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4<head> 4<head>
5 <title>libev</title> 5 <title>libev</title>
6 <meta name="description" content="Pod documentation for libev" /> 6 <meta name="description" content="Pod documentation for libev" />
7 <meta name="inputfile" content="&lt;standard input&gt;" /> 7 <meta name="inputfile" content="&lt;standard input&gt;" />
8 <meta name="outputfile" content="&lt;standard output&gt;" /> 8 <meta name="outputfile" content="&lt;standard output&gt;" />
9 <meta name="created" content="Mon Nov 12 09:58:24 2007" /> 9 <meta name="created" content="Sat Nov 24 10:48:32 2007" />
10 <meta name="generator" content="Pod::Xhtml 1.57" /> 10 <meta name="generator" content="Pod::Xhtml 1.57" />
11<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://res.tst.eu/pod.css"/></head> 11<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://res.tst.eu/pod.css"/></head>
12<body> 12<body>
13<div class="pod"> 13<div class="pod">
14<!-- INDEX START --> 14<!-- INDEX START -->
21<li><a href="#CONVENTIONS">CONVENTIONS</a></li> 21<li><a href="#CONVENTIONS">CONVENTIONS</a></li>
22<li><a href="#TIME_REPRESENTATION">TIME REPRESENTATION</a></li> 22<li><a href="#TIME_REPRESENTATION">TIME REPRESENTATION</a></li>
23<li><a href="#GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS">GLOBAL FUNCTIONS</a></li> 23<li><a href="#GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS">GLOBAL FUNCTIONS</a></li>
24<li><a href="#FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP">FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP</a></li> 24<li><a href="#FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP">FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP</a></li>
25<li><a href="#ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</a> 25<li><a href="#ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</a>
26<ul><li><a href="#SUMMARY_OF_GENERIC_WATCHER_FUNCTIONS">SUMMARY OF GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS</a></li>
26<ul><li><a href="#ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH">ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER</a></li> 27<li><a href="#ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH">ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER</a></li>
27</ul> 28</ul>
28</li> 29</li>
29<li><a href="#WATCHER_TYPES">WATCHER TYPES</a> 30<li><a href="#WATCHER_TYPES">WATCHER TYPES</a>
30<ul><li><a href="#code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip"><code>ev_io</code> - is this file descriptor readable or writable</a></li> 31<ul><li><a href="#code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip"><code>ev_io</code> - is this file descriptor readable or writable</a></li>
31<li><a href="#code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti"><code>ev_timer</code> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts</a></li> 32<li><a href="#code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti"><code>ev_timer</code> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts</a></li>
32<li><a href="#code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not"><code>ev_periodic</code> - to cron or not to cron</a></li> 33<li><a href="#code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not"><code>ev_periodic</code> - to cron or not to cron</a></li>
33<li><a href="#code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a"><code>ev_signal</code> - signal me when a signal gets signalled</a></li> 34<li><a href="#code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a"><code>ev_signal</code> - signal me when a signal gets signalled</a></li>
34<li><a href="#code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat"><code>ev_child</code> - wait for pid status changes</a></li> 35<li><a href="#code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat"><code>ev_child</code> - wait for pid status changes</a></li>
35<li><a href="#code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no"><code>ev_idle</code> - when you've got nothing better to do</a></li> 36<li><a href="#code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no"><code>ev_idle</code> - when you've got nothing better to do</a></li>
36<li><a href="#code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che"><code>ev_prepare</code> and <code>ev_check</code> - customise your event loop</a></li> 37<li><a href="#code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che"><code>ev_prepare</code> and <code>ev_check</code> - customise your event loop</a></li>
38<li><a href="#code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_"><code>ev_embed</code> - when one backend isn't enough</a></li>
37</ul> 39</ul>
38</li> 40</li>
39<li><a href="#OTHER_FUNCTIONS">OTHER FUNCTIONS</a></li> 41<li><a href="#OTHER_FUNCTIONS">OTHER FUNCTIONS</a></li>
42<li><a href="#LIBEVENT_EMULATION">LIBEVENT EMULATION</a></li>
43<li><a href="#C_SUPPORT">C++ SUPPORT</a></li>
40<li><a href="#AUTHOR">AUTHOR</a> 44<li><a href="#AUTHOR">AUTHOR</a>
41</li> 45</li>
42</ul><hr /> 46</ul><hr />
43<!-- INDEX END --> 47<!-- INDEX END -->
44 48
94<div id="TIME_REPRESENTATION_CONTENT"> 98<div id="TIME_REPRESENTATION_CONTENT">
95<p>Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 99<p>Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
96(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 100(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
97the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 101the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
98called <code>ev_tstamp</code>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 102called <code>ev_tstamp</code>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
99to the double type in C.</p> 103to the <code>double</code> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
104it, you should treat it as such.</p>
105
106
107
108
100 109
101</div> 110</div>
102<h1 id="GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS">GLOBAL FUNCTIONS</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 111<h1 id="GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS">GLOBAL FUNCTIONS</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
103<div id="GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS_CONTENT"> 112<div id="GLOBAL_FUNCTIONS_CONTENT">
113<p>These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
114library in any way.</p>
104<dl> 115<dl>
105 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_time ()</dt> 116 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_time ()</dt>
106 <dd> 117 <dd>
107 <p>Returns the current time as libev would use it.</p> 118 <p>Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
119<code>ev_now</code> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
120you actually want to know.</p>
108 </dd> 121 </dd>
109 <dt>int ev_version_major ()</dt> 122 <dt>int ev_version_major ()</dt>
110 <dt>int ev_version_minor ()</dt> 123 <dt>int ev_version_minor ()</dt>
111 <dd> 124 <dd>
112 <p>You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 125 <p>You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library
116version of the library your program was compiled against.</p> 129version of the library your program was compiled against.</p>
117 <p>Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 130 <p>Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
118as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 131as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
119compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 132compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
120not a problem.</p> 133not a problem.</p>
134 <p>Example: make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
135version:</p>
136<pre> assert ((&quot;libev version mismatch&quot;,
137 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
138 &amp;&amp; ev_version_minor () &gt;= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
139
140</pre>
141 </dd>
142 <dt>unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()</dt>
143 <dd>
144 <p>Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding <code>EV_BACKEND_*</code>
145value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
146availability on the system you are running on). See <code>ev_default_loop</code> for
147a description of the set values.</p>
148 <p>Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
149a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11</p>
150<pre> assert ((&quot;sorry, no epoll, no sex&quot;,
151 ev_supported_backends () &amp; EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
152
153</pre>
154 </dd>
155 <dt>unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()</dt>
156 <dd>
157 <p>Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
158recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
159returned by <code>ev_supported_backends</code>, as for example kqueue is broken on
