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

Comparing EV/README (file contents):
Revision 1.29 by root, Sat Jul 12 22:19:22 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.34 by root, Sun Aug 9 13:30:41 2009 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
23 24 # IO
24 # IO 25
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, 0, 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
56 This module provides an interface to libev 56 This module provides an interface to libev
57 (<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). While the documentation 57 (<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/libev.html>). While the documentation
58 below is comprehensive, one might also consult the documentation of 58 below is comprehensive, one might also consult the documentation of
59 libev itself (<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>) 59 libev itself (<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod> or
60 for more subtle details on watcher semantics or some discussion on the 60 perldoc EV::libev) for more subtle details on watcher semantics or some
61 available backends, or how to force a specific backend with 61 discussion on the available backends, or how to force a specific backend
62 "LIBEV_FLAGS", or just about in any case because it has much more 62 with "LIBEV_FLAGS", or just about in any case because it has much more
63 detailed information. 63 detailed information.
64 64
65 This module is very fast and scalable. It is actually so fast that you 65 This module is very fast and scalable. It is actually so fast that you
66 can use it through the AnyEvent module, stay portable to other event 66 can use it through the AnyEvent module, stay portable to other event
67 loops (if you don't rely on any watcher types not available through it) 67 loops (if you don't rely on any watcher types not available through it)
68 and still be faster than with any other event loop currently supported 68 and still be faster than with any other event loop currently supported
69 in Perl. 69 in Perl.
70
71 MODULE EXPORTS
72 This module does not export any symbols.
70 73
71EVENT LOOPS 74EVENT LOOPS
72 EV supports multiple event loops: There is a single "default event loop" 75 EV supports multiple event loops: There is a single "default event loop"
73 that can handle everything including signals and child watchers, and any 76 that can handle everything including signals and child watchers, and any
74 number of "dynamic event loops" that can use different backends (with 77 number of "dynamic event loops" that can use different backends (with
81 default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other 84 default loop as this is fastest (perl-wise), best supported by other
82 modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop. 85 modules (e.g. AnyEvent or Coro) and most portable event loop.
83 86
84 For specific programs you can create additional event loops dynamically. 87 For specific programs you can create additional event loops dynamically.
85 88
86 If you want to take avdantage of kqueue (which often works properly for 89 If you want to take advantage of kqueue (which often works properly for
87 sockets only) even though the default loop doesn't enable it, you can 90 sockets only) even though the default loop doesn't enable it, you can
88 *embed* a kqueue loop into the default loop: running the default loop 91 *embed* a kqueue loop into the default loop: running the default loop
89 will then also service the kqueue loop to some extent. See the example 92 will then also service the kqueue loop to some extent. See the example
90 in the section about embed watchers for an example on how to achieve 93 in the section about embed watchers for an example on how to achieve
91 that. 94 that.
92 95
93 $loop = new EV::loop [$flags] 96 $loop = new EV::Loop [$flags]
94 Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to 97 Create a new event loop as per the specified flags. Please refer to
95 the "ev_loop_new ()" function description in the libev documentation 98 the "ev_loop_new ()" function description in the libev documentation
96 (<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTI 99 (<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#GLOBAL_FUNCTI
97 ONS>) for more info. 100 ONS>, or locally-installed as EV::libev manpage) for more info.
98 101
99 The loop will automatically be destroyed when it is no longer 102 The loop will automatically be destroyed when it is no longer
100 referenced by any watcher and the loop object goes out of scope. 103 referenced by any watcher and the loop object goes out of scope.
101 104
102 Using "EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK" is recommended, as only the default event 105 If you are not embedding the loop, then Using "EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK"
103 loop is protected by this module. 106 is recommended, as only the default event loop is protected by this
107 module. If you *are* embedding this loop in the default loop, this
108 is not necessary, as "EV::embed" automatically does the right thing
109 on fork.
104 110
105 $loop->loop_fork 111 $loop->loop_fork
106 Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or 112 Must be called after a fork in the child, before entering or
107 continuing the event loop. An alternative is to use 113 continuing the event loop. An alternative is to use
108 "EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK" which calls this function automatically, at 114 "EV::FLAG_FORKCHECK" which calls this function automatically, at
143 Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch. 149 Returns the current time in (fractional) seconds since the epoch.
144 150
145 $time = EV::now 151 $time = EV::now
146 $time = $loop->now 152 $time = $loop->now
147 Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started. 153 Returns the time the last event loop iteration has been started.
148 This is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and refering 154 This is the time that (relative) timers are based on, and referring
149 to it is usually faster then calling EV::time. 155 to it is usually faster then calling EV::time.
156
157 EV::now_update
158 $loop->now_update
159 Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the
160 time returned by "EV::now" in the progress. This is a costly
161 operation and is usually done automatically within "EV::loop".
162
163 This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs
164 for a very long time without entering the event loop, updating
165 libev's idea of the current time is a good idea.
