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Revision 1.36 by root, Sun Nov 11 04:14:09 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.115 by root, Tue Apr 28 00:50:56 2009 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::loop_done 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
61libev itself (L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod> or
62F<perldoc EV::libev>) 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.
72
73=head2 MODULE EXPORTS
74
75This module does not export any symbols.
54 76
55=cut 77=cut
56 78
57package EV; 79package EV;
58 80
81no warnings;
59use strict; 82use strict;
60 83
61BEGIN { 84BEGIN {
62 our $VERSION = '0.8'; 85 our $VERSION = '3.6';
63 use XSLoader; 86 use XSLoader;
64 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION; 87 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION;
65} 88}
66 89
67@EV::Io::ISA = 90@EV::IO::ISA =
68@EV::Timer::ISA = 91@EV::Timer::ISA =
69@EV::Periodic::ISA = 92@EV::Periodic::ISA =
70@EV::Signal::ISA = 93@EV::Signal::ISA =
94@EV::Child::ISA =
95@EV::Stat::ISA =
71@EV::Idle::ISA = 96@EV::Idle::ISA =
72@EV::Prepare::ISA = 97@EV::Prepare::ISA =
73@EV::Check::ISA = 98@EV::Check::ISA =
74@EV::Child::ISA = "EV::Watcher"; 99@EV::Embed::ISA =
100@EV::Fork::ISA =
101@EV::Async::ISA =
102 "EV::Watcher";
103
104@EV::Loop::Default::ISA = "EV::Loop";
105
106=head1 EVENT LOOPS
107
108EV supports multiple event loops: There is a single "default event loop"
109that can handle everything including signals and child watchers, and any
110number of "dynamic event loops" that can use different backends (with
111various limitations), but no child and signal watchers.
112
113You do not have to do anything to create the default event loop: When
114the module is loaded a suitable backend is selected on the premise of
115selecting a working backend (which for example rules out kqueue on most
116BSDs). Modules should, unless they have "special needs" always use the
117default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other
118modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop.
119
120For specific programs you can create additional event loops dynamically.
121
122If you want to take advantage of kqueue (which often works properly for
123sockets only) even though the default loop doesn't enable it, you can
124I<embed> a kqueue loop into the default loop: running the default loop
125will then also service the kqueue loop to some extent. See the example in
126the section about embed watchers for an example on how to achieve that.
127
128=over 4
129
130=item $loop = new EV::Loop [$flags]
131
132Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to
133the C<ev_loop_new ()> function description in the libev documentation
134(L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS>,
135or locally-installed as F<EV::libev> manpage) for more info.
136
137The loop will automatically be destroyed when it is no longer referenced
138by any watcher and the loop object goes out of scope.
139
140If you are not embedding the loop, then Using C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK>
141is recommended, as only the default event loop is protected by this
142module. If you I<are> embedding this loop in the default loop, this is not
143necessary, as C<EV::embed> automatically does the right thing on fork.
144
145=item $loop->loop_fork
146
147Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or continuing
148the event loop. An alternative is to use C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK> which calls
149this function automatically, at some performance loss (refer to the libev
150documentation).
151
152=item $loop->loop_verify
153
154Calls C<ev_verify> to make internal consistency checks (for debugging
155libev) and abort the program if any data structures were found to be
156corrupted.
157
158=item $loop = EV::default_loop [$flags]
159
160Return the default loop (which is a singleton object). Since this module
161already creates the default loop with default flags, specifying flags here
162will not have any effect unless you destroy the default loop first, which
163isn't supported. So in short: don't do it, and if you break it, you get to
164keep the pieces.
165
166=back
167
75 168
76=head1 BASIC INTERFACE 169=head1 BASIC INTERFACE
77 170
78=over 4 171=over 4
79 172
80=item $EV::DIED 173=item $EV::DIED
81 174
82Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback 175Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback
83throws an exception (with $@ containing thr error). The default prints an 176throws an exception (with $@ containing the error). The default prints an
84informative message and continues. 177informative message and continues.
85 178
86If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored. 179If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored.
87 180
181=item $flags = EV::supported_backends
182
183=item $flags = EV::recommended_backends
184
185=item $flags = EV::embeddable_backends
186
187Returns the set (see C<EV::BACKEND_*> flags) of backends supported by this
188instance of EV, the set of recommended backends (supposed to be good) for
189this platform and the set of embeddable backends (see EMBED WATCHERS).
190
191=item EV::sleep $seconds
192
193Block the process for the given number of (fractional) seconds.
194
88=item $time = EV::time 195=item $time = EV::time
89 196
90Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch. 197Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch.
91 198
92=item $time = EV::now 199=item $time = EV::now
93 200
201=item $time = $loop->now
202
94Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. This 203Returns 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 204is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and referring to it is
96usually faster then calling EV::time. 205usually faster then calling EV::time.
97 206
98=item $method = EV::ev_method 207=item EV::now_update
99 208
209=item $loop->now_update
210
211Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
212returned by C<EV::now> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
213is usually done automatically within C<EV::loop>.
214
215This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
216very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
217the current time is a good idea.
218
219=item EV::suspend
220
221=item $loop->suspend
222
223=item EV::resume
224
225=item $loop->resume
226
227These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
228not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
229
230A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
231the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
232would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
233the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<suspend>
234in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
235C<resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
236
237Effectively, all C<timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
238between C<suspend> and C<resume>, and all C<periodic> watchers
239will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
240occured while suspended).
241
242After calling C<suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the given
243loop other than C<resume>, and you B<must not> call C<resume>
244without a previous call to C<suspend>.
245
246Calling C<suspend>/C<resume> has the side effect of updating the event
247loop time (see C<now_update>).
248
249=item $backend = EV::backend
250
251=item $backend = $loop->backend
252
100Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT 253Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::BACKEND_SELECT
101or EV::METHOD_EPOLL). 254or EV::BACKEND_EPOLL).
102 255
103=item EV::loop [$flags] 256=item EV::loop [$flags]
104 257
258=item $loop->loop ([$flags])
259
105Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a 260Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a
106callback calls EV::loop_done. 261callback calls EV::unloop.
107 262
108The $flags argument can be one of the following: 263The $flags argument can be one of the following:
109 264
110 0 as above 265 0 as above
111 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop) 266 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop)
112 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait) 267 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait)
113 268
114=item EV::loop_done [$how] 269=item EV::unloop [$how]
115 270
271=item $loop->unloop ([$how])
272
116When called with no arguments or an argument of 1, makes the innermost 273When called with no arguments or an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ONE, makes the
117call to EV::loop return. 274innermost call to EV::loop return.
118 275
119When called with an agrument of 2, all calls to EV::loop will return as 276When called with an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ALL, all calls to EV::loop will return as
120fast as possible. 277fast as possible.
121 278
122=back 279=item $count = EV::loop_count
123 280
124=head2 WATCHER 281=item $count = $loop->loop_count
282
283Return the number of times the event loop has polled for new
284events. Sometimes useful as a generation counter.
285
286=item EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents)
287
288=item $loop->once ($fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents))
289
290This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single
291one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object.
292
293If C<$fh_or_undef> is a filehandle or file descriptor, then C<$events>
294must be a bitset containing either C<EV::READ>, C<EV::WRITE> or C<EV::READ
295| EV::WRITE>, indicating the type of I/O event you want to wait for. If
296you do not want to wait for some I/O event, specify C<undef> for
297C<$fh_or_undef> and C<0> for C<$events>).
298
299If timeout is C<undef> or negative, then there will be no
300timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started.
301
302When 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
304you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV::ERROR>, C<EV::READ>,
305C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMEOUT>).
306
307EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either
308of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback
309invoked.
310
311=item EV::feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
312
313=item $loop->feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
314
315Feed an event on a file descriptor into EV. EV will react to this call as
316if the readyness notifications specified by C<$revents> (a combination of
317C<EV::READ> and C<EV::WRITE>) happened on the file descriptor C<$fd>.
318
319=item EV::feed_signal_event ($signal)
320
321Feed a signal event into EV. EV will react to this call as if the signal
322specified by C<$signal> had occured.
323
324=item EV::set_io_collect_interval $time
325
326=item $loop->set_io_collect_interval ($time)
327
328=item EV::set_timeout_collect_interval $time
329
330=item $loop->set_timeout_collect_interval ($time)
331
332These 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
334L<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.
336
337=back
338
339
340=head1 WATCHER OBJECTS
125 341
126A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some 342A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some
127event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you 343event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you
128would create an EV::io watcher for that: 344would create an EV::io watcher for that:
129 345
130 my $watcher = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub { 346 my $watcher = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub {
131 my ($watcher, $revents) = @_; 347 my ($watcher, $revents) = @_;
132 warn "yeah, STDIN should not be readable without blocking!\n" 348 warn "yeah, STDIN should now be readable without blocking!\n"
133 }; 349 };
134 350
135All watchers can be active (waiting for events) or inactive (paused). Only 351All watchers can be active (waiting for events) or inactive (paused). Only
136active watchers will have their callbacks invoked. All callbacks will be 352active watchers will have their callbacks invoked. All callbacks will be
137called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of received 353called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of received
138events. 354events.
139 355
140Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the 356Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the
141same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the 357same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the
142type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE, 358type, i.e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE,
143EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of IO events 359EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O events
144(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which 360(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which
145uses EV::TIMEOUT). 361uses EV::TIMEOUT).
146 362
147In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at 363In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at
148the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in 364the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in
154 370
155Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority, 371Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority,
156->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active, 372->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active,
157which means pending events get lost. 373which means pending events get lost.
158 374
159=head2 WATCHER TYPES 375=head2 COMMON WATCHER METHODS
160 376
161Now lets move to the existing watcher types and asociated methods. 377This section lists methods common to all watchers.
162
163The following methods are available for all watchers. Then followes a
164description of each watcher constructor (EV::io, EV::timer, EV::periodic,
165EV::signal, EV::child, EV::idle, EV::prepare and EV::check), followed by
166any type-specific methods (if any).
167 378
168=over 4 379=over 4
169 380
170=item $w->start 381=item $w->start
171 382
175 386
176=item $w->stop 387=item $w->stop
177 388
178Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that 389Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that
179have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation), 390have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation),
180regardless of wether the watcher was active or not. 391regardless of whether the watcher was active or not.
181 392
182=item $bool = $w->is_active 393=item $bool = $w->is_active
183 394
184Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise. 395Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise.
185 396
210watchers with higher priority will be invoked first. The valid range of 421watchers with higher priority will be invoked first. The valid range of
211priorities lies between EV::MAXPRI (default 2) and EV::MINPRI (default 422priorities lies between EV::MAXPRI (default 2) and EV::MINPRI (default
212-2). If the priority is outside this range it will automatically be 423-2). If the priority is outside this range it will automatically be
213normalised to the nearest valid priority. 424normalised to the nearest valid priority.
214 425
215The default priority of any newly-created weatcher is 0. 426The default priority of any newly-created watcher is 0.
216 427
428Note that the priority semantics have not yet been fleshed out and are
429subject to almost certain change.
430
217=item $w->trigger ($revents) 431=item $w->invoke ($revents)
218 432
219Call the callback *now* with the given event mask. 433Call the callback *now* with the given event mask.
220 434
435=item $w->feed_event ($revents)
436
437Feed some events on this watcher into EV. EV will react to this call as if
438the watcher had received the given C<$revents> mask.
439
440=item $revents = $w->clear_pending
441
442If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
443returns its C<$revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
444watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
445
446=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool)
447
448Normally, 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
450convinient 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
452finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :).
453
454Sometimes, 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
456as a long-living watcher (for example a DNS client module written by
457somebody else even). Then you might want any outstanding requests to be
458handled, but you would not want to keep C<EV::loop> from returning just
459because you happen to have this long-running UDP port watcher.
460
461In this case you can clear the keepalive status, which means that even
462though your watcher is active, it won't keep C<EV::loop> from returning.
463
464The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you can change it
465any time.
466
467Example: Register an I/O watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep the
468event loop from running just because of that watcher.
469
470 my $udp_socket = ...
471 my $udp_watcher = EV::io $udp_socket, EV::READ, sub { ... };
472 $udp_watcher->keepalive (0);
473
474=item $loop = $w->loop
475
476Return the loop that this watcher is attached to.
477
478=back
479
480
481=head1 WATCHER TYPES
482
483Each of the following subsections describes a single watcher type.
484
485=head3 I/O WATCHERS - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
486
487=over 4
221 488
222=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 489=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
223 490
224=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 491=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
225 492
493=item $w = $loop->io ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
494
495=item $w = $loop->io_ns ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
496
226As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback> 497As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback>
227when the events specified in C<$eventmask>. 498when at least one of events specified in C<$eventmask> occurs.
228 499
229The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together: 500The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together:
230 501
231 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore 502 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore
232 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore 503 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore
248 519
249=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask) 520=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask)
250 521
251Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one. 522Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one.
252 523
524=back
525
526
527=head3 TIMER WATCHERS - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
528
529=over 4
253 530
254=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback 531=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback
255 532
256=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback 533=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback
257 534
258Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds. If C<$repeat> is non-zero, 535=item $w = $loop->timer ($after, $repeat, $callback)
259the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat value as $after) after the 536
260callback returns. 537=item $w = $loop->timer_ns ($after, $repeat, $callback)
538
539Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds (which may be fractional). If
540C<$repeat> is non-zero, the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat
541value as $after) after the callback returns.
261 542
262This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after> 543This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after>
263seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. "Roughly" because the time of 544seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. The timer does his best not
264callback processing is not taken into account, so the timer will slowly 545to drift, but it will not invoke the timer more often then once per event
265drift. If that isn't acceptable, look at EV::periodic. 546loop iteration, and might drift in other cases. If that isn't acceptable,
547look at EV::periodic, which can provide long-term stable timers.
266 548
267The timer is based on a monotonic clock, that is if somebody is sitting 549The timer is based on a monotonic clock, that is, if somebody is sitting
268in front of the machine while the timer is running and changes the system 550in front of the machine while the timer is running and changes the system
269clock, the timer will nevertheless run (roughly) the same time. 551clock, the timer will nevertheless run (roughly) the same time.
270 552
271The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 553The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
272 554
273=item $w->set ($after, $repeat) 555=item $w->set ($after, $repeat)
274 556
275Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 557Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
276any time. 558any time.
277 559
278=item $w->again 560=item $w->again
279 561
280Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers: 562Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers:
563
564If the timer is active and non-repeating, it will be stopped.
281 565
282If the timer is active and repeating, reset the timeout to occur 566If the timer is active and repeating, reset the timeout to occur
283C<$repeat> seconds after now. 567C<$repeat> seconds after now.
284 568
285If the timer is active and non-repeating, it will be stopped.
286
287If the timer is in active and repeating, start it. 569If the timer is inactive and repeating, start it using the repeat value.
288 570
289Otherwise do nothing. 571Otherwise do nothing.
290 572
291This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO 573This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO
292operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and 574operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and
293C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method 575C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method
294on the timeout. 576on the timeout.
295 577
578=back
579
580
581=head3 PERIODIC WATCHERS - to cron or not to cron?
582
583=over 4
296 584
297=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback 585=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
298 586
299=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback 587=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
588
589=item $w = $loop->periodic ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
590
591=item $w = $loop->periodic_ns ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
300 592
301Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on 593Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on
302absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the 594absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the
303specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and 595specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and
304more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time 596more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time
314This time simply fires at the wallclock time C<$at> and doesn't repeat. It 606This time simply fires at the wallclock time C<$at> and doesn't repeat. It
315will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run 607will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run
316at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the system time reaches or 608at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the system time reaches or
317surpasses this time. 609surpasses this time.
318 610
319=item * non-repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0) 611=item * repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0)
320 612
321In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the 613In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the
322next C<$at + N * $interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, 614next C<$at + N * $interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat,
323regardless of any time jumps. 615regardless of any time jumps.
324 616
336possible time where C<$time = $at (mod $interval)>, regardless of any time 628possible time where C<$time = $at (mod $interval)>, regardless of any time
337jumps. 629jumps.
