)
199 373
200Queries the priority on the watcher and optionally changes it. Pending 374Queries the priority on the watcher and optionally changes it. Pending
201watchers with higher priority will be invoked first. The valid range of 375watchers with higher priority will be invoked first. The valid range of
202priorities lies between EV::MAXPRI (default 3) and EV::MINPRI (default 376priorities lies between EV::MAXPRI (default 2) and EV::MINPRI (default
203-3). If the priority is outside this range it will automatically be 377-2). If the priority is outside this range it will automatically be
204normalised to the nearest valid priority. 378normalised to the nearest valid priority.
205 379
206The default priority of any newly-created weatcher is 0. 380The default priority of any newly-created watcher is 0.
207 381
382Note that the priority semantics have not yet been fleshed out and are
383subject to almost certain change.
384
208=item $w->trigger ($revents) 385=item $w->invoke ($revents)
209 386
210Call the callback *now* with the given event mask. 387Call the callback *now* with the given event mask.
211 388
389=item $w->feed_event ($revents)
390
391Feed some events on this watcher into EV. EV will react to this call as if
392the watcher had received the given C<$revents> mask.
393
394=item $revents = $w->clear_pending
395
396If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
397returns its C<$revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
398watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
399
400=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool)
401
402Normally, C<EV::loop> will return when there are no active watchers
403(which is a "deadlock" because no progress can be made anymore). This is
404convinient because it allows you to start your watchers (and your jobs),
405call C<EV::loop> once and when it returns you know that all your jobs are
406finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :).
407
408Sometimes, however, this gets in your way, for example when the module
409that calls C<EV::loop> (usually the main program) is not the same module
410as a long-living watcher (for example a DNS client module written by
411somebody else even). Then you might want any outstanding requests to be
412handled, but you would not want to keep C<EV::loop> from returning just
413because you happen to have this long-running UDP port watcher.
414
415In this case you can clear the keepalive status, which means that even
416though your watcher is active, it won't keep C<EV::loop> from returning.
417
418The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you cna change it
419any time.
420
421Example: Register an I/O watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep the
422event loop from running just because of that watcher.
423
424 my $udp_socket = ...
425 my $udp_watcher = EV::io $udp_socket, EV::READ, sub { ... };
426 $udp_watcher->keepalive (0);
427
428=item $loop = $w->loop
429
430Return the loop that this watcher is attached to.
431
432=back
433
434
435=head1 WATCHER TYPES
436
437Each of the following subsections describes a single watcher type.
438
439=head3 I/O WATCHERS - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
440
441=over 4
212 442
213=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 443=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
214 444
215=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 445=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
216 446
447=item $w = $loop->io ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
448
449=item $w = $loop->io_ns ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
450
217As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback> 451As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback>
218when the events specified in C<$eventmask>. 452when at least one of events specified in C<$eventmask> occurs.
219 453
220The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together: 454The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together:
221 455
222 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore 456 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore
223 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore 457 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore
239 473
240=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask) 474=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask)
241 475
242Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one. 476Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one.
243 477
478=back
479
480
481=head3 TIMER WATCHERS - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
482
483=over 4
244 484
245=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback 485=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback
246 486
247=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback 487=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback
248 488
249Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds. If C<$repeat> is non-zero, 489=item $w = $loop->timer ($after, $repeat, $callback)
250the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat value as $after) after the 490
251callback returns. 491=item $w = $loop->timer_ns ($after, $repeat, $callback)
492
493Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds (which may be fractional). If
494C<$repeat> is non-zero, the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat
495value as $after) after the callback returns.
252 496
253This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after> 497This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after>
254seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. "Roughly" because the time of 498seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. The timer does his best not
255callback processing is not taken into account, so the timer will slowly 499to drift, but it will not invoke the timer more often then once per event
256drift. If that isn't acceptable, look at EV::periodic. 500loop iteration, and might drift in other cases. If that isn't acceptable,
501look at EV::periodic, which can provide long-term stable timers.
257 502
258The timer is based on a monotonic clock, that is if somebody is sitting 503The timer is based on a monotonic clock, that is, if somebody is sitting
259in front of the machine while the timer is running and changes the system 504in front of the machine while the timer is running and changes the system
260clock, the timer will nevertheless run (roughly) the same time. 505clock, the timer will nevertheless run (roughly) the same time.
261 506
262The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 507The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
263 508
264=item $w->set ($after, $repeat) 509=item $w->set ($after, $repeat)
265 510
266Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 511Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
267any time. 512any time.
268 513
269=item $w->again 514=item $w->again
270 515
271Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers: 516Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers:
517
518If the timer is active and non-repeating, it will be stopped.
272 519
273If the timer is active and repeating, reset the timeout to occur 520If the timer is active and repeating, reset the timeout to occur
274C<$repeat> seconds after now. 521C<$repeat> seconds after now.
275 522
276If the timer is active and non-repeating, it will be stopped.
277
278If the timer is in active and repeating, start it. 523If the timer is inactive and repeating, start it using the repeat value.
279 524
280Otherwise do nothing. 525Otherwise do nothing.
281 526
282This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO 527This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO
283operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and 528operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and
284C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method 529C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method
285on the timeout. 530on the timeout.
286 531
532=back
287 533
534
535=head3 PERIODIC WATCHERS - to cron or not to cron?
536
537=over 4
538
288=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $callback 539=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
289 540
290=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $callback 541=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
291 542
292Similar to EV::timer, but the time is given as an absolute point in time 543=item $w = $loop->periodic ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
293(C<$at>), plus an optional C<$interval>.
294 544
295If the C<$interval> is zero, then the callback will be called at the time 545=item $w = $loop->periodic_ns ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
296C<$at> if that is in the future, or as soon as possible if it is in the
297past. It will not automatically repeat.
298 546
299If the C<$interval> is nonzero, then the watcher will always be scheduled 547Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on
300to time out at the next C<$at + N * $interval> time. 548absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the
549specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and
550more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time
551jumps (i.e. when the system clock is changed by explicit date -s or other
552means such as ntpd). It is also the most complex watcher type in EV.
301 553
302This can be used to schedule a callback to run at very regular intervals, 554It has three distinct "modes":
303as long as the processing time is less then the interval (otherwise 555
304obviously events will be skipped). 556=over 4
557
558=item * absolute timer ($interval = $reschedule_cb = 0)
559
560This time simply fires at the wallclock time C<$at> and doesn't repeat. It
561will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run
562at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the system time reaches or
563surpasses this time.
564
565=item * repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0)
566
567In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the
568next C<$at + N * $interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat,
569regardless of any time jumps.
570
571This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
572time:
573
574 my $hourly = EV::periodic 0, 3600, 0, sub { print "once/hour\n" };
575
576That doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
577but only that the the clalback will be called when the system time shows a
578full hour (UTC).
305 579
306Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 580Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
307EV::periodic will try to run the callback at the next possible time where 581EV::periodic will try to run the callback in this mode at the next
308C<$time = $at (mod $interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 582possible time where C<$time = $at (mod $interval)>, regardless of any time
583jumps.
309 584
310This periodic timer is based on "wallclock time", that is, if the clock 585=item * manual reschedule mode ($reschedule_cb = coderef)
311changes (C<ntp>, C<date -s> etc.), then the timer will nevertheless run at 586
312the specified time. This means it will never drift (it might jitter, but 587In this mode $interval and $at are both being ignored. Instead, each
313it will not drift). 588time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the reschedule callback
589($reschedule_cb) will be called with the watcher as first, and the current
590time as second argument.
591
592I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy this or any other periodic
593watcher, ever, and MUST NOT call any event loop functions or methods>. If
594you need to stop it, return 1e30 and stop it afterwards. You may create
595and start a C<EV::prepare> watcher for this task.