160most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it
161(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
162libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.</p>
163 </dd>
164 <dt>unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()</dt>
165 <dd>
166 <p>Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
167is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends
168might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at
169<code>ev_embeddable_backends () &amp; ev_supported_backends ()</code>, likewise for
170recommended ones.</p>
171 <p>See the description of <code>ev_embed</code> watchers for more info.</p>
121 </dd> 172 </dd>
122 <dt>ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))</dt> 173 <dt>ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))</dt>
123 <dd> 174 <dd>
124 <p>Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 175 <p>Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the
125realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 176realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate
127needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 178needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially
128destructive action. The default is your system realloc function.</p> 179destructive action. The default is your system realloc function.</p>
129 <p>You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 180 <p>You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
130free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 181free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
131or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.</p> 182or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.</p>
183 <p>Example: replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
184retries: better than mine).</p>
185<pre> static void *
186 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, long size)
187 {
188 for (;;)
189 {
190 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
191
192 if (newptr)
193 return newptr;
194
195 sleep (60);
196 }
197 }
198
199 ...
200 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
201
202</pre>
132 </dd> 203 </dd>
133 <dt>ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));</dt> 204 <dt>ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));</dt>
134 <dd> 205 <dd>
135 <p>Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 206 <p>Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such
136as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 207as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
137indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 208indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
138callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 209callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no
139matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 210matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
140requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 211requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
141(such as abort).</p> 212(such as abort).</p>
213 <p>Example: do the same thing as libev does internally:</p>
214<pre> static void
215 fatal_error (const char *msg)
216 {
217 perror (msg);
218 abort ();
219 }
220
221 ...
222 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
223
224</pre>
142 </dd> 225 </dd>
143</dl> 226</dl>
144 227
145</div> 228</div>
146<h1 id="FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP">FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 229<h1 id="FUNCTIONS_CONTROLLING_THE_EVENT_LOOP">FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
158 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)</dt> 241 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)</dt>
159 <dd> 242 <dd>
160 <p>This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 243 <p>This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised
161yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 244yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns
162false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 245false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the
163flags).</p> 246flags. If that is troubling you, check <code>ev_backend ()</code> afterwards).</p>
164 <p>If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 247 <p>If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
165function.</p> 248function.</p>
166 <p>The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 249 <p>The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
167backends to use, and is usually specified as 0 (or EVFLAG_AUTO).</p> 250backends to use, and is usually specified as <code>0</code> (or <code>EVFLAG_AUTO</code>).</p>
168 <p>It supports the following flags:</p> 251 <p>The following flags are supported:</p>
169 <p> 252 <p>
170 <dl> 253 <dl>
171 <dt><code>EVFLAG_AUTO</code></dt> 254 <dt><code>EVFLAG_AUTO</code></dt>
172 <dd> 255 <dd>
173 <p>The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 256 <p>The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
180<code>LIBEV_FLAGS</code>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 263<code>LIBEV_FLAGS</code>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
181override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 264override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
182useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 265useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
183around bugs.</p> 266around bugs.</p>
184 </dd> 267 </dd>
185 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_SELECT</code> (portable select backend)</dt> 268 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> (value 1, portable select backend)</dt>
186 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_POLL</code> (poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)</dt> 269 <dd>
187 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_EPOLL</code> (linux only)</dt> 270 <p>This is your standard select(2) backend. Not <i>completely</i> standard, as
188 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_KQUEUE</code> (some bsds only)</dt> 271libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
189 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_DEVPOLL</code> (solaris 8 only)</dt> 272but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
190 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_PORT</code> (solaris 10 only)</dt> 273using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually
274the fastest backend for a low number of fds.</p>
191 <dd> 275 </dd>
192 <p>If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 276 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)</dt>
193backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If one are 277 <dd>
194specified, any backend will do.</p> 278 <p>And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than
279select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the
280number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a
281lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds).</p>
282 </dd>
283 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_EPOLL</code> (value 4, Linux)</dt>
284 <dd>
285 <p>For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
286but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
287O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales
288either O(1) or O(active_fds).</p>
289 <p>While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will
290result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident
291(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
292best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very
293well if you register events for both fds.</p>
294 <p>Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
295need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
296(or space) is available.</p>
297 </dd>
298 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_KQUEUE</code> (value 8, most BSD clones)</dt>
299 <dd>
300 <p>Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
301was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with
302anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its
303completely useless). For this reason its not being &quot;autodetected&quot;
304unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
305<code>EVBACKEND_KQUEUE</code>).</p>
306 <p>It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
307kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
308course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an
309extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per
310incident, so its best to avoid that.</p>
311 </dd>
312 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL</code> (value 16, Solaris