166
167 EV::suspend
168 $loop->suspend
169 EV::resume
170 $loop->resume
171 These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop
172 is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
173
174 A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game:
175 When the user presses "^Z" to suspend the game and resumes it an
176 hour later it would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had
177 actually passed while the program was suspended. This can be
178 achieved by calling "suspend" in your "SIGTSTP" handler, sending
179 yourself a "SIGSTOP" and calling "resume" directly afterwards to
180 resume timer processing.
181
182 Effectively, all "timer" watchers will be delayed by the time spend
183 between "suspend" and "resume", and all "periodic" watchers will be
184 rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
185 occured while suspended).
186
187 After calling "suspend" you must not call *any* function on the
188 given loop other than "resume", and you must not call "resume"
189 without a previous call to "suspend".
190
191 Calling "suspend"/"resume" has the side effect of updating the event
192 loop time (see "now_update").
150 193
151 $backend = EV::backend 194 $backend = EV::backend
152 $backend = $loop->backend 195 $backend = $loop->backend
153 Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev 196 Returns an integer describing the backend used by libev
154 (EV::METHOD_SELECT or EV::METHOD_EPOLL). 197 (EV::BACKEND_SELECT or EV::BACKEND_EPOLL).
155 198
156 EV::loop [$flags] 199 EV::loop [$flags]
157 $loop->loop ([$flags]) 200 $loop->loop ([$flags])
158 Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a 201 Begin checking for events and calling callbacks. It returns when a
159 callback calls EV::unloop. 202 callback calls EV::unloop.
173 EV::loop will return as fast as possible. 216 EV::loop will return as fast as possible.
174 217
175 $count = EV::loop_count 218 $count = EV::loop_count
176 $count = $loop->loop_count 219 $count = $loop->loop_count
177 Return the number of times the event loop has polled for new events. 220 Return the number of times the event loop has polled for new events.
178 Sometiems useful as a generation counter. 221 Sometimes useful as a generation counter.
179 222
180 EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents) 223 EV::once $fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents)
181 $loop->once ($fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents)) 224 $loop->once ($fh_or_undef, $events, $timeout, $cb->($revents))
182 This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single 225 This function rolls together an I/O and a timer watcher for a single
183 one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object. 226 one-shot event without the need for managing a watcher object.
217 $loop->set_timeout_collect_interval ($time) 260 $loop->set_timeout_collect_interval ($time)
218 These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling 261 These advanced functions set the minimum block interval when polling
219 for I/O events and the minimum wait interval for timer events. See 262 for I/O events and the minimum wait interval for timer events. See
220 the libev documentation at 263 the libev documentation at
221 <http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONT 264 <http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#FUNCTIONS_CONT
222 ROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP> for a more detailed discussion. 265 ROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP> (locally installed as EV::libev) for a more
266 detailed discussion.
267
268 $count = EV::pending_count
269 $count = $loop->pending_count
270 Returns the number of currently pending watchers.
271
272 EV::invoke_pending
273 $loop->invoke_pending
274 Invoke all currently pending watchers.
223 275
224WATCHER OBJECTS 276WATCHER OBJECTS
225 A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some 277 A watcher is an object that gets created to record your interest in some
226 event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable, 278 event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to become readable,
227 you would create an EV::io watcher for that: 279 you would create an EV::io watcher for that:
236 will be called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of 288 will be called with at least two arguments: the watcher and a bitmask of
237 received events. 289 received events.
238 290
239 Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the 291 Each watcher type has its associated bit in revents, so you can use the
240 same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the 292 same callback for multiple watchers. The event mask is named after the
241 type, i..e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE, 293 type, i.e. EV::child sets EV::CHILD, EV::prepare sets EV::PREPARE,
242 EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O 294 EV::periodic sets EV::PERIODIC and so on, with the exception of I/O
243 events (which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer 295 events (which can set both EV::READ and EV::WRITE bits), and EV::timer
244 (which uses EV::TIMEOUT). 296 (which uses EV::TIMEOUT).
245 297
246 In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at 298 In the rare case where one wants to create a watcher but not start it at
331 383
332 In this case you can clear the keepalive status, which means that 384 In this case you can clear the keepalive status, which means that
333 even though your watcher is active, it won't keep "EV::loop" from 385 even though your watcher is active, it won't keep "EV::loop" from
334 returning. 386 returning.
335 387
336 The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you cna 388 The initial value for keepalive is true (enabled), and you can
337 change it any time. 389 change it any time.
338 390
339 Example: Register an I/O watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep 391 Example: Register an I/O watcher for some UDP socket but do not keep
340 the event loop from running just because of that watcher. 392 the event loop from running just because of that watcher.
341 393
515 Return the time that the watcher is expected to trigger next. 567 Return the time that the watcher is expected to trigger next.
516 568
517 SIGNAL WATCHERS - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 569 SIGNAL WATCHERS - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
518 $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback 570 $w = EV::signal $signal, $callback
519 $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback 571 $w = EV::signal_ns $signal, $callback
572 $w = $loop->signal ($signal, $callback)
573 $w = $loop->signal_ns ($signal, $callback)
520 Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be 574 Call the callback when $signal is received (the signal can be
521 specified by number or by name, just as with "kill" or %SIG). 575 specified by number or by name, just as with "kill" or %SIG).
576
577 Only one event loop can grab a given signal - attempting to grab the
578 same signal from two EV loops will crash the program immediately or
579 cause data corruption.
522 580
523 EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one 581 EV will grab the signal for the process (the kernel only allows one
524 component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal 582 component to receive a signal at a time) when you start a signal
525 watcher, and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same 583 watcher, and removes it again when you stop it. Perl does the same
526 when you add/remove callbacks to %SIG, so watch out. 584 when you add/remove callbacks to %SIG, so watch out.
741 # make the dispatcher handle any new stuff 799 # make the dispatcher handle any new stuff
742 ... not shown 800 ... not shown
743 }; 801 };
744 802
745 The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the 803 The callbacks of the created watchers will not be called as the
746 watchers are destroyed before this cna happen (remember EV::check 804 watchers are destroyed before this can happen (remember EV::check
747 gets called first). 805 gets called first).
748 806
749 The "check_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created 807 The "check_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created
750 watcher. 808 watcher.
751 809
770 embedded loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or 828 embedded loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or
771 incorrect fashion and must not be used). 829 incorrect fashion and must not be used).
772 830
773 See the libev documentation at 831 See the libev documentation at
774 <http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#code_ev_embed_code 832 <http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod#code_ev_embed_code
775 _when_one_backend_> for more details. 833 _when_one_backend_> (locally installed as EV::libev) for more details.
776 834
777 In short, this watcher is most useful on BSD systems without working 835 In short, this watcher is most useful on BSD systems without working
778 kqueue to still be able to handle a large number of sockets: 836 kqueue to still be able to handle a large number of sockets:
779 837
780 my $socket_loop; 838 my $socket_loop;
781 839
782 # check wether we use SELECT or POLL _and_ KQUEUE is supported 840 # check wether we use SELECT or POLL _and_ KQUEUE is supported
783 if ( 841 if (
784 (EV::backend & (EV::BACKEND_POLL | EV::BACKEND_SELECT)) 842 (EV::backend & (EV::BACKEND_POLL | EV::BACKEND_SELECT))
785 && (EV::supported_backends & EV::embeddable_backends & EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE) 843 && (EV::supported_backends & EV::embeddable_backends & EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE)
786 ) { 844 ) {
787 # use kqueue for sockets 845 # use kqueue for sockets
788 $socket_loop = new EV::Loop EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE | EV::FLAG_NOENV; 846 $socket_loop = new EV::Loop EV::BACKEND_KQUEUE | EV::FLAG_NOENV;
789 } 847 }
790 848
791 # use the default loop otherwise 849 # use the default loop otherwise
792 $socket_loop ||= EV::default_loop; 850 $socket_loop ||= EV::default_loop;
793 851
794 $w = EV::embed $otherloop[, $callback] 852 $w = EV::embed $otherloop[, $callback]
795 $w = EV::embed_ns $otherloop[, $callback] 853 $w = EV::embed_ns $otherloop[, $callback]
796 $w = $loop->embed ($otherloop[, $callback]) 854 $w = $loop->embed ($otherloop[, $callback])
803 The "embed_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created 861 The "embed_ns" variant doesn't start (activate) the newly created
804 watcher. 862 watcher.
805 863
806 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop 864 ASYNC WATCHERS - how to wake up another event loop
807 Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly, 865 Async watchers are provided by EV, but have little use in perl directly,
808 as perl neither supports threads nor direct access to signal handlers or 866 as perl neither supports threads running in parallel nor direct access
809 other contexts where they could be of value. 867 to signal handlers or other contexts where they could be of value.
810 868
811 It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level. 869 It is, however, possible to use them from the XS level.
812 870
813 Please see the libev documentation for further details. 871 Please see the libev documentation for further details.
814 872
833 my $async_check = EV::check sub { }; 891 my $async_check = EV::check sub { };
834 892
835 This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any 893 This ensures that perl gets into control for a short time to handle any
836 pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation. 894 pending signals, and also ensures (slightly) slower overall operation.
837 895
838THREADS 896ITHREADS
839 Threads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl pseudo-threads 897 Ithreads are not supported by this module in any way. Perl
840 is evil stuff and must die. As soon as Perl gains real threads I will 898 pseudo-threads is evil stuff and must die. Real threads as provided by
841 work on thread support for it. 899 Coro are fully supported (and enhanced support is available via
900 Coro::EV).
842 901
843FORK 902FORK
844 Most of the "improved" event delivering mechanisms of modern operating 903 Most of the "improved" event delivering mechanisms of modern operating
845 systems have quite a few problems with fork(2) (to put it bluntly: it is 904 systems have quite a few problems with fork(2) (to put it bluntly: it is
846 not supported and usually destructive). Libev makes it possible to work 905 not supported and usually destructive). Libev makes it possible to work

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines