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Revision 1.27 by root, Sun Jul 24 03:32:54 2011 UTC

45Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for 45Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
46time differences throughout libeio. 46time differences throughout libeio.
47 47
48=head2 FORK SUPPORT 48=head2 FORK SUPPORT
49 49
50Calling C<fork ()> is fully supported by this module. It is implemented in these steps: 50Usage of pthreads in a program changes the semantics of fork
51considerably. Specifically, only async-safe functions can be called after
52fork. Libeio uses pthreads, so this applies, and makes using fork hard for
53anything but relatively fork + exec uses.
51 54
52 1. wait till all requests in "execute" state have been handled 55This library only works in the process that initialised it: Forking is
53 (basically requests that are already handed over to the kernel). 56fully supported, but using libeio in any other process than the one that
54 2. fork 57called C<eio_init> is not.
55 3. in the parent, continue business as usual, done
56 4. in the child, destroy all ready and pending requests and free the
57 memory used by the worker threads. This gives you a fully empty
58 libeio queue.
59 58
60Note, however, since libeio does use threads, thr above guarantee doesn't 59You might get around by not I<using> libeio before (or after) forking in
61cover your libc, for example, malloc and other libc functions are not 60the parent, and using it in the child afterwards. You could also try to
62fork-safe, so there is very little you can do after a fork, and in fatc, 61call the L<eio_init> function again in the child, which will brutally
63the above might crash, and thus change. 62reinitialise all data structures, which isn't POSIX conformant, but
63typically works.
64
65Otherwise, the only recommendation you should follow is: treat fork code
66the same way you treat signal handlers, and only ever call C<eio_init> in
67the process that uses it, and only once ever.
64 68
65=head1 INITIALISATION/INTEGRATION 69=head1 INITIALISATION/INTEGRATION
66 70
67Before you can call any eio functions you first have to initialise the 71Before you can call any eio functions you first have to initialise the
68library. The library integrates into any event loop, but can also be used 72library. The library integrates into any event loop, but can also be used
77This function initialises the library. On success it returns C<0>, on 81This function initialises the library. On success it returns C<0>, on
78failure it returns C<-1> and sets C<errno> appropriately. 82failure it returns C<-1> and sets C<errno> appropriately.
79 83
80It accepts two function pointers specifying callbacks as argument, both of 84It accepts two function pointers specifying callbacks as argument, both of
81which can be C<0>, in which case the callback isn't called. 85which can be C<0>, in which case the callback isn't called.
86
87There is currently no way to change these callbacks later, or to
88"uninitialise" the library again.
82 89
83=item want_poll callback 90=item want_poll callback
84 91
85The C<want_poll> callback is invoked whenever libeio wants attention (i.e. 92The C<want_poll> callback is invoked whenever libeio wants attention (i.e.
86it wants to be polled by calling C<eio_poll>). It is "edge-triggered", 93it wants to be polled by calling C<eio_poll>). It is "edge-triggered",
124=back 131=back
125 132
126For libev, you would typically use an C<ev_async> watcher: the 133For libev, you would typically use an C<ev_async> watcher: the
127C<want_poll> callback would invoke C<ev_async_send> to wake up the event 134C<want_poll> callback would invoke C<ev_async_send> to wake up the event
128loop. Inside the callback set for the watcher, one would call C<eio_poll 135loop. Inside the callback set for the watcher, one would call C<eio_poll
129()> (followed by C<ev_async_send> again if C<eio_poll> indicates that not 136()>.
130all requests have been handled yet). The race is taken care of because 137
131libev resets/rearms the async watcher before calling your callback, 138If C<eio_poll ()> is configured to not handle all results in one go
132and therefore, before calling C<eio_poll>. This might result in (some) 139(i.e. it returns C<-1>) then you should start an idle watcher that calls
133spurious wake-ups, but is generally harmless. 140C<eio_poll> until it returns something C<!= -1>.