338 630
339=item * manual reschedule mode ($reschedule_cb = coderef) 631=item * manual reschedule mode ($reschedule_cb = coderef)
340 632
341In this mode $interval and $at are both being ignored. Instead, each time 633In this mode $interval and $at are both being ignored. Instead, each
342the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the first callback ($reschedule_cb) 634time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the reschedule callback
343will be called with the watcher as first, and the current time as second 635($reschedule_cb) will be called with the watcher as first, and the current
344argument. 636time as second argument.
345 637
346I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy this or any other periodic 638I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy this or any other periodic
347watcher, ever>. If you need to stop it, return 1e30 and stop it 639watcher, ever, and MUST NOT call any event loop functions or methods>. If
348afterwards. 640you need to stop it, return 1e30 and stop it afterwards. You may create
641and start a C<EV::prepare> watcher for this task.
349 642
350It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 643It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
351(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 644(that is, the lowest time value larger than or equal to to the second
352will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 645argument). It will usually be called just before the callback will be
353might be called at other times, too. 646triggered, but might be called at other times, too.
354 647
355This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 648This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
356triggers on each midnight, local time (actually 24 hours after the last 649triggers on each midnight, local time (actually 24 hours after the last
357midnight, to keep the example simple. If you know a way to do it correctly 650midnight, to keep the example simple. If you know a way to do it correctly
358in about the same space (without requiring elaborate modules), drop me a 651in about the same space (without requiring elaborate modules), drop me a
372 665
373The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 666The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
374 667
375=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb) 668=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb)
376 669
377Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 670Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
378any time. 671any time.
379 672
380=item $w->again 673=item $w->again
381 674
382Simply stops and starts the watcher again. 675Simply stops and starts the watcher again.
383 676
677=item $time = $w->at
678
679Return the time that the watcher is expected to trigger next.
680
681=back
682
683
684=head3 SIGNAL WATCHERS - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
685
686=over 4
384 687
385=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback 688=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback
386 689
387=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback 690=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback
388 691
389Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified 692Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified by
390by number or by name, just as with kill or %SIG). 693number or by name, just as with C<kill> or C<%SIG>).
391 694
392EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one 695EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one
393component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher, 696component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher,
394and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you 697and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you
395add/remove callbacks to %SIG, so watch out. 698add/remove callbacks to C<%SIG>, so watch out.
396 699
397You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want. 700You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want.
398 701
399The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 702The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
400 703
401=item $w->set ($signal) 704=item $w->set ($signal)
402 705
403Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 706Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
404any time. 707called at any time.
405 708
406=item $current_signum = $w->signal 709=item $current_signum = $w->signal
407 710
408=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal) 711=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal)
409 712
410Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and 713Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and
411optionally set a new one. 714optionally set a new one.
412 715
716=back
413 717
718
719=head3 CHILD WATCHERS - watch out for process status changes
720
721=over 4
722
414=item $w = EV::child $pid, $callback 723=item $w = EV::child $pid, $trace, $callback
415 724
416=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $callback 725=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $trace, $callback
726
727=item $w = $loop->child ($pid, $trace, $callback)
728
729=item $w = $loop->child_ns ($pid, $trace, $callback)
417 730
418Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid 731Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid
419if C<$pid> is 0) has been received. More precisely: when the process 732if C<$pid> is 0) has been received (a status change happens when the
733process terminates or is killed, or, when trace is true, additionally when
734it is stopped or continued). More precisely: when the process receives
420receives a SIGCHLD, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all 735a C<SIGCHLD>, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all
421changed/zombie children and call the callback. 736changed/zombie children and call the callback.
422 737
423You can access both status and pid by using the C<rstatus> and C<rpid> 738It is valid (and fully supported) to install a child watcher after a child
424methods on the watcher object. 739has exited but before the event loop has started its next iteration (for
740example, first you C<fork>, then the new child process might exit, and
741only then do you install a child watcher in the parent for the new pid).
425 742
743You can access both exit (or tracing) status and pid by using the
744C<rstatus> and C<rpid> methods on the watcher object.
745
426You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want. 746You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want, they will all be
747called.
427 748
428The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 749The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
429 750
430=item $w->set ($pid) 751=item $w->set ($pid, $trace)
431 752
432Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 753Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
433any time. 754any time.
434 755
435=item $current_pid = $w->pid 756=item $current_pid = $w->pid
436
437=item $old_pid = $w->pid ($new_pid)
438 757
439Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one. 758Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one.
440 759
441=item $exit_status = $w->rstatus 760=item $exit_status = $w->rstatus
442 761
446=item $pid = $w->rpid 765=item $pid = $w->rpid
447 766
448Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a 767Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a
449watcher for all pids). 768watcher for all pids).
450 769
770=back
771
772
773=head3 STAT WATCHERS - did the file attributes just change?
774
775=over 4
776
777=item $w = EV::stat $path, $interval, $callback
778
779=item $w = EV::stat_ns $path, $interval, $callback
780
781=item $w = $loop->stat ($path, $interval, $callback)
782
783=item $w = $loop->stat_ns ($path, $interval, $callback)
784
785Call the callback when a file status change has been detected on
786C<$path>. The C<$path> does not need to exist, changing from "path exists"
787to "path does not exist" is a status change like any other.
788
789The C<$interval> is a recommended polling interval for systems where
790OS-supported change notifications don't exist or are not supported. If
791you use C<0> then an unspecified default is used (which is highly
792recommended!), which is to be expected to be around five seconds usually.
793
794This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
795as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
796resource-intensive.
797
798The C<stat_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
799
800=item ... = $w->stat
801
802This call is very similar to the perl C<stat> built-in: It stats (using
803C<lstat>) the path specified in the watcher and sets perls stat cache (as
804well as EV's idea of the current stat values) to the values found.
805
806In scalar context, a boolean is return indicating success or failure of
807the stat. In list context, the same 13-value list as with stat is returned
808(except that the blksize and blocks fields are not reliable).
809
810In the case of an error, errno is set to C<ENOENT> (regardless of the
811actual error value) and the C<nlink> value is forced to zero (if the stat
812was successful then nlink is guaranteed to be non-zero).
813
814See also the next two entries for more info.
815
816=item ... = $w->attr
817
818Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
819the values most recently detected by EV. See the next entry for more info.
820
821=item ... = $w->prev
822
823Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
824the previous set of values, before the change.
825
826That is, when the watcher callback is invoked, C<< $w->prev >> will be set
827to the values found I<before> a change was detected, while C<< $w->attr >>
828returns the values found leading to the change detection. The difference (if any)
829between C<prev> and C<attr> is what triggered the callback.
830
831If you did something to the filesystem object and do not want to trigger
832yet another change, you can call C<stat> to update EV's idea of what the
833current attributes are.
834
835=item $w->set ($path, $interval)
836
837Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
838called at any time.
839
840=item $current_path = $w->path
841
842=item $old_path = $w->path ($new_path)
843
844Returns the previously set path and optionally set a new one.
845
846=item $current_interval = $w->interval
847
848=item $old_interval = $w->interval ($new_interval)
849
850Returns the previously set interval and optionally set a new one. Can be
851used to query the actual interval used.
852
853=back
854
855
856=head3 IDLE WATCHERS - when you've got nothing better to do...
857
858=over 4
451 859
452=item $w = EV::idle $callback 860=item $w = EV::idle $callback
453 861
454=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback 862=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback
455 863
456Call the callback when there are no pending io, timer/periodic, signal or 864=item $w = $loop->idle ($callback)
457child events, i.e. when the process is idle. 865
866=item $w = $loop->idle_ns ($callback)
867
868Call the callback when there are no other pending watchers of the same or
869higher priority (excluding check, prepare and other idle watchers of the
870same or lower priority, of course). They are called idle watchers because
871when the watcher is the highest priority pending event in the process, the
872process is considered to be idle at that priority.
873
874If you want a watcher that is only ever called when I<no> other events are
875outstanding you have to set the priority to C<EV::MINPRI>.
458 876
459The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and 877The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and
460they will be called repeatedly until stopped. 878they will be called repeatedly until stopped.
461 879
880For example, if you have idle watchers at priority C<0> and C<1>, and
881an I/O watcher at priority C<0>, then the idle watcher at priority C<1>
882and the I/O watcher will always run when ready. Only when the idle watcher
883at priority C<1> is stopped and the I/O watcher at priority C<0> is not
884pending with the C<0>-priority idle watcher be invoked.
885
462The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 886The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
463 887
888=back
889
890
891=head3 PREPARE WATCHERS - customise your event loop!
892
893=over 4
464 894
465=item $w = EV::prepare $callback 895=item $w = EV::prepare $callback
466 896
467=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback 897=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback
898
899=item $w = $loop->prepare ($callback)
900
901=item $w = $loop->prepare_ns ($callback)
468 902
469Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still 903Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still
470create/modify any watchers at this point. 904create/modify any watchers at this point.
471 905
472See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example. 906See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example.
473 907
474The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 908The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
475 909
910=back
911
912
913=head3 CHECK WATCHERS - customise your event loop even more!
914
915=over 4
476 916
477=item $w = EV::check $callback 917=item $w = EV::check $callback
478 918
479=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback 919=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback
920
921=item $w = $loop->check ($callback)
922
923=item $w = $loop->check_ns ($callback)
480 924
481Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has 925Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has
482gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked. 926gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked.
483 927
484This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV 928This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV
492 # do nothing unless active 936 # do nothing unless active
493 $dispatcher->{_event_queue_h} 937 $dispatcher->{_event_queue_h}
494 or return; 938 or return;
495 939
496 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff 940 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff
941 ... not shown
497 942
498 # create an IO watcher for each and every socket 943 # create an I/O watcher for each and every socket
499 @snmp_watcher = ( 944 @snmp_watcher = (
500 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } } 945 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } }
501 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }), 946 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }),
947
948 EV::timer +($event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE]
949 ? $event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_TIME] - EV::now : 0),
950 0, sub { },
502 ); 951 );
503
504 # if there are any timeouts, also create a timer
505 push @snmp_watcher, EV::timer $event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_TIME] - EV::now, 0, sub { }
506 if $event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE];
507 }; 952 };
508 953
509The callbacks are irrelevant, the only purpose of those watchers is 954The callbacks are irrelevant (and are not even being called), the
510to wake up the process as soon as one of those events occurs (socket 955only purpose of those watchers is to wake up the process as soon as
511readable, or timer timed out). The corresponding EV::check watcher will then 956one of those events occurs (socket readable, or timer timed out). The
512clean up: 957corresponding EV::check watcher will then clean up:
513 958
514 our $snmp_check = EV::check sub { 959 our $snmp_check = EV::check sub {
515 # destroy all watchers 960 # destroy all watchers
516 @snmp_watcher = (); 961 @snmp_watcher = ();
517 962
518 # make the dispatcher handle any new stuff 963 # make the dispatcher handle any new stuff
964 ... not shown
519 }; 965 };
520 966
521The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the watchers 967The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the watchers
522are destroyed before this cna happen (remember EV::check gets called 968are destroyed before this can happen (remember EV::check gets called
523first). 969first).
524 970
525The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 971The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
526 972
527=back 973=back
528 974
975
976=head3 FORK WATCHERS - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
977
978Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected. The invocation
979is done before the event loop blocks next and before C<check> watchers
980are being called, and only in the child after the fork.
981
982=over 4
983
984=item $w = EV::fork $callback
985
986=item $w = EV::fork_ns $callback
987
988=item $w = $loop->fork ($callback)
989
990=item $w = $loop->fork_ns ($callback)
991
992Call the callback before the event loop is resumed in the child process
993after a fork.
994
995The C<fork_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
996
997=back
998
999
1000=head3 EMBED WATCHERS - when one backend isn't enough...
1001
1002This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1003into another (currently only IO events are supported in the embedded
1004loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1005fashion and must not be used).
1006
1007See the libev documentation at
1008L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_>
1009(locally installed as F<EV::libev>) for more details.