596
597It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
598(that is, the lowest time value larger than or equal to to the second
599argument). It will usually be called just before the callback will be
600triggered, but might be called at other times, too.
601
602This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
603triggers on each midnight, local time (actually 24 hours after the last
604midnight, to keep the example simple. If you know a way to do it correctly
605in about the same space (without requiring elaborate modules), drop me a
606note :):
607
608 my $daily = EV::periodic 0, 0, sub {
609 my ($w, $now) = @_;
610
611 use Time::Local ();
612 my (undef, undef, undef, $d, $m, $y) = localtime $now;
613 86400 + Time::Local::timelocal 0, 0, 0, $d, $m, $y
614 }, sub {
615 print "it's midnight or likely shortly after, now\n";
616 };
617
618=back
314 619
315The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 620The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
316 621
317=item $w->set ($at, $interval) 622=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb)
318 623
319Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 624Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
320any time. 625any time.
321 626
627=item $w->again
628
629Simply stops and starts the watcher again.
630
631=item $time = $w->at
632
633Return the time that the watcher is expected to trigger next.
634
635=back
636
637
638=head3 SIGNAL WATCHERS - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
639
640=over 4
322 641
323=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback 642=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback
324 643
325=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback 644=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback
326 645
327Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified 646Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified by
328by number or by name, just as with kill or %SIG). 647number or by name, just as with C<kill> or C<%SIG>).
329 648
330EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one 649EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one
331component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher, 650component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher,
332and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you 651and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you
333add/remove callbacks to %SIG, so watch out. 652add/remove callbacks to C<%SIG>, so watch out.
334 653
335You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want. 654You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want.
336 655
337The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 656The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
338 657
339=item $w->set ($signal) 658=item $w->set ($signal)
340 659
341Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 660Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
342any time. 661called at any time.
343 662
344=item $current_signum = $w->signal 663=item $current_signum = $w->signal
345 664
346=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal) 665=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal)
347 666
348Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and 667Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and
349optionally set a new one. 668optionally set a new one.
350 669
670=back
351 671
672
673=head3 CHILD WATCHERS - watch out for process status changes
674
675=over 4
676
352=item $w = EV::child $pid, $callback 677=item $w = EV::child $pid, $trace, $callback
353 678
354=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $callback 679=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $trace, $callback
680
681=item $w = $loop->child ($pid, $trace, $callback)
682
683=item $w = $loop->child_ns ($pid, $trace, $callback)
355 684
356Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid 685Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid
357if C<$pid> is 0) has been received. More precisely: when the process 686if C<$pid> is 0) has been received (a status change happens when the
687process terminates or is killed, or, when trace is true, additionally when
688it is stopped or continued). More precisely: when the process receives
358receives a SIGCHLD, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all 689a C<SIGCHLD>, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all
359changed/zombie children and call the callback. 690changed/zombie children and call the callback.
360 691
361Unlike all other callbacks, this callback will be called with an 692It is valid (and fully supported) to install a child watcher after a child
362additional third argument which is the exit status. See the C<waitpid> 693has exited but before the event loop has started its next iteration (for
363function for details. 694example, first you C<fork>, then the new child process might exit, and
695only then do you install a child watcher in the parent for the new pid).
364 696
697You can access both exit (or tracing) status and pid by using the
698C<rstatus> and C<rpid> methods on the watcher object.
699
365You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want. 700You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want, they will all be
701called.
366 702
367The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 703The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
368 704
369=item $w->set ($pid) 705=item $w->set ($pid, $trace)
370 706
371Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 707Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
372any time. 708any time.
373 709
374=item $current_pid = $w->pid 710=item $current_pid = $w->pid
375 711
376=item $old_pid = $w->pid ($new_pid)
377
378Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one. 712Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one.
379 713
714=item $exit_status = $w->rstatus
715
716Return the exit/wait status (as returned by waitpid, see the waitpid entry
717in perlfunc).
718
719=item $pid = $w->rpid
720
721Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a
722watcher for all pids).
723
724=back
725
726
727=head3 STAT WATCHERS - did the file attributes just change?
728
729=over 4
730
731=item $w = EV::stat $path, $interval, $callback
732
733=item $w = EV::stat_ns $path, $interval, $callback
734
735=item $w = $loop->stat ($path, $interval, $callback)
736
737=item $w = $loop->stat_ns ($path, $interval, $callback)
738
739Call the callback when a file status change has been detected on
740C<$path>. The C<$path> does not need to exist, changing from "path exists"
741to "path does not exist" is a status change like any other.
742
743The C<$interval> is a recommended polling interval for systems where
744OS-supported change notifications don't exist or are not supported. If
745you use C<0> then an unspecified default is used (which is highly
746recommended!), which is to be expected to be around five seconds usually.
747
748This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
749as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
750resource-intensive.
751
752The C<stat_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
753
754=item ... = $w->stat
755
756This call is very similar to the perl C<stat> built-in: It stats (using
757C<lstat>) the path specified in the watcher and sets perls stat cache (as
758well as EV's idea of the current stat values) to the values found.
759
760In scalar context, a boolean is return indicating success or failure of
761the stat. In list context, the same 13-value list as with stat is returned
762(except that the blksize and blocks fields are not reliable).
763
764In the case of an error, errno is set to C<ENOENT> (regardless of the
765actual error value) and the C<nlink> value is forced to zero (if the stat
766was successful then nlink is guaranteed to be non-zero).
767
768See also the next two entries for more info.
769
770=item ... = $w->attr
771
772Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
773the values most recently detected by EV. See the next entry for more info.
774
775=item ... = $w->prev
776
777Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
778the previous set of values, before the change.
779
780That is, when the watcher callback is invoked, C<< $w->prev >> will be set
781to the values found I<before> a change was detected, while C<< $w->attr >>
782returns the values found leading to the change detection. The difference (if any)
783between C<prev> and C<attr> is what triggered the callback.
784
785If you did something to the filesystem object and do not want to trigger
786yet another change, you can call C<stat> to update EV's idea of what the
787current attributes are.
788
789=item $w->set ($path, $interval)
790
791Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
792called at any time.
793
794=item $current_path = $w->path
795
796=item $old_path = $w->path ($new_path)
797
798Returns the previously set path and optionally set a new one.
799
800=item $current_interval = $w->interval
801
802=item $old_interval = $w->interval ($new_interval)
803
804Returns the previously set interval and optionally set a new one. Can be
805used to query the actual interval used.
806
807=back
808
809
810=head3 IDLE WATCHERS - when you've got nothing better to do...
811
812=over 4
380 813
381=item $w = EV::idle $callback 814=item $w = EV::idle $callback
382 815
383=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback 816=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback
384 817
385Call the callback when there are no pending io, timer/periodic, signal or 818=item $w = $loop->idle ($callback)
386child events, i.e. when the process is idle. 819
820=item $w = $loop->idle_ns ($callback)
821
822Call the callback when there are no other pending watchers of the same or
823higher priority (excluding check, prepare and other idle watchers of the
824same or lower priority, of course). They are called idle watchers because
825when the watcher is the highest priority pending event in the process, the
826process is considered to be idle at that priority.
827
828If you want a watcher that is only ever called when I<no> other events are
829outstanding you have to set the priority to C<EV::MINPRI>.
387 830
388The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and 831The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and
389they will be called repeatedly until stopped. 832they will be called repeatedly until stopped.
390 833
834For example, if you have idle watchers at priority C<0> and C<1>, and
835an I/O watcher at priority C<0>, then the idle watcher at priority C<1>
836and the I/O watcher will always run when ready. Only when the idle watcher
837at priority C<1> is stopped and the I/O watcher at priority C<0> is not
838pending with the C<0>-priority idle watcher be invoked.
839
391The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 840The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
392 841
842=back
843
844
845=head3 PREPARE WATCHERS - customise your event loop!