141
142A full-featured connector between libeio and libev would look as follows
143(if C<eio_poll> is handling all requests, it can of course be simplified a
144lot by removing the idle watcher logic):
145
146 static struct ev_loop *loop;
147 static ev_idle repeat_watcher;
148 static ev_async ready_watcher;
149
150 /* idle watcher callback, only used when eio_poll */
151 /* didn't handle all results in one call */
152 static void
153 repeat (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
154 {
155 if (eio_poll () != -1)
156 ev_idle_stop (EV_A_ w);
157 }
158
159 /* eio has some results, process them */
160 static void
161 ready (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
162 {
163 if (eio_poll () == -1)
164 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &repeat_watcher);
165 }
166
167 /* wake up the event loop */
168 static void
169 want_poll (void)
170 {
171 ev_async_send (loop, &ready_watcher)
172 }
173
174 void
175 my_init_eio ()
176 {
177 loop = EV_DEFAULT;
178
179 ev_idle_init (&repeat_watcher, repeat);
180 ev_async_init (&ready_watcher, ready);
181 ev_async_start (loop &watcher);
182
183 eio_init (want_poll, 0);
184 }
134 185
135For most other event loops, you would typically use a pipe - the event 186For most other event loops, you would typically use a pipe - the event
136loop should be told to wait for read readiness on the read end. In 187loop should be told to wait for read readiness on the read end. In
137C<want_poll> you would write a single byte, in C<done_poll> you would try 188C<want_poll> you would write a single byte, in C<done_poll> you would try
138to read that byte, and in the callback for the read end, you would call 189to read that byte, and in the callback for the read end, you would call
139C<eio_poll>. The race is avoided here because the event loop should invoke 190C<eio_poll>.
140your callback again and again until the byte has been read (as the pipe 191
141read callback does not read it, only C<done_poll>). 192You don't have to take special care in the case C<eio_poll> doesn't handle
193all requests, as the done callback will not be invoked, so the event loop
194will still signal readiness for the pipe until I<all> results have been
195processed.
142 196
143 197
144=head1 HIGH LEVEL REQUEST API 198=head1 HIGH LEVEL REQUEST API
145 199
146Libeio has both a high-level API, which consists of calling a request 200Libeio has both a high-level API, which consists of calling a request
153 207
154You submit a request by calling the relevant C<eio_TYPE> function with the 208You submit a request by calling the relevant C<eio_TYPE> function with the
155required parameters, a callback of type C<int (*eio_cb)(eio_req *req)> 209required parameters, a callback of type C<int (*eio_cb)(eio_req *req)>
156(called C<eio_cb> below) and a freely usable C<void *data> argument. 210(called C<eio_cb> below) and a freely usable C<void *data> argument.
157 211
158The return value will either be 0 212The return value will either be 0, in case something went really wrong
213(which can basically only happen on very fatal errors, such as C<malloc>
214returning 0, which is rather unlikely), or a pointer to the newly-created
215and submitted C<eio_req *>.
159 216
160The callback will be called with an C<eio_req *> which contains the 217The callback will be called with an C<eio_req *> which contains the
161results of the request. The members you can access inside that structure 218results of the request. The members you can access inside that structure
162vary from request to request, except for: 219vary from request to request, except for:
163 220
210 } 267 }
211 268
212 /* the first three arguments are passed to open(2) */ 269 /* the first three arguments are passed to open(2) */
213 /* the remaining are priority, callback and data */ 270 /* the remaining are priority, callback and data */
214 if (!eio_open ("/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, 0, file_open_done, 0)) 271 if (!eio_open ("/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, 0, file_open_done, 0))
215 abort (); /* something ent wrong, we will all die!!! */ 272 abort (); /* something went wrong, we will all die!!! */
216 273
217Note that you additionally need to call C<eio_poll> when the C<want_cb> 274Note that you additionally need to call C<eio_poll> when the C<want_cb>
218indicates that requests are ready to be processed. 275indicates that requests are ready to be processed.
276
277=head2 CANCELLING REQUESTS
278
279Sometimes the need for a request goes away before the request is
280finished. In that case, one can cancel the request by a call to
281C<eio_cancel>:
282
283=over 4
284
285=item eio_cancel (eio_req *req)
286
287Cancel the request (and all its subrequests). If the request is currently
288executing it might still continue to execute, and in other cases it might
289still take a while till the request is cancelled.
290
291Even if cancelled, the finish callback will still be invoked - the
292callbacks of all cancellable requests need to check whether the request
293has been cancelled by calling C<EIO_CANCELLED (req)>:
294
295 static int
296 my_eio_cb (eio_req *req)
297 {
298 if (EIO_CANCELLED (req))
299 return 0;
300 }
301
302In addition, cancelled requests will I<either> have C<< req->result >>
303set to C<-1> and C<errno> to C<ECANCELED>, or I<otherwise> they were
304successfully executed, despite being cancelled (e.g. when they have
305already been executed at the time they were cancelled).