1010
1011In short, this watcher is most useful on BSD systems without working
1012kqueue to still be able to handle a large number of sockets:
1013
1014 my $socket_loop;
1015
1016 # check wether we use SELECT or POLL _and_ KQUEUE is supported
1017 if (
1018 (EV::backend & (EV::BACKEND_POLL | EV::BACKEND_SELECT))
1019 && (EV::supported_backends & EV::embeddable_backends & EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE)
1020 ) {
1021 # use kqueue for sockets
1022 $socket_loop = new EV::Loop EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE | EV::FLAG_NOENV;
1023 }
1024
1025 # use the default loop otherwise
1026 $socket_loop ||= EV::default_loop;
1027
1028=over 4
1029
1030=item $w = EV::embed $otherloop[, $callback]
1031
1032=item $w = EV::embed_ns $otherloop[, $callback]
1033
1034=item $w = $loop->embed ($otherloop[, $callback])
1035
1036=item $w = $loop->embed_ns ($otherloop[, $callback])
1037
1038Call the callback when the embedded event loop (C<$otherloop>) has any
1039I/O activity. The C<$callback> is optional: if it is missing, then the
1040embedded event loop will be managed automatically (which is recommended),
1041otherwise you have to invoke C<sweep> yourself.
1042
1043The C<embed_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
1044
1045=back
1046
1047=head3 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop
1048
1049Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly, as perl
1050neither supports threads nor direct access to signal handlers or other
1051contexts where they could be of value.
1052
1053It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level.
1054
1055Please see the libev documentation for further details.
1056
1057=over 4
1058
1059=item $w = EV::async $callback
1060
1061=item $w = EV::async_ns $callback
1062
1063=item $w->send
1064
1065=item $bool = $w->async_pending
1066
1067=back
1068
1069
1070=head1 PERL SIGNALS
1071
1072While Perl signal handling (C<%SIG>) is not affected by EV, the behaviour
1073with EV is as the same as any other C library: Perl-signals will only be
1074handled when Perl runs, which means your signal handler might be invoked
1075only the next time an event callback is invoked.
1076
1077The solution is to use EV signal watchers (see C<EV::signal>), which will
1078ensure proper operations with regards to other event watchers.
1079
1080If you cannot do this for whatever reason, you can also force a watcher
1081to be called on every event loop iteration by installing a C<EV::check>
1082watcher:
1083
1084 my $async_check = EV::check sub { };
1085
1086This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any
1087pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation.
1088
529=head1 THREADS 1089=head1 THREADS
530 1090
531Threads are not supported by this in any way. Perl pseudo-threads is evil 1091Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads
532stuff and must die. 1092is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work
1093on thread support for it.
1094
1095=head1 FORK
1096
1097Most of the "improved" event delivering mechanisms of modern operating
1098systems have quite a few problems with fork(2) (to put it bluntly: it is
1099not supported and usually destructive). Libev makes it possible to work
1100around this by having a function that recreates the kernel state after
1101fork in the child.
1102
1103On non-win32 platforms, this module requires the pthread_atfork
1104functionality to do this automatically for you. This function is quite
1105buggy on most BSDs, though, so YMMV. The overhead for this is quite
1106negligible, because everything the function currently does is set a flag
1107that is checked only when the event loop gets used the next time, so when
1108you do fork but not use EV, the overhead is minimal.
1109
1110On win32, there is no notion of fork so all this doesn't apply, of course.
533 1111
534=cut 1112=cut
535 1113
536our $DIED = sub { 1114our $DIED = sub {
537 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@"; 1115 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@";
538}; 1116};
539 1117
540default_loop 1118default_loop
541 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_METHODS}?'; 1119 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_FLAGS}?';
542 1120
5431; 11211;
544 1122
545=head1 SEE ALSO 1123=head1 SEE ALSO
546 1124
547 L<EV::DNS>, L<EV::AnyEvent>. 1125L<EV::ADNS> (asynchronous DNS), L<Glib::EV> (makes Glib/Gtk2 use EV as
1126event loop), L<EV::Glib> (embed Glib into EV), L<Coro::EV> (efficient
1127coroutines with EV), L<Net::SNMP::EV> (asynchronous SNMP), L<AnyEvent> for
1128event-loop agnostic and portable event driven programming.
548 1129
549=head1 AUTHOR 1130=head1 AUTHOR
550 1131
551 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1132 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
552 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1133 http://home.schmorp.de/
553 1134
554=cut 1135=cut
555 1136

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