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Revision 1.12 by root, Wed Jun 29 10:32:55 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.18 by root, Tue Jul 5 20:34:42 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: 50Calling C<fork ()> is fully supported by this module - but you must not
51rely on this. It is currently implemented in these steps:
51 52
52 1. wait till all requests in "execute" state have been handled 53 1. wait till all requests in "execute" state have been handled
53 (basically requests that are already handed over to the kernel). 54 (basically requests that are already handed over to the kernel).
54 2. fork 55 2. fork
55 3. in the parent, continue business as usual, done 56 3. in the parent, continue business as usual, done
56 4. in the child, destroy all ready and pending requests and free the 57 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 memory used by the worker threads. This gives you a fully empty
58 libeio queue. 59 libeio queue.
59 60
60Note, however, since libeio does use threads, thr above guarantee doesn't 61Note, however, since libeio does use threads, the above guarantee doesn't
61cover your libc, for example, malloc and other libc functions are not 62cover your libc, for example, malloc and other libc functions are not
62fork-safe, so there is very little you can do after a fork, and in fatc, 63fork-safe, so there is very little you can do after a fork, and in fact,
63the above might crash, and thus change. 64the above might crash, and thus change.
64 65
65=head1 INITIALISATION/INTEGRATION 66=head1 INITIALISATION/INTEGRATION
66 67
67Before you can call any eio functions you first have to initialise the 68Before you can call any eio functions you first have to initialise the
124=back 125=back
125 126
126For libev, you would typically use an C<ev_async> watcher: the 127For 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 128C<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 129loop. 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 130()>.
130all requests have been handled yet). The race is taken care of because 131
131libev resets/rearms the async watcher before calling your callback, 132If 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) 133(i.e. it returns C<-1>) then you should start an idle watcher that calls
133spurious wake-ups, but is generally harmless. 134C<eio_poll> until it returns something C<!= -1>.
135
136A full-featured conenctor between libeio and libev would look as follows
137(if C<eio_poll> is handling all requests, it can of course be simplified a
138lot by removing the idle watcher logic):
139
140 static struct ev_loop *loop;
141 static ev_idle repeat_watcher;
142 static ev_async ready_watcher;
143
144 /* idle watcher callback, only used when eio_poll */
145 /* didn't handle all results in one call */
146 static void
147 repeat (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
148 {
149 if (eio_poll () != -1)
150 ev_idle_stop (EV_A_ w);
151 }
152
153 /* eio has some results, process them */
154 static void
155 ready (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
156 {
157 if (eio_poll () == -1)
158 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &repeat_watcher);
159 }
160
161 /* wake up the event loop */
162 static void
163 want_poll (void)
164 {
165 ev_async_send (loop, &ready_watcher)
166 }
167
168 void
169 my_init_eio ()
170 {
171 loop = EV_DEFAULT;
172
173 ev_idle_init (&repeat_watcher, repeat);
174 ev_async_init (&ready_watcher, ready);
175 ev_async_start (loop &watcher);
176
177 eio_init (want_poll, 0);
178 }
134 179
135For most other event loops, you would typically use a pipe - the event 180For 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 181loop 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 182C<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 183to 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 184C<eio_poll>.
140your callback again and again until the byte has been read (as the pipe 185
141read callback does not read it, only C<done_poll>). 186You don't have to take special care in the case C<eio_poll> doesn't handle
187all requests, as the done callback will not be invoked, so the event loop
188will still signal readiness for the pipe until I<all> results have been
189processed.
142 190
143 191
144=head1 HIGH LEVEL REQUEST API 192=head1 HIGH LEVEL REQUEST API
145 193
146Libeio has both a high-level API, which consists of calling a request 194Libeio has both a high-level API, which consists of calling a request
213 } 261 }
214 262
215 /* the first three arguments are passed to open(2) */ 263 /* the first three arguments are passed to open(2) */
216 /* the remaining are priority, callback and data */ 264 /* the remaining are priority, callback and data */
217 if (!eio_open ("/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, 0, file_open_done, 0)) 265 if (!eio_open ("/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY, 0, 0, file_open_done, 0))
218 abort (); /* something ent wrong, we will all die!!! */ 266 abort (); /* something went wrong, we will all die!!! */
219 267
220Note that you additionally need to call C<eio_poll> when the C<want_cb> 268Note that you additionally need to call C<eio_poll> when the C<want_cb>
221indicates that requests are ready to be processed. 269indicates that requests are ready to be processed.