306
307C<EIO_CANCELLED> is still true for requests that have successfully
308executed, as long as C<eio_cancel> was called on them at some point.
309
310=back
219 311
220=head2 AVAILABLE REQUESTS 312=head2 AVAILABLE REQUESTS
221 313
222The following request functions are available. I<All> of them return the 314The following request functions are available. I<All> of them return the
223C<eio_req *> on success and C<0> on failure, and I<all> of them have the 315C<eio_req *> on success and C<0> on failure, and I<all> of them have the
226custom data value as C<data>. 318custom data value as C<data>.
227 319
228=head3 POSIX API WRAPPERS 320=head3 POSIX API WRAPPERS
229 321
230These requests simply wrap the POSIX call of the same name, with the same 322These requests simply wrap the POSIX call of the same name, with the same
231arguments. If a function is not implemented by the OS and cnanot be emulated 323arguments. If a function is not implemented by the OS and cannot be emulated
232in some way, then all of these return C<-1> and set C<errorno> to C<ENOSYS>. 324in some way, then all of these return C<-1> and set C<errorno> to C<ENOSYS>.
233 325
234=over 4 326=over 4
235 327
236=item eio_open (const char *path, int flags, mode_t mode, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 328=item eio_open (const char *path, int flags, mode_t mode, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
317 char *target = strndup ((char *)req->ptr2, req->result); 409 char *target = strndup ((char *)req->ptr2, req->result);
318 410
319 free (target); 411 free (target);
320 } 412 }
321 413
414=item eio_realpath (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
415
416Similar to the realpath libc function, but unlike that one, C<<
417req->result >> is C<-1> on failure. On success, the result is the length
418of the returned path in C<ptr2> (which is I<NOT> 0-terminated) - this is
419similar to readlink.
420
322=item eio_stat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 421=item eio_stat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
323 422
324=item eio_lstat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 423=item eio_lstat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
325 424
326=item eio_fstat (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 425=item eio_fstat (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
327 426
328Stats a file - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can 427Stats a file - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can
329access the C<struct stat>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>: 428access the C<struct stat>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>:
330 429
331 EIO_STRUCT_STAT *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STAT *)req->ptr2; 430 EIO_STRUCT_STAT *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STAT *)req->ptr2;
332 431
333=item eio_statvfs (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 432=item eio_statvfs (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
334 433
335=item eio_fstatvfs (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 434=item eio_fstatvfs (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
336 435
337Stats a filesystem - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can 436Stats a filesystem - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can
338access the C<struct statvfs>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>: 437access the C<struct statvfs>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>:
339 438
340 EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *)req->ptr2; 439 EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *)req->ptr2;
341 440
342=back 441=back
343 442
344=head3 READING DIRECTORIES 443=head3 READING DIRECTORIES
345 444
346Reading directories sounds simple, but can be rather demanding, especially 445Reading directories sounds simple, but can be rather demanding, especially
347if you want to do stuff such as traversing a diretcory hierarchy or 446if you want to do stuff such as traversing a directory hierarchy or
348processing all files in a directory. Libeio can assist thess complex tasks 447processing all files in a directory. Libeio can assist these complex tasks
349with it's C<eio_readdir> call. 448with it's C<eio_readdir> call.