846
847=over 4
393 848
394=item $w = EV::prepare $callback 849=item $w = EV::prepare $callback
395 850
396=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback 851=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback
852
853=item $w = $loop->prepare ($callback)
854
855=item $w = $loop->prepare_ns ($callback)
397 856
398Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still 857Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still
399create/modify any watchers at this point. 858create/modify any watchers at this point.
400 859
401See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example. 860See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example.
402 861
403The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 862The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
404 863
864=back
865
866
867=head3 CHECK WATCHERS - customise your event loop even more!
868
869=over 4
405 870
406=item $w = EV::check $callback 871=item $w = EV::check $callback
407 872
408=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback 873=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback
874
875=item $w = $loop->check ($callback)
876
877=item $w = $loop->check_ns ($callback)
409 878
410Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has 879Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has
411gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked. 880gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked.
412 881
413This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV 882This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV
421 # do nothing unless active 890 # do nothing unless active
422 $dispatcher->{_event_queue_h} 891 $dispatcher->{_event_queue_h}
423 or return; 892 or return;
424 893
425 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff 894 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff
895 ... not shown
426 896
427 # create an IO watcher for each and every socket 897 # create an I/O watcher for each and every socket
428 @snmp_watcher = ( 898 @snmp_watcher = (
429 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } } 899 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } }
430 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }), 900 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }),
901
902 EV::timer +($event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE]
903 ? $event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_TIME] - EV::now : 0),
904 0, sub { },
431 ); 905 );
432
433 # if there are any timeouts, also create a timer
434 push @snmp_watcher, EV::timer $event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_TIME] - EV::now, 0, sub { }
435 if $event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE];
436 }; 906 };
437 907
438The callbacks are irrelevant, the only purpose of those watchers is 908The callbacks are irrelevant (and are not even being called), the
439to wake up the process as soon as one of those events occurs (socket 909only purpose of those watchers is to wake up the process as soon as
440readable, or timer timed out). The corresponding EV::check watcher will then 910one of those events occurs (socket readable, or timer timed out). The
441clean up: 911corresponding EV::check watcher will then clean up:
442 912
443 our $snmp_check = EV::check sub { 913 our $snmp_check = EV::check sub {
444 # destroy all watchers 914 # destroy all watchers
445 @snmp_watcher = (); 915 @snmp_watcher = ();
446 916
447 # make the dispatcher handle any new stuff 917 # make the dispatcher handle any new stuff
918 ... not shown
448 }; 919 };
449 920
450The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the watchers 921The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the watchers
451are destroyed before this cna happen (remember EV::check gets called 922are destroyed before this cna happen (remember EV::check gets called
452first). 923first).
453 924
454The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 925The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
455 926
456=back 927=back
457 928
929
930=head3 FORK WATCHERS - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
931
932Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected. The invocation
933is done before the event loop blocks next and before C<check> watchers
934are being called, and only in the child after the fork.
935
936=over 4
937
938=item $w = EV::fork $callback
939
940=item $w = EV::fork_ns $callback
941
942=item $w = $loop->fork ($callback)
943
944=item $w = $loop->fork_ns ($callback)
945
946Call the callback before the event loop is resumed in the child process
947after a fork.
948
949The C<fork_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
950
951=back
952
953
954=head3 EMBED WATCHERS - when one backend isn't enough...
955
956This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
957into another (currently only IO events are supported in the embedded
958loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
959fashion and must not be used).
960
961See the libev documentation at
962L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_>
963(locally installed as F<EV::c_doc>) for more details.