270
271=head2 CANCELLING REQUESTS
272
273Sometimes the need for a request goes away before the request is
274finished. In that case, one can cancel the request by a call to
275C<eio_cancel>:
276
277=over 4
278
279=item eio_cancel (eio_req *req)
280
281Cancel the request (and all it's subrequests). If the request is currently
282executing it might still continue to execute, and in other cases it might
283still take a while till the request is cancelled.
284
285Even if cancelled, the finish callback will still be invoked - the
286callbacks of all cancellable requests need to check whether the request
287has been cancelled by calling C<EIO_CANCELLED (req)>:
288
289 static int
290 my_eio_cb (eio_req *req)
291 {
292 if (EIO_CANCELLED (req))
293 return 0;
294 }
295
296In addition, cancelled requests will I<either> have C<< req->result >>
297set to C<-1> and C<errno> to C<ECANCELED>, or I<otherwise> they were
298successfully executed, despite being cancelled (e.g. when they have
299already been executed at the time they were cancelled).
300
301C<EIO_CANCELLED> is still true for requests that have successfully
302executed, as long as C<eio_cancel> was called on them at some point.
303
304=back
222 305
223=head2 AVAILABLE REQUESTS 306=head2 AVAILABLE REQUESTS
224 307
225The following request functions are available. I<All> of them return the 308The following request functions are available. I<All> of them return the
226C<eio_req *> on success and C<0> on failure, and I<all> of them have the 309C<eio_req *> on success and C<0> on failure, and I<all> of them have the
320 char *target = strndup ((char *)req->ptr2, req->result); 403 char *target = strndup ((char *)req->ptr2, req->result);
321 404
322 free (target); 405 free (target);
323 } 406 }
324 407
408=item eio_realpath (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
409
410Similar to the realpath libc function, but unlike that one, result is
411C<-1> on failure and the length of the returned path in C<ptr2> (which is
412not 0-terminated) - this is similar to readlink.
413
325=item eio_stat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 414=item eio_stat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
326 415
327=item eio_lstat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 416=item eio_lstat (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
328 417
329=item eio_fstat (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 418=item eio_fstat (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
330 419
331Stats a file - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can 420Stats a file - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can
332access the C<struct stat>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>: 421access the C<struct stat>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>:
333 422
334 EIO_STRUCT_STAT *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STAT *)req->ptr2; 423 EIO_STRUCT_STAT *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STAT *)req->ptr2;
335 424
336=item eio_statvfs (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 425=item eio_statvfs (const char *path, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
337 426
338=item eio_fstatvfs (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 427=item eio_fstatvfs (int fd, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
339 428
340Stats a filesystem - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can 429Stats a filesystem - if C<< req->result >> indicates success, then you can
341access the C<struct statvfs>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>: 430access the C<struct statvfs>-like structure via C<< req->ptr2 >>:
342 431
343 EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *)req->ptr2; 432 EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *statdata = (EIO_STRUCT_STATVFS *)req->ptr2;
344 433
345=back 434=back
346 435
347=head3 READING DIRECTORIES 436=head3 READING DIRECTORIES
348 437
349Reading directories sounds simple, but can be rather demanding, especially 438Reading directories sounds simple, but can be rather demanding, especially
350if you want to do stuff such as traversing a diretcory hierarchy or 439if you want to do stuff such as traversing a directory hierarchy or
351processing all files in a directory. Libeio can assist thess complex tasks 440processing all files in a directory. Libeio can assist these complex tasks
352with it's C<eio_readdir> call. 441with it's C<eio_readdir> call.
