ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/EV/README
(Generate patch)

Comparing EV/README (file contents):
Revision 1.20 by root, Sat Dec 22 12:05:42 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.23 by root, Sat Mar 8 16:00:07 2008 UTC

2 EV - perl interface to libev, a high performance full-featured event 2 EV - perl interface to libev, a high performance full-featured event
3 loop 3 loop
4 4
5SYNOPSIS 5SYNOPSIS
6 use EV; 6 use EV;
7 7
8 # TIMERS 8 # TIMERS
9 9
10 my $w = EV::timer 2, 0, sub { 10 my $w = EV::timer 2, 0, sub {
11 warn "is called after 2s"; 11 warn "is called after 2s";
12 }; 12 };
13 13
14 my $w = EV::timer 2, 2, sub { 14 my $w = EV::timer 2, 2, sub {
15 warn "is called roughly every 2s (repeat = 2)"; 15 warn "is called roughly every 2s (repeat = 2)";
16 }; 16 };
17 17
18 undef $w; # destroy event watcher again 18 undef $w; # destroy event watcher again
19 19
20 my $w = EV::periodic 0, 60, 0, sub { 20 my $w = EV::periodic 0, 60, 0, sub {
21 warn "is called every minute, on the minute, exactly"; 21 warn "is called every minute, on the minute, exactly";
22 }; 22 };
23
24 # IO 23
25 24 # IO
25
26 my $w = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub { 26 my $w = EV::io *STDIN, EV::READ, sub {
27 my ($w, $revents) = @_; # all callbacks receive the watcher and event mask 27 my ($w, $revents) = @_; # all callbacks receive the watcher and event mask
28 warn "stdin is readable, you entered: ", <STDIN>; 28 warn "stdin is readable, you entered: ", <STDIN>;
29 }; 29 };
30 30
31 # SIGNALS 31 # SIGNALS
32 32
33 my $w = EV::signal 'QUIT', sub { 33 my $w = EV::signal 'QUIT', sub {
34 warn "sigquit received\n"; 34 warn "sigquit received\n";
35 }; 35 };
36 36
37 # CHILD/PID STATUS CHANGES 37 # CHILD/PID STATUS CHANGES
38 38
39 my $w = EV::child 666, sub { 39 my $w = EV::child 666, 0, sub {
40 my ($w, $revents) = @_; 40 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
41 my $status = $w->rstatus; 41 my $status = $w->rstatus;
42 }; 42 };
43 43
44 # STAT CHANGES 44 # STAT CHANGES
45 my $w = EV::stat "/etc/passwd", 10, sub { 45 my $w = EV::stat "/etc/passwd", 10, sub {
46 my ($w, $revents) = @_; 46 my ($w, $revents) = @_;
47 warn $w->path, " has changed somehow.\n"; 47 warn $w->path, " has changed somehow.\n";
48 }; 48 };
49 49
50 # MAINLOOP 50 # MAINLOOP
51 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop 51 EV::loop; # loop until EV::unloop is called or all watchers stop
52 EV::loop EV::LOOP_ONESHOT; # block until at least one event could be handled 52 EV::loop EV::LOOP_ONESHOT; # block until at least one event could be handled
53 EV::loop EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK; # try to handle same events, but do not block 53 EV::loop EV::LOOP_NONBLOCK; # try to handle same events, but do not block
54 54
55DESCRIPTION 55DESCRIPTION
72 selecting a working backend (which for example rules out kqueue on most 72 selecting a working backend (which for example rules out kqueue on most
73 BSDs). Modules should, unless they have "special needs" always use the 73 BSDs). Modules should, unless they have "special needs" always use the
74 default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other 74 default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other
75 modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop. 75 modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop.
76 76
77 For specific programs you cna create additional event loops dynamically. 77 For specific programs you can create additional event loops dynamically.
78 78
79 $loop = new EV::loop [$flags] 79 $loop = new EV::loop [$flags]
80 Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to 80 Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to
81 the "ev_loop_new ()" function description in the libev documentation 81 the "ev_loop_new ()" function description in the libev documentation
82 (<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTI 82 (<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTI
92 Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or 92 Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or
93 continuing the event loop. An alternative is to use 93 continuing the event loop. An alternative is to use
94 "EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK" which calls this fucntion automatically, at 94 "EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK" which calls this fucntion automatically, at
95 some performance loss (refer to the libev documentation). 95 some performance loss (refer to the libev documentation).