964
965In short, this watcher is most useful on BSD systems without working
966kqueue to still be able to handle a large number of sockets:
967
968 my $socket_loop;
969
970 # check wether we use SELECT or POLL _and_ KQUEUE is supported
971 if (
972 (EV::backend & (EV::BACKEND_POLL | EV::BACKEND_SELECT))
973 && (EV::supported_backends & EV::embeddable_backends & EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE)
974 ) {
975 # use kqueue for sockets
976 $socket_loop = new EV::Loop EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE | EV::FLAG_NOENV;
977 }
978
979 # use the default loop otherwise
980 $socket_loop ||= EV::default_loop;
981
982=over 4
983
984=item $w = EV::embed $otherloop[, $callback]
985
986=item $w = EV::embed_ns $otherloop[, $callback]
987
988=item $w = $loop->embed ($otherloop[, $callback])
989
990=item $w = $loop->embed_ns ($otherloop[, $callback])
991
992Call the callback when the embedded event loop (C<$otherloop>) has any
993I/O activity. The C<$callback> is optional: if it is missing, then the
994embedded event loop will be managed automatically (which is recommended),
995otherwise you have to invoke C<sweep> yourself.
996
997The C<embed_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
998
999=back
1000
1001=head3 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop
1002
1003Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly, as perl
1004neither supports threads nor direct access to signal handlers or other
1005contexts where they could be of value.
1006
1007It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level.
1008
1009Please see the libev documentation for further details.
1010
1011=over 4
1012
1013=item $w = EV::async $callback
1014
1015=item $w = EV::async_ns $callback
1016
1017=item $w->send
1018
1019=item $bool = $w->async_pending
1020
1021=back
1022
1023
1024=head1 PERL SIGNALS
1025
1026While Perl signal handling (C<%SIG>) is not affected by EV, the behaviour
1027with EV is as the same as any other C library: Perl-signals will only be
1028handled when Perl runs, which means your signal handler might be invoked
1029only the next time an event callback is invoked.
1030
1031The solution is to use EV signal watchers (see C<EV::signal>), which will
1032ensure proper operations with regards to other event watchers.
1033
1034If you cannot do this for whatever reason, you can also force a watcher
1035to be called on every event loop iteration by installing a C<EV::check>
1036watcher:
1037
1038 my $async_check = EV::check sub { };
1039
1040This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any
1041pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation.
1042
458=head1 THREADS 1043=head1 THREADS
459 1044
460Threads are not supported by this in any way. Perl pseudo-threads is evil 1045Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads
461stuff and must die. 1046is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work
1047on thread support for it.
1048
1049=head1 FORK
1050
1051Most of the "improved" event delivering mechanisms of modern operating
1052systems have quite a few problems with fork(2) (to put it bluntly: it is
1053not supported and usually destructive). Libev makes it possible to work
1054around this by having a function that recreates the kernel state after
1055fork in the child.
1056
1057On non-win32 platforms, this module requires the pthread_atfork
1058functionality to do this automatically for you. This function is quite
1059buggy on most BSDs, though, so YMMV. The overhead for this is quite
1060negligible, because everything the function currently does is set a flag
1061that is checked only when the event loop gets used the next time, so when
1062you do fork but not use EV, the overhead is minimal.
1063
1064On win32, there is no notion of fork so all this doesn't apply, of course.
462 1065
463=cut 1066=cut
464 1067
465our $DIED = sub { 1068our $DIED = sub {
466 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@"; 1069 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@";
467}; 1070};
468 1071
469init; 1072default_loop
470 1073 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_FLAGS}?';
471push @AnyEvent::REGISTRY, [EV => "EV::AnyEvent"];
472 1074
4731; 10751;
474 1076
475=head1 SEE ALSO 1077=head1 SEE ALSO
476 1078
477 L<EV::DNS>, L<EV::AnyEvent>. 1079L<EV::ADNS> (asynchronous DNS), L<Glib::EV> (makes Glib/Gtk2 use EV as
1080event loop), L<EV::Glib> (embed Glib into EV), L<Coro::EV> (efficient
1081coroutines with EV), L<Net::SNMP::EV> (asynchronous SNMP), L<AnyEvent> for
1082event-loop agnostic and portable event driven programming.
478 1083
479=head1 AUTHOR 1084=head1 AUTHOR
480 1085
481 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1086 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
482 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1087 http://home.schmorp.de/
483 1088
484=cut 1089=cut
485 1090

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