353 442
354=over 4 443=over 4
355 444
356=item eio_readdir (const char *path, int flags, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 445=item eio_readdir (const char *path, int flags, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
388 477
389If this flag is specified, then, in addition to the names in C<ptr2>, 478If this flag is specified, then, in addition to the names in C<ptr2>,
390also an array of C<struct eio_dirent> is returned, in C<ptr1>. A C<struct 479also an array of C<struct eio_dirent> is returned, in C<ptr1>. A C<struct
391eio_dirent> looks like this: 480eio_dirent> looks like this:
392 481
393 struct eio_dirent 482 struct eio_dirent
394 { 483 {
395 int nameofs; /* offset of null-terminated name string in (char *)req->ptr2 */ 484 int nameofs; /* offset of null-terminated name string in (char *)req->ptr2 */
396 unsigned short namelen; /* size of filename without trailing 0 */ 485 unsigned short namelen; /* size of filename without trailing 0 */
397 unsigned char type; /* one of EIO_DT_* */ 486 unsigned char type; /* one of EIO_DT_* */
398 signed char score; /* internal use */ 487 signed char score; /* internal use */
399 ino_t inode; /* the inode number, if available, otherwise unspecified */ 488 ino_t inode; /* the inode number, if available, otherwise unspecified */
400 }; 489 };
401 490
402The only members you normally would access are C<nameofs>, which is the 491The only members you normally would access are C<nameofs>, which is the
403byte-offset from C<ptr2> to the start of the name, C<namelen> and C<type>. 492byte-offset from C<ptr2> to the start of the name, C<namelen> and C<type>.
404 493
405C<type> can be one of: 494C<type> can be one of:
448When this flag is specified, then the names will be returned in an order 537When this flag is specified, then the names will be returned in an order
449suitable for stat()'ing each one. That is, when you plan to stat() 538suitable for stat()'ing each one. That is, when you plan to stat()
450all files in the given directory, then the returned order will likely 539all files in the given directory, then the returned order will likely
451be fastest. 540be fastest.
452 541
453If both this flag and C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST> are specified, then 542If both this flag and C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST> are specified, then the
454the likely dirs come first, resulting in a less optimal stat order. 543likely directories come first, resulting in a less optimal stat order.
455 544
456=item EIO_READDIR_FOUND_UNKNOWN 545=item EIO_READDIR_FOUND_UNKNOWN
457 546
458This flag should not be specified when calling C<eio_readdir>. Instead, 547This flag should not be specified when calling C<eio_readdir>. Instead,
459it is being set by C<eio_readdir> (you can access the C<flags> via C<< 548it is being set by C<eio_readdir> (you can access the C<flags> via C<<
460req->int1 >>, when any of the C<type>'s found were C<EIO_DT_UNKNOWN>. The 549req->int1 >>, when any of the C<type>'s found were C<EIO_DT_UNKNOWN>. The
461absense of this flag therefore indicates that all C<type>'s are known, 550absence of this flag therefore indicates that all C<type>'s are known,
462which can be used to speed up some algorithms. 551which can be used to speed up some algorithms.
463 552
464A typical use case would be to identify all subdirectories within a 553A typical use case would be to identify all subdirectories within a
465directory - you would ask C<eio_readdir> for C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST>. If 554directory - you would ask C<eio_readdir> for C<EIO_READDIR_DIRS_FIRST>. If
466then this flag is I<NOT> set, then all the entries at the beginning of the 555then this flag is I<NOT> set, then all the entries at the beginning of the
554 643
555 eio_custom (my_open, 0, my_open_done, "/etc/passwd"); 644 eio_custom (my_open, 0, my_open_done, "/etc/passwd");
556 645
557=item eio_busy (eio_tstamp delay, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data) 646=item eio_busy (eio_tstamp delay, int pri, eio_cb cb, void *data)
558 647
559This is a a request that takes C<delay> seconds to execute, but otherwise 648This is a request that takes C<delay> seconds to execute, but otherwise
560does nothing - it simply puts one of the worker threads to sleep for this 649does nothing - it simply puts one of the worker threads to sleep for this
561long. 650long.
562 651
563This request can be used to artificially increase load, e.g. for debugging 652This request can be used to artificially increase load, e.g. for debugging
564or benchmarking reasons. 653or benchmarking reasons.
580There are two primary use cases for this: a) bundle many requests into a 669There are two primary use cases for this: a) bundle many requests into a
581single, composite, request with a definite callback and the ability to 670single, composite, request with a definite callback and the ability to
582cancel the whole request with its subrequests and b) limiting the number 671cancel the whole request with its subrequests and b) limiting the number
583of "active" requests. 672of "active" requests.
584 673
585Further below you will find more dicussion of these topics - first follows 674Further below you will find more discussion of these topics - first
586the reference section detailing the request generator and other methods. 675follows the reference section detailing the request generator and other
676methods.
587 677
588=over 4 678=over 4
589 679
590=item eio_grp (eio_cb cb, void *data) 680=item eio_req *grp = eio_grp (eio_cb cb, void *data)
591 681
592Creates and submits a group request. 682Creates, submits and returns a group request.
683
684=item eio_grp_add (eio_req *grp, eio_req *req)
685
686Adds a request to the request group.
687
688=item eio_grp_cancel (eio_req *grp)
689
690Cancels all requests I<in> the group, but I<not> the group request
691itself. You can cancel the group request via a normal C<eio_cancel> call.
692
693
593 694
594=back 695=back
595 696
596 697
597 698
601/* groups */ 702/* groups */
602 703
603eio_req *eio_grp (eio_cb cb, void *data); 704eio_req *eio_grp (eio_cb cb, void *data);
604void eio_grp_feed (eio_req *grp, void (*feed)(eio_req *req), int limit); 705void eio_grp_feed (eio_req *grp, void (*feed)(eio_req *req), int limit);
605void eio_grp_limit (eio_req *grp, int limit); 706void eio_grp_limit (eio_req *grp, int limit);
606void eio_grp_add (eio_req *grp, eio_req *req);
607void eio_grp_cancel (eio_req *grp); /* cancels all sub requests but not the group */ 707void eio_grp_cancel (eio_req *grp); /* cancels all sub requests but not the group */
608 708
609 709
610=back 710=back
611 711
618=head1 ANATOMY AND LIFETIME OF AN EIO REQUEST 718=head1 ANATOMY AND LIFETIME OF AN EIO REQUEST
619 719
620A request is represented by a structure of type C<eio_req>. To initialise 720A request is represented by a structure of type C<eio_req>. To initialise
621it, clear it to all zero bytes: 721it, clear it to all zero bytes:
622 722
623 eio_req req; 723 eio_req req;
624 724
625 memset (&req, 0, sizeof (req)); 725 memset (&req, 0, sizeof (req));
626 726
627A more common way to initialise a new C<eio_req> is to use C<calloc>: 727A more common way to initialise a new C<eio_req> is to use C<calloc>:
628 728
629 eio_req *req = calloc (1, sizeof (*req)); 729 eio_req *req = calloc (1, sizeof (*req));
630 730
631In either case, libeio neither allocates, initialises or frees the 731In either case, libeio neither allocates, initialises or frees the
632C<eio_req> structure for you - it merely uses it. 732C<eio_req> structure for you - it merely uses it.
633 733
634zero 734zero
652for example, in interactive programs, you might want to limit this time to 752for example, in interactive programs, you might want to limit this time to
653C<0.01> seconds or so. 753C<0.01> seconds or so.
654 754
655Note that: 755Note that:
656 756
757=over 4
758
657a) libeio doesn't know how long your request callbacks take, so the time 759=item a) libeio doesn't know how long your request callbacks take, so the
658spent in C<eio_poll> is up to one callback invocation longer then this 760time spent in C<eio_poll> is up to one callback invocation longer then
659interval. 761this interval.
660 762
661b) this is implemented by calling C<gettimeofday> after each request, 763=item b) this is implemented by calling C<gettimeofday> after each
662which can be costly. 764request, which can be costly.
663 765
664c) at least one request will be handled. 766=item c) at least one request will be handled.
767
768=back
665 769
666=item eio_set_max_poll_reqs (unsigned int nreqs) 770=item eio_set_max_poll_reqs (unsigned int nreqs)
667 771
668When C<nreqs> is non-zero, then C<eio_poll> will not handle more than 772When C<nreqs> is non-zero, then C<eio_poll> will not handle more than
669C<nreqs> requests per invocation. This is a less costly way to limit the 773C<nreqs> requests per invocation. This is a less costly way to limit the

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