96 96
97 $loop = EV::default_loop [$flags]
98 Return the default loop (which is a singleton object).
99
97BASIC INTERFACE 100BASIC INTERFACE
98 $EV::DIED 101 $EV::DIED
99 Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a 102 Must contain a reference to a function that is called when a
100 callback throws an exception (with $@ containing the error). The 103 callback throws an exception (with $@ containing the error). The
101 default prints an informative message and continues. 104 default prints an informative message and continues.
102 105
103 If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored. 106 If this callback throws an exception it will be silently ignored.
107
108 $flags = EV::supported_backends
109 $flags = EV::recommended_backends
110 $flags = EV::embeddable_backends
111 Returns the set (see "EV::BACKEND_*" flags) of backends supported by
112 this instance of EV, the set of recommended backends (supposed to be
113 good) for this platform and the set of embeddable backends (see
114 EMBED WATCHERS).
115
116 EV::sleep $seconds
117 Block the process for the given number of (fractional) seconds.
104 118
105 $time = EV::time 119 $time = EV::time
106 Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch. 120 Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch.
107 121
108 $time = EV::now 122 $time = EV::now
171 descriptor $fd. 185 descriptor $fd.
172 186
173 EV::feed_signal_event ($signal) 187 EV::feed_signal_event ($signal)
174 Feed a signal event into EV. EV will react to this call as if the 188 Feed a signal event into EV. EV will react to this call as if the
175 signal specified by $signal had occured. 189 signal specified by $signal had occured.
190
191 EV::set_io_collect_interval $time
192 $loop->set_io_collect_interval ($time)
193 EV::set_timeout_collect_interval $time
194 $loop->set_timeout_collect_interval ($time)
195 These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling
196 for I/O events and the minimum wait interval for timer events. See
197 the libev documentation at
198 <http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONT
199 ROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP> for a more detailed discussion.
176 200
177WATCHER OBJECTS 201WATCHER OBJECTS
178 A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some 202 A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some
179 event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, 203 event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable,
180 you would create an EV::io watcher for that: 204 you would create an EV::io watcher for that:
390 changed by explicit date -s or other means such as ntpd). It is also 414 changed by explicit date -s or other means such as ntpd). It is also
391 the most complex watcher type in EV. 415 the most complex watcher type in EV.
392 416
393 It has three distinct "modes": 417 It has three distinct "modes":
394 418
395 * absolute timer ($interval = $reschedule_cb = 0) 419 * absolute timer ($interval = $reschedule_cb = 0)
420
396 This time simply fires at the wallclock time $at and doesn't 421 This time simply fires at the wallclock time $at and doesn't
397 repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if 422 repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, that is, if
398 it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 423 it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the
399 system time reaches or surpasses this time. 424 system time reaches or surpasses this time.
400 425
401 * non-repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0) 426 * repeating interval timer ($interval > 0, $reschedule_cb = 0)
427
402 In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at 428 In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at
403 the next "$at + N * $interval" time (for some integer N) and 429 the next "$at + N * $interval" time (for some integer N) and
404 then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 430 then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
405 431
406 This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect 432 This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect
415 Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) 441 Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined)
416 is that EV::periodic will try to run the callback in this mode 442 is that EV::periodic will try to run the callback in this mode
417 at the next possible time where "$time = $at (mod $interval)", 443 at the next possible time where "$time = $at (mod $interval)",
418 regardless of any time jumps. 444 regardless of any time jumps.
419 445
420 * manual reschedule mode ($reschedule_cb = coderef) 446 * manual reschedule mode ($reschedule_cb = coderef)
447
421 In this mode $interval and $at are both being ignored. Instead, 448 In this mode $interval and $at are both being ignored. Instead,
422 each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the reschedule 449 each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the reschedule
423 callback ($reschedule_cb) will be called with the watcher as 450 callback ($reschedule_cb) will be called with the watcher as
424 first, and the current time as second argument. 451 first, and the current time as second argument.
425 452
486 $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal) 513 $old_signum = $w->signal ($new_signal)
487 Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and 514 Returns the previously set signal (always as a number not name) and
488 optionally set a new one. 515 optionally set a new one.