350 449
351=over 4 450=over 4
352 451
353=item eio_readdir (const char *path, int flags, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 452=item eio_readdir (const char *path, int flags, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
385 484
386If this flag is specified, then, in addition to the names in C<ptr2>, 485If this flag is specified, then, in addition to the names in C<ptr2>,
387also an array of C<struct eio_dirent> is returned, in C<ptr1>. A C<struct 486also an array of C<struct eio_dirent> is returned, in C<ptr1>. A C<struct
388eio_dirent> looks like this: 487eio_dirent> looks like this:
389 488
390 struct eio_dirent 489 struct eio_dirent
391 { 490 {
392 int nameofs; /* offset of null-terminated name string in (char *)req->ptr2 */ 491 int nameofs; /* offset of null-terminated name string in (char *)req->ptr2 */
393 unsigned short namelen; /* size of filename without trailing 0 */ 492 unsigned short namelen; /* size of filename without trailing 0 */
394 unsigned char type; /* one of EIO_DT_* */ 493 unsigned char type; /* one of EIO_DT_* */
395 signed char score; /* internal use */ 494 signed char score; /* internal use */
396 ino_t inode; /* the inode number, if available, otherwise unspecified */ 495 ino_t inode; /* the inode number, if available, otherwise unspecified */
397 }; 496 };
398 497
399The only members you normally would access are C<nameofs>, which is the 498The only members you normally would access are C<nameofs>, which is the
400byte-offset from C<ptr2> to the start of the name, C<namelen> and C<type>. 499byte-offset from C<ptr2> to the start of the name, C<namelen> and C<type>.
401 500
402C<type> can be one of: 501C<type> can be one of:
445When this flag is specified, then the names will be returned in an order 544When this flag is specified, then the names will be returned in an order
446suitable for stat()'ing each one. That is, when you plan to stat() 545suitable for stat()'ing each one. That is, when you plan to stat()
447all files in the given directory, then the returned order will likely 546all files in the given directory, then the returned order will likely
448be fastest. 547be fastest.
449 548
450If both this flag and C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST> are specified, then 549If both this flag and C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST> are specified, then the
451the likely dirs come first, resulting in a less optimal stat order. 550likely directories come first, resulting in a less optimal stat order.
452 551
453=item EIO_READDIR_FOUND_UNKNOWN 552=item EIO_READDIR_FOUND_UNKNOWN
454 553
455This flag should not be specified when calling C<eio_readdir>. Instead, 554This flag should not be specified when calling C<eio_readdir>. Instead,
456it is being set by C<eio_readdir> (you can access the C<flags> via C<< 555it is being set by C<eio_readdir> (you can access the C<flags> via C<<
457req->int1 >>, when any of the C<type>'s found were C<EIO_DT_UNKNOWN>. The 556req->int1 >>, when any of the C<type>'s found were C<EIO_DT_UNKNOWN>. The
458absense of this flag therefore indicates that all C<type>'s are known, 557absence of this flag therefore indicates that all C<type>'s are known,
459which can be used to speed up some algorithms. 558which can be used to speed up some algorithms.
460 559
461A typical use case would be to identify all subdirectories within a 560A typical use case would be to identify all subdirectories within a
462directory - you would ask C<eio_readdir> for C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST>. If 561directory - you would ask C<eio_readdir> for C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST>. If
463then this flag is I<NOT> set, then all the entries at the beginning of the 562then this flag is I<NOT> set, then all the entries at the beginning of the
493=item eio_readahead (int fd, off_t offset, size_t length, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 592=item eio_readahead (int fd, off_t offset, size_t length, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
494 593
495Calls C<readahead(2)>. If the syscall is missing, then the call is 594Calls C<readahead(2)>. If the syscall is missing, then the call is
496emulated by simply reading the data (currently in 64kiB chunks). 595emulated by simply reading the data (currently in 64kiB chunks).
497 596
597=item eio_syncfs (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
598
599Calls Linux' C<syncfs> syscall, if available. Returns C<-1> and sets
600C<errno> to C<ENOSYS> if the call is missing I<but still calls sync()>,
601if the C<fd> is C<< >= 0 >>, so you can probe for the availability of the
602syscall with a negative C<fd> argument and checking for C<-1/ENOSYS>.
603
498=item eio_sync_file_range (int fd, off_t offset, size_t nbytes, unsigned int flags, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 604=item eio_sync_file_range (int fd, off_t offset, size_t nbytes, unsigned int flags, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
499 605
500Calls C<sync_file_range>. If the syscall is missing, then this is the same 606Calls C<sync_file_range>. If the syscall is missing, then this is the same
501as calling C<fdatasync>. 607as calling C<fdatasync>.
502 608
503Flags can be any combination of C<EIO_SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WAIT_BEFORE>, 609Flags can be any combination of C<EIO_SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WAIT_BEFORE>,
504C<EIO_SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WRITE> and C<EIO_SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WAIT_AFTER>. 610C<EIO_SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WRITE> and C<EIO_SYNC_FILE_RANGE_WAIT_AFTER>.
611
612=item eio_fallocate (int fd, int mode, off_t offset, off_t len, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
613
614Calls C<fallocate> (note: I<NOT> C<posix_fallocate>!). If the syscall is
615missing, then it returns failure and sets C<errno> to C<ENOSYS>.
616
617The C<mode> argument can be C<0> (for behaviour similar to
618C<posix_fallocate>), or C<EIO_FALLOC_FL_KEEP_SIZE>, which keeps the size
619of the file unchanged (but still preallocates space beyond end of file).
505 620
506=back 621=back
507 622
508=head3 LIBEIO-SPECIFIC REQUESTS 623=head3 LIBEIO-SPECIFIC REQUESTS
509 624
551 666
552 eio_custom (my_open, 0, my_open_done, "/etc/passwd"); 667 eio_custom (my_open, 0, my_open_done, "/etc/passwd");
553 668
554=item eio_busy (eio_tstamp delay, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 669=item eio_busy (eio_tstamp delay, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
555 670
556This is a a request that takes C<delay> seconds to execute, but otherwise 671This is a request that takes C<delay> seconds to execute, but otherwise
557does nothing - it simply puts one of the worker threads to sleep for this 672does nothing - it simply puts one of the worker threads to sleep for this
558long. 673long.
559 674
560This request can be used to artificially increase load, e.g. for debugging 675This request can be used to artificially increase load, e.g. for debugging
561or benchmarking reasons. 676or benchmarking reasons.
568 683
569=back 684=back
570 685
571=head3 GROUPING AND LIMITING REQUESTS 686=head3 GROUPING AND LIMITING REQUESTS
572 687
688There is one more rather special request, C<eio_grp>. It is a very special
689aio request: Instead of doing something, it is a container for other eio
690requests.
691
692There are two primary use cases for this: a) bundle many requests into a
693single, composite, request with a definite callback and the ability to
694cancel the whole request with its subrequests and b) limiting the number
695of "active" requests.
696
697Further below you will find more discussion of these topics - first
698follows the reference section detailing the request generator and other
699methods.
700
701=over 4
702
703=item eio_req *grp = eio_grp (eio_cb cb, void *data)
704
705Creates, submits and returns a group request. Note that it doesn't have a
706priority, unlike all other requests.
707
708=item eio_grp_add (eio_req *grp, eio_req *req)
709
710Adds a request to the request group.
711
712=item eio_grp_cancel (eio_req *grp)
713
714Cancels all requests I<in> the group, but I<not> the group request
715itself. You can cancel the group request I<and> all subrequests via a
716normal C<eio_cancel> call.
717
718=back
719
720=head4 GROUP REQUEST LIFETIME
721
722Left alone, a group request will instantly move to the pending state and
723will be finished at the next call of C<eio_poll>.
724
725The usefulness stems from the fact that, if a subrequest is added to a
726group I<before> a call to C<eio_poll>, via C<eio_grp_add>, then the group
727will not finish until all the subrequests have finished.
728
729So the usage cycle of a group request is like this: after it is created,
730you normally instantly add a subrequest. If none is added, the group
731request will finish on it's own. As long as subrequests are added before
732the group request is finished it will be kept from finishing, that is the
733callbacks of any subrequests can, in turn, add more requests to the group,
734and as long as any requests are active, the group request itself will not
735finish.
736
737=head4 CREATING COMPOSITE REQUESTS
738
739Imagine you wanted to create an C<eio_load> request that opens a file,
740reads it and closes it. This means it has to execute at least three eio
741requests, but for various reasons it might be nice if that request looked
742like any other eio request.
743
744This can be done with groups:
745
746=over 4
747
748=item 1) create the request object
749
750Create a group that contains all further requests. This is the request you
751can return as "the load request".
752
753=item 2) open the file, maybe
754
755Next, open the file with C<eio_open> and add the request to the group
756request and you are finished setting up the request.
757
758If, for some reason, you cannot C<eio_open> (path is a null ptr?) you
759can set C<< grp->result >> to C<-1> to signal an error and let the group
760request finish on its own.
761
762=item 3) open callback adds more requests
763
764In the open callback, if the open was not successful, copy C<<
765req->errorno >> to C<< grp->errorno >> and set C<< grp->errorno >> to
766C<-1> to signal an error.
767
768Otherwise, malloc some memory or so and issue a read request, adding the
769read request to the group.
770
771=item 4) continue issuing requests till finished
772
773In the real callback, check for errors and possibly continue with
774C<eio_close> or any other eio request in the same way.
775
776As soon as no new requests are added the group request will finish. Make
777sure you I<always> set C<< grp->result >> to some sensible value.
778
779=back
780
781=head4 REQUEST LIMITING
782
783
573#TODO 784#TODO
574 785
575/*****************************************************************************/
576/* groups */
577
578eio_req *eio_grp (eio_cb cb, void *data);
579void eio_grp_feed (eio_req *grp, void (*feed)(eio_req *req), int limit);
580void eio_grp_limit (eio_req *grp, int limit); 786void eio_grp_limit (eio_req *grp, int limit);
581void eio_grp_add (eio_req *grp, eio_req *req);
582void eio_grp_cancel (eio_req *grp); /* cancels all sub requests but not the group */
583 787
584 788
585=back 789=back
586 790
587 791
593=head1 ANATOMY AND LIFETIME OF AN EIO REQUEST 797=head1 ANATOMY AND LIFETIME OF AN EIO REQUEST
594 798
595A request is represented by a structure of type C<eio_req>. To initialise 799A request is represented by a structure of type C<eio_req>. To initialise
596it, clear it to all zero bytes: 800it, clear it to all zero bytes:
597 801
598 eio_req req; 802 eio_req req;
599 803
600 memset (&req, 0, sizeof (req)); 804 memset (&req, 0, sizeof (req));
601 805
602A more common way to initialise a new C<eio_req> is to use C<calloc>: 806A more common way to initialise a new C<eio_req> is to use C<calloc>:
603 807
604 eio_req *req = calloc (1, sizeof (*req)); 808 eio_req *req = calloc (1, sizeof (*req));
605 809
606In either case, libeio neither allocates, initialises or frees the 810In either case, libeio neither allocates, initialises or frees the
607C<eio_req> structure for you - it merely uses it. 811C<eio_req> structure for you - it merely uses it.
608 812
609zero 813zero
627for example, in interactive programs, you might want to limit this time to 831for example, in interactive programs, you might want to limit this time to
628C<0.01> seconds or so. 832C<0.01> seconds or so.
629 833
630Note that: 834Note that:
631 835
836=over 4
837
632a) libeio doesn't know how long your request callbacks take, so the time 838=item a) libeio doesn't know how long your request callbacks take, so the
633spent in C<eio_poll> is up to one callback invocation longer then this 839time spent in C<eio_poll> is up to one callback invocation longer then
634interval. 840this interval.
635 841
636b) this is implemented by calling C<gettimeofday> after each request, 842=item b) this is implemented by calling C<gettimeofday> after each
637which can be costly. 843request, which can be costly.
638 844
639c) at least one request will be handled. 845=item c) at least one request will be handled.
846
847=back
640 848
641=item eio_set_max_poll_reqs (unsigned int nreqs) 849=item eio_set_max_poll_reqs (unsigned int nreqs)
642 850
643When C<nreqs> is non-zero, then C<eio_poll> will not handle more than 851When C<nreqs> is non-zero, then C<eio_poll> will not handle more than
644C<nreqs> requests per invocation. This is a less costly way to limit the 852C<nreqs> requests per invocation. This is a less costly way to limit the
714This symbol governs the stack size for each eio thread. Libeio itself 922This symbol governs the stack size for each eio thread. Libeio itself
715was written to use very little stackspace, but when using C<EIO_CUSTOM> 923was written to use very little stackspace, but when using C<EIO_CUSTOM>
716requests, you might want to increase this. 924requests, you might want to increase this.
717 925
718If this symbol is undefined (the default) then libeio will use its default 926If this symbol is undefined (the default) then libeio will use its default
719stack size (C<sizeof (long) * 4096> currently). If it is defined, but 927stack size (C<sizeof (void *) * 4096> currently). If it is defined, but
720C<0>, then the default operating system stack size will be used. In all 928C<0>, then the default operating system stack size will be used. In all
721other cases, the value must be an expression that evaluates to the desired 929other cases, the value must be an expression that evaluates to the desired
722stack size. 930stack size.
723 931
724=back 932=back

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