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Revision 1.46 by root, Fri Nov 23 05:00:44 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.73 by root, Fri Dec 21 05:10:01 2007 UTC

39 39
40 my $w = EV::child 666, sub { 40 my $w = EV::child 666, sub {
41 my ($w, $revents) = @_; 41 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
42 my $status = $w->rstatus; 42 my $status = $w->rstatus;
43 }; 43 };
44
45 # STAT CHANGES
46 my $w = EV::stat "/etc/passwd", 10, sub {
47 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
48 warn $w->path, " has changed somehow.\n";
49 };
44 50
45 # MAINLOOP 51 # MAINLOOP
46 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop 52 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop
47 EV::loop EV::LOOP_ONESHOT; # block until at least one event could be handled 53 EV::loop EV::LOOP_ONESHOT; # block until at least one event could be handled
48 EV::loop EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK; # try to handle same events, but do not block 54 EV::loop EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK; # try to handle same events, but do not block
49 55
50=head1 DESCRIPTION 56=head1 DESCRIPTION
51 57
52This module provides an interface to libev 58This module provides an interface to libev
53(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). 59(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). While the documentation
60below is comprehensive, one might also consult the documentation of libev
61itself (L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>) for more subtle details on
62watcher semantics or some discussion on the available backends, or how to
63force a specific backend with C<LIBEV_FLAGS>, or just about in any case
64because it has much more detailed information.
54 65
55=cut 66=cut
56 67
57package EV; 68package EV;
58 69
59use strict; 70use strict;
60 71
61BEGIN { 72BEGIN {
62 our $VERSION = '1.2'; 73 our $VERSION = '2.0';
63 use XSLoader; 74 use XSLoader;
64 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION; 75 XSLoader::load "EV", $VERSION;
65} 76}
66 77
67@EV::Io::ISA = 78@EV::IO::ISA =
68@EV::Timer::ISA = 79@EV::Timer::ISA =
69@EV::Periodic::ISA = 80@EV::Periodic::ISA =
70@EV::Signal::ISA = 81@EV::Signal::ISA =
82@EV::Child::ISA =
83@EV::Stat::ISA =
71@EV::Idle::ISA = 84@EV::Idle::ISA =
72@EV::Prepare::ISA = 85@EV::Prepare::ISA =
73@EV::Check::ISA = 86@EV::Check::ISA =
74@EV::Child::ISA = "EV::Watcher"; 87@EV::Embed::ISA =
88@EV::Fork::ISA =
89 "EV::Watcher";
90
91@EV::Loop::Default::ISA = "EV::Loop";
92
93=head1 EVENT LOOPS
94
95EV supports multiple event loops: There is a single "default event loop"
96that can handle everything including signals and child watchers, and any
97number of "dynamic event loops" that can use different backends (with
98various limitations), but no child and signal watchers.
99
100You do not have to do anything to create the default event loop: When
101the module is loaded a suitable backend is selected on the premise of
102selecting a working backend (which for example rules out kqueue on most
103BSDs). Modules should, unless they have "special needs" always use the
104default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other
105modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop.
106
107For specific programs you cna create additional event loops dynamically.
108
109=over 4
110
111=item $loop = new EV::loop [$flags]
112
113Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to the
114C<ev_loop_new ()> function description in the libev documentation
115(L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS>)
116for more info.
117
118The loop will automatically be destroyed when it is no longer referenced
119by any watcher and the loop object goes out of scope.
120
121Using C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK> is recommended, as only the default event loop
122is protected by this module.
123
124=item $loop->loop_fork
125
126Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or continuing
127the event loop. An alternative is to use C<EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK> which calls
128this fucntion automatically, at some performance loss (refer to the libev
129documentation).
130
131=back
132
75 133
76=head1 BASIC INTERFACE 134=head1 BASIC INTERFACE
77 135
78=over 4 136=over 4
79 137
80=item $EV::DIED 138=item $EV::DIED
81 139
82Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback 140Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a callback
83throws an exception (with $@ containing thr error). The default prints an 141throws an exception (with $@ containing the error). The default prints an
84informative message and continues. 142informative message and continues.
85 143
86If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored. 144If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored.
87 145
88=item $time = EV::time 146=item $time = EV::time
89 147
90Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch. 148Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch.
91 149
92=item $time = EV::now 150=item $time = EV::now
151
152=item $time = $loop->now
93 153
94Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. This 154Returns 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 155is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and refering to it is
96usually faster then calling EV::time. 156usually faster then calling EV::time.
97 157
98=item $method = EV::method 158=item $backend = EV::backend
159
160=item $backend = $loop->backend
99 161
100Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT 162Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev (EV::METHOD_SELECT
101or EV::METHOD_EPOLL). 163or EV::METHOD_EPOLL).
102 164
103=item EV::loop [$flags] 165=item EV::loop [$flags]
166
167=item $loop->loop ([$flags])
104 168
105Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a 169Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a
106callback calls EV::unloop. 170callback calls EV::unloop.
107 171
108The $flags argument can be one of the following: 172The $flags argument can be one of the following:
111 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop) 175 EV::LOOP_ONESHOT block at most once (wait, but do not loop)
112 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait) 176 EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK do not block at all (fetch/handle events but do not wait)
113 177
114=item EV::unloop [$how] 178=item EV::unloop [$how]
115 179
180=item $loop->unloop ([$how])
181
116When called with no arguments or an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ONE, makes the 182When called with no arguments or an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ONE, makes the
117innermost call to EV::loop return. 183innermost call to EV::loop return.
118 184
119When called with an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ALL, all calls to EV::loop will return as 185When called with an argument of EV::UNLOOP_ALL, all calls to EV::loop will return as
120fast as possible. 186fast as possible.
121 187
122=back 188=item $count = EV::loop_count
123 189
124=head2 WATCHER 190=item $count = $loop->loop_count
191
192Return the number of times the event loop has polled for new
193events. Sometiems useful as a generation counter.
194
195=item EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents)
196
197=item $loop->once ($fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents))
198
199This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single
200one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object.
201
202If C<$fh_or_undef> is a filehandle or file descriptor, then C<$events>
203must be a bitset containing either C<EV::READ>, C<EV::WRITE> or C<EV::READ
204| EV::WRITE>, indicating the type of I/O event you want to wait for. If
205you do not want to wait for some I/O event, specify C<undef> for
206C<$fh_or_undef> and C<0> for C<$events>).
207
208If timeout is C<undef> or negative, then there will be no
209timeout. Otherwise a EV::timer with this value will be started.
210
211When an error occurs or either the timeout or I/O watcher triggers, then
212the callback will be called with the received event set (in general
213you can expect it to be a combination of C<EV:ERROR>, C<EV::READ>,
214C<EV::WRITE> and C<EV::TIMEOUT>).
215
216EV::once doesn't return anything: the watchers stay active till either
217of them triggers, then they will be stopped and freed, and the callback
218invoked.
219
220=item EV::feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
221
222=item $loop->feed_fd_event ($fd, $revents)
223
224Feed an event on a file descriptor into EV. EV will react to this call as
225if the readyness notifications specified by C<$revents> (a combination of
226C<EV::READ> and C<EV::WRITE>) happened on the file descriptor C<$fd>.
227
228=item EV::feed_signal_event ($signal)
229
230Feed a signal event into EV. EV will react to this call as if the signal
231specified by C<$signal> had occured.
232
233=back
234
235
236=head1 WATCHER OBJECTS
125 237
126A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some 238A 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 239event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, you
128would create an EV::io watcher for that: 240would create an EV::io watcher for that:
129 241
138events. 250events.
139 251
140Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the 252Each 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 253same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the
142type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE, 254type, 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 255EV::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 256(which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer (which
145uses EV::TIMEOUT). 257uses EV::TIMEOUT).
146 258
147In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at 259In 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 260the same time, each constructor has a variant with a trailing C<_ns> in
154 266
155Also, all methods changing some aspect of a watcher (->set, ->priority, 267Also, 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, 268->fh and so on) automatically stop and start it again if it is active,
157which means pending events get lost. 269which means pending events get lost.
158 270
159=head2 WATCHER TYPES 271=head2 COMMON WATCHER METHODS
160 272
161Now lets move to the existing watcher types and asociated methods. 273This 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).
167 274
168=over 4 275=over 4
169 276
170=item $w->start 277=item $w->start
171 278
175 282
176=item $w->stop 283=item $w->stop
177 284
178Stop a watcher if it is active. Also clear any pending events (events that 285Stop 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), 286have been received but that didn't yet result in a callback invocation),
180regardless of wether the watcher was active or not. 287regardless of whether the watcher was active or not.
181 288
182=item $bool = $w->is_active 289=item $bool = $w->is_active
183 290
184Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise. 291Returns true if the watcher is active, false otherwise.
185 292
210watchers with higher priority will be invoked first. The valid range of 317watchers with higher priority will be invoked first. The valid range of
211priorities lies between EV::MAXPRI (default 2) and EV::MINPRI (default 318priorities lies between EV::MAXPRI (default 2) and EV::MINPRI (default
212-2). If the priority is outside this range it will automatically be 319-2). If the priority is outside this range it will automatically be
213normalised to the nearest valid priority. 320normalised to the nearest valid priority.
214 321
215The default priority of any newly-created weatcher is 0. 322The default priority of any newly-created watcher is 0.
216 323
324Note that the priority semantics have not yet been fleshed out and are
325subject to almost certain change.
326
217=item $w->trigger ($revents) 327=item $w->invoke ($revents)
218 328
219Call the callback *now* with the given event mask. 329Call the callback *now* with the given event mask.
220 330
331=item $w->feed_event ($revents)
332
333Feed some events on this watcher into EV. EV will react to this call as if
334the watcher had received the given C<$revents> mask.
335
336=item $revents = $w->clear_pending
337
338If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status
339and returns its C<$revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
340watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
341
342=item $previous_state = $w->keepalive ($bool)
343
344Normally, C<EV::loop> will return when there are no active watchers
345(which is a "deadlock" because no progress can be made anymore). This is
346convinient because it allows you to start your watchers (and your jobs),
347call C<EV::loop> once and when it returns you know that all your jobs are
348finished (or they forgot to register some watchers for their task :).
349
350Sometimes, however, this gets in your way, for example when you the module
351that calls C<EV::loop> (usually the main program) is not the same module
352as a long-living watcher (for example a DNS client module written by
353somebody else even). Then you might want any outstanding requests to be
354handled, but you would not want to keep C<EV::loop> from returning just
355because you happen to have this long-running UDP port watcher.
356
357In this case you can clear the keepalive status, which means that even
358though your watcher is active, it won't keep C<EV::loop> from returning.
359
360The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you cna change it
361any time.
362
363Example: Register an I/O watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep the
364event loop from running just because of that watcher.
365
366 my $udp_socket = ...
367 my $udp_watcher = EV::io $udp_socket, EV::READ, sub { ... };
368 $udp_watcher->keepalive (0);
369
370=back
371
372
373=head1 WATCHER TYPES
374
375Each of the following subsections describes a single watcher type.
376
377=head3 I/O WATCHERS - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
378
379=over 4
221 380
222=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 381=item $w = EV::io $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
223 382
224=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback 383=item $w = EV::io_ns $fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback
225 384
385=item $w = $loop->io 8$fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
386
387=item $w = $loop->io_ns ($fileno_or_fh, $eventmask, $callback)
388
226As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback> 389As long as the returned watcher object is alive, call the C<$callback>
227when the events specified in C<$eventmask>. 390when at least one of events specified in C<$eventmask> occurs.
228 391
229The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together: 392The $eventmask can be one or more of these constants ORed together:
230 393
231 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore 394 EV::READ wait until read() wouldn't block anymore
232 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore 395 EV::WRITE wait until write() wouldn't block anymore
248 411
249=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask) 412=item $old_eventmask = $w->events ($new_eventmask)
250 413
251Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one. 414Returns the previously set event mask and optionally set a new one.
252 415
416=back
417
418
419=head3 TIMER WATCHERS - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
420
421=over 4
253 422
254=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback 423=item $w = EV::timer $after, $repeat, $callback
255 424
256=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback 425=item $w = EV::timer_ns $after, $repeat, $callback
257 426
258Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds. If C<$repeat> is non-zero, 427=item $w = $loop->timer ($after, $repeat, $callback)
259the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat value as $after) after the 428
260callback returns. 429=item $w = $loop->timer_ns ($after, $repeat, $callback)
430
431Calls the callback after C<$after> seconds (which may be fractional). If
432C<$repeat> is non-zero, the timer will be restarted (with the $repeat
433value as $after) after the callback returns.
261 434
262This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after> 435This means that the callback would be called roughly after C<$after>
263seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. The timer does his best not 436seconds, and then every C<$repeat> seconds. The timer does his best not
264to drift, but it will not invoke the timer more often then once per event 437to drift, but it will not invoke the timer more often then once per event
265loop iteration, and might drift in other cases. If that isn't acceptable, 438loop iteration, and might drift in other cases. If that isn't acceptable,
271 444
272The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 445The C<timer_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
273 446
274=item $w->set ($after, $repeat) 447=item $w->set ($after, $repeat)
275 448
276Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 449Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
277any time. 450any time.
278 451
279=item $w->again 452=item $w->again
280 453
281Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers: 454Similar to the C<start> method, but has special semantics for repeating timers:
292This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO 465This behaviour is useful when you have a timeout for some IO
293operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and 466operation. You create a timer object with the same value for C<$after> and
294C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method 467C<$repeat>, and then, in the read/write watcher, run the C<again> method
295on the timeout. 468on the timeout.
296 469
470=back
471
472
473=head3 PERIODIC WATCHERS - to cron or not to cron?
474
475=over 4
297 476
298=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback 477=item $w = EV::periodic $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
299 478
300=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback 479=item $w = EV::periodic_ns $at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback
480
481=item $w = $loop->periodic ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
482
483=item $w = $loop->periodic_ns ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb, $callback)
301 484
302Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on 485Similar to EV::timer, but is not based on relative timeouts but on
303absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the 486absolute times. Apart from creating "simple" timers that trigger "at" the
304specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and 487specified time, it can also be used for non-drifting absolute timers and
305more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time 488more complex, cron-like, setups that are not adversely affected by time
373 556
374The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 557The C<periodic_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
375 558
376=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb) 559=item $w->set ($at, $interval, $reschedule_cb)
377 560
378Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 561Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
379any time. 562any time.
380 563
381=item $w->again 564=item $w->again
382 565
383Simply stops and starts the watcher again. 566Simply stops and starts the watcher again.
384 567
568=item $time = $w->at
569
570Return the time that the watcher is expected to trigger next.
571
572=back
573
574
575=head3 SIGNAL WATCHERS - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
576
577=over 4
385 578
386=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback 579=item $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback
387 580
388=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback 581=item $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback
389 582
390Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified 583Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be specified by
391by number or by name, just as with kill or %SIG). 584number or by name, just as with C<kill> or C<%SIG>).
392 585
393EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one 586EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one
394component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher, 587component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal watcher,
395and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you 588and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same when you
396add/remove callbacks to %SIG, so watch out. 589add/remove callbacks to C<%SIG>, so watch out.
397 590
398You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want. 591You can have as many signal watchers per signal as you want.
399 592
400The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 593The C<signal_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
401 594
402=item $w->set ($signal) 595=item $w->set ($signal)
403 596
404Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 597Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
405any time. 598called at any time.
406 599
407=item $current_signum = $w->signal 600=item $current_signum = $w->signal
408 601
409=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal) 602=item $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal)
410 603
411Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and 604Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and
412optionally set a new one. 605optionally set a new one.
413 606
607=back
608
609
610=head3 CHILD WATCHERS - watch out for process status changes
611
612=over 4
414 613
415=item $w = EV::child $pid, $callback 614=item $w = EV::child $pid, $callback
416 615
417=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $callback 616=item $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $callback
418 617
618=item $w = $loop->child ($pid, $callback)
619
620=item $w = $loop->child_ns ($pid, $callback)
621
419Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid 622Call the callback when a status change for pid C<$pid> (or any pid if
420if C<$pid> is 0) has been received. More precisely: when the process 623C<$pid> is 0) has been received. More precisely: when the process receives
421receives a SIGCHLD, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all 624a C<SIGCHLD>, EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status for all
422changed/zombie children and call the callback. 625changed/zombie children and call the callback.
423 626
424You can access both status and pid by using the C<rstatus> and C<rpid> 627It is valid (and fully supported) to install a child watcher after a child
425methods on the watcher object. 628has exited but before the event loop has started its next iteration (for
629example, first you C<fork>, then the new child process might exit, and
630only then do you install a child watcher in the parent for the new pid).
426 631
632You can access both exit (or tracing) status and pid by using the
633C<rstatus> and C<rpid> methods on the watcher object.
634
427You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want. 635You can have as many pid watchers per pid as you want, they will all be
636called.
428 637
429The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 638The C<child_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
430 639
431=item $w->set ($pid) 640=item $w->set ($pid)
432 641
433Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be at 642Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be called at
434any time. 643any time.
435 644
436=item $current_pid = $w->pid 645=item $current_pid = $w->pid
437 646
438=item $old_pid = $w->pid ($new_pid) 647=item $old_pid = $w->pid ($new_pid)
447=item $pid = $w->rpid 656=item $pid = $w->rpid
448 657
449Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a 658Return the pid of the awaited child (useful when you have installed a
450watcher for all pids). 659watcher for all pids).
451 660
661=back
662
663
664=head3 STAT WATCHERS - did the file attributes just change?
665
666=over 4
667
668=item $w = EV::stat $path, $interval, $callback
669
670=item $w = EV::stat_ns $path, $interval, $callback
671
672=item $w = $loop->stat ($path, $interval, $callback)
673
674=item $w = $loop->stat_ns ($path, $interval, $callback)
675
676Call the callback when a file status change has been detected on
677C<$path>. The C<$path> does not need to exist, changing from "path exists"
678to "path does not exist" is a status change like any other.
679
680The C<$interval> is a recommended polling interval for systems where
681OS-supported change notifications don't exist or are not supported. If
682you use C<0> then an unspecified default is used (which is highly
683recommended!), which is to be expected to be around five seconds usually.
684
685This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
686as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
687resource-intensive.
688
689The C<stat_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
690
691=item ... = $w->stat
692
693This call is very similar to the perl C<stat> built-in: It stats (using
694C<lstat>) the path specified in the watcher and sets perls stat cache (as
695well as EV's idea of the current stat values) to the values found.
696
697In scalar context, a boolean is return indicating success or failure of
698the stat. In list context, the same 13-value list as with stat is returned
699(except that the blksize and blocks fields are not reliable).
700
701In the case of an error, errno is set to C<ENOENT> (regardless of the
702actual error value) and the C<nlink> value is forced to zero (if the stat
703was successful then nlink is guaranteed to be non-zero).
704
705See also the next two entries for more info.
706
707=item ... = $w->attr
708
709Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
710the values most recently detected by EV. See the next entry for more info.
711
712=item ... = $w->prev
713
714Just like C<< $w->stat >>, but without the initial stat'ing: this returns
715the previous set of values, before the change.
716
717That is, when the watcher callback is invoked, C<< $w->prev >> will be set
718to the values found I<before> a change was detected, while C<< $w->attr >>
719returns the values found leading to the change detection. The difference (if any)
720between C<prev> and C<attr> is what triggered the callback.
721
722If you did something to the filesystem object and do not want to trigger
723yet another change, you can call C<stat> to update EV's idea of what the
724current attributes are.
725
726=item $w->set ($path, $interval)
727
728Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can be
729called at any time.
730
731=item $current_path = $w->path
732
733=item $old_path = $w->path ($new_path)
734
735Returns the previously set path and optionally set a new one.
736
737=item $current_interval = $w->interval
738
739=item $old_interval = $w->interval ($new_interval)
740
741Returns the previously set interval and optionally set a new one. Can be
742used to query the actual interval used.
743
744=back
745
746
747=head3 IDLE WATCHERS - when you've got nothing better to do...
748
749=over 4
452 750
453=item $w = EV::idle $callback 751=item $w = EV::idle $callback
454 752
455=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback 753=item $w = EV::idle_ns $callback
456 754
457Call the callback when there are no pending io, timer/periodic, signal or 755=item $w = $loop->idle ($callback)
458child events, i.e. when the process is idle. 756
757=item $w = $loop->idle_ns ($callback)
758
759Call the callback when there are no other pending watchers of the same or
760higher priority (excluding check, prepare and other idle watchers of the
761same or lower priority, of course). They are called idle watchers because
762when the watcher is the highest priority pending event in the process, the
763process is considered to be idle at that priority.
764
765If you want a watcher that is only ever called when I<no> other events are
766outstanding you have to set the priority to C<EV::MINPRI>.
459 767
460The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and 768The process will not block as long as any idle watchers are active, and
461they will be called repeatedly until stopped. 769they will be called repeatedly until stopped.
462 770
771For example, if you have idle watchers at priority C<0> and C<1>, and
772an I/O watcher at priority C<0>, then the idle watcher at priority C<1>
773and the I/O watcher will always run when ready. Only when the idle watcher
774at priority C<1> is stopped and the I/O watcher at priority C<0> is not
775pending with the C<0>-priority idle watcher be invoked.
776
463The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 777The C<idle_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
464 778
779=back
780
781
782=head3 PREPARE WATCHERS - customise your event loop!
783
784=over 4
465 785
466=item $w = EV::prepare $callback 786=item $w = EV::prepare $callback
467 787
468=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback 788=item $w = EV::prepare_ns $callback
789
790=item $w = $loop->prepare ($callback)
791
792=item $w = $loop->prepare_ns 8$callback)
469 793
470Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still 794Call the callback just before the process would block. You can still
471create/modify any watchers at this point. 795create/modify any watchers at this point.
472 796
473See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example. 797See the EV::check watcher, below, for explanations and an example.
474 798
475The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 799The C<prepare_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
476 800
801=back
802
803
804=head3 CHECK WATCHERS - customise your event loop even more!
805
806=over 4
477 807
478=item $w = EV::check $callback 808=item $w = EV::check $callback
479 809
480=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback 810=item $w = EV::check_ns $callback
811
812=item $w = $loop->check ($callback)
813
814=item $w = $loop->check_ns ($callback)
481 815
482Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has 816Call the callback just after the process wakes up again (after it has
483gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked. 817gathered events), but before any other callbacks have been invoked.
484 818
485This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV 819This is used to integrate other event-based software into the EV
495 or return; 829 or return;
496 830
497 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff 831 # make the dispatcher handle any outstanding stuff
498 ... not shown 832 ... not shown
499 833
500 # create an IO watcher for each and every socket 834 # create an I/O watcher for each and every socket
501 @snmp_watcher = ( 835 @snmp_watcher = (
502 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } } 836 (map { EV::io $_, EV::READ, sub { } }
503 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }), 837 keys %{ $dispatcher->{_descriptors} }),
504 838
505 EV::timer +($event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE] 839 EV::timer +($event->[Net::SNMP::Dispatcher::_ACTIVE]
526first). 860first).
527 861
528The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher. 862The C<check_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
529 863
530=back 864=back
865
866
867=head3 FORK WATCHERS - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
868
869Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected. The invocation
870is done before the event loop blocks next and before C<check> watchers
871are being called, and only in the child after the fork.
872
873=over 4
874
875=item $w = EV::fork $callback
876
877=item $w = EV::fork_ns $callback
878
879=item $w = $loop->fork ($callback)
880
881=item $w = $loop->fork_ns ($callback)
882
883Call the callback before the event loop is resumed in the child process
884after a fork.
885
886The C<fork_ns> variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created watcher.
887
888=back
889
890
891=head1 PERL SIGNALS
892
893While Perl signal handling (C<%SIG>) is not affected by EV, the behaviour
894with EV is as the same as any other C library: Perl-signals will only be
895handled when Perl runs, which means your signal handler might be invoked
896only the next time an event callback is invoked.
897
898The solution is to use EV signal watchers (see C<EV::signal>), which will
899ensure proper operations with regards to other event watchers.
900
901If you cannot do this for whatever reason, you can also force a watcher
902to be called on every event loop iteration by installing a C<EV::check>
903watcher:
904
905 my $async_check = EV::check sub { };
906
907This ensures that perl shortly gets into control for a short time, and
908also ensures slower overall operation.
531 909
532=head1 THREADS 910=head1 THREADS
533 911
534Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads 912Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads
535is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work 913is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will work
557our $DIED = sub { 935our $DIED = sub {
558 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@"; 936 warn "EV: error in callback (ignoring): $@";
559}; 937};
560 938
561default_loop 939default_loop
562 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_METHODS}?'; 940 or die 'EV: cannot initialise libev backend. bad $ENV{LIBEV_FLAGS}?';
563 941
5641; 9421;
565 943
566=head1 SEE ALSO 944=head1 SEE ALSO
567 945
568 L<EV::DNS>. 946L<EV::ADNS> (asynchronous DNS), L<Glib::EV> (makes Glib/Gtk2 use EV as
947event loop), L<EV::Glib> (embed Glib into EV), L<Coro::EV> (efficient
948coroutines with EV), L<Net::SNMP::EV> (asynchronous SNMP).
569 949
570=head1 AUTHOR 950=head1 AUTHOR
571 951
572 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 952 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
573 http://home.schmorp.de/ 953 http://home.schmorp.de/

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