489 516
490 CHILD WATCHERS - watch out for process status changes 517 CHILD WATCHERS - watch out for process status changes
491 $w = EV::child $pid, $callback 518 $w = EV::child $pid, $trace, $callback
492 $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $callback 519 $w = EV::child_ns $pid, $trace, $callback
493 $w = $loop->child ($pid, $callback) 520 $w = $loop->child ($pid, $trace, $callback)
494 $w = $loop->child_ns ($pid, $callback) 521 $w = $loop->child_ns ($pid, $trace, $callback)
495 Call the callback when a status change for pid $pid (or any pid if 522 Call the callback when a status change for pid $pid (or any pid if
496 $pid is 0) has been received. More precisely: when the process 523 $pid is 0) has been received (a status change happens when the
524 process terminates or is killed, or, when trace is true,
525 additionally when it is stopped or continued). More precisely: when
497 receives a "SIGCHLD", EV will fetch the outstanding exit/wait status 526 the process receives a "SIGCHLD", EV will fetch the outstanding
498 for all changed/zombie children and call the callback. 527 exit/wait status for all changed/zombie children and call the
528 callback.
499 529
500 It is valid (and fully supported) to install a child watcher after a 530 It is valid (and fully supported) to install a child watcher after a
501 child has exited but before the event loop has started its next 531 child has exited but before the event loop has started its next
502 iteration (for example, first you "fork", then the new child process 532 iteration (for example, first you "fork", then the new child process
503 might exit, and only then do you install a child watcher in the 533 might exit, and only then do you install a child watcher in the
510 be called. 540 be called.
511 541
512 The "child_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created 542 The "child_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created
513 watcher. 543 watcher.
514 544
515 $w->set ($pid) 545 $w->set ($pid, $trace)
516 Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can 546 Reconfigures the watcher, see the constructor above for details. Can
517 be called at any time. 547 be called at any time.
518 548
519 $current_pid = $w->pid 549 $current_pid = $w->pid
520 $old_pid = $w->pid ($new_pid)
521 Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one. 550 Returns the previously set process id and optionally set a new one.
522 551
523 $exit_status = $w->rstatus 552 $exit_status = $w->rstatus
524 Return the exit/wait status (as returned by waitpid, see the waitpid 553 Return the exit/wait status (as returned by waitpid, see the waitpid
525 entry in perlfunc). 554 entry in perlfunc).
708 process after a fork. 737 process after a fork.
709 738
710 The "fork_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created 739 The "fork_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created
711 watcher. 740 watcher.
712 741
742 EMBED WATCHERS - when one backend isn't enough...
743 This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event
744 loop into another (currently only IO events are supported in the
745 embedded loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or
746 incorrect fashion and must not be used).
747
748 See the libev documentation at
749 <http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#code_ev_embed_code
750 _when_one_backend_> for more details.
751
752 In short, this watcher is most useful on BSD systems without working
753 kqueue to still be able to handle a large number of sockets:
754
755 my $socket_loop;
756
757 # check wether we use SELECT or POLL _and_ KQUEUE is supported
758 if (
759 (EV::backend & (EV::BACKEND_POLL | EV::BACKEND_SELECT))
760 && (EV::supported_backends & EV::embeddable_backends & EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE)
761 ) {
762 # use kqueue for sockets
763 $socket_loop = new EV::Loop EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE | EV::FLAG_NOENV;
764 }
765
766 # use the default loop otherwise
767 $socket_loop ||= EV::default_loop;
768
769 $w = EV::embed $otherloop, $callback
770 $w = EV::embed_ns $otherloop, $callback
771 $w = $loop->embed ($otherloop, $callback)
772 $w = $loop->embed_ns ($otherloop, $callback)
773 Call the callback when the embedded event loop ($otherloop) has any
774 I/O activity. The $callback should alwas be specified as "undef" in
775 this version of EV, which means the embedded event loop will be
776 managed automatically.
777
778 The "embed_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created
779 watcher.
780
781 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop
782 Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly,
783 as perl neither supports threads nor direct access to signal handlers or
784 other contexts where they could be of value.
785
786 It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level.
787
788 Please see the libev documentation for further details.
789
713PERL SIGNALS 790PERL SIGNALS
714 While Perl signal handling (%SIG) is not affected by EV, the behaviour 791 While Perl signal handling (%SIG) is not affected by EV, the behaviour
715 with EV is as the same as any other C library: Perl-signals will only be 792 with EV is as the same as any other C library: Perl-signals will only be
716 handled when Perl runs, which means your signal handler might be invoked 793 handled when Perl runs, which means your signal handler might be invoked
717 only the next time an event callback is invoked. 794 only the next time an event callback is invoked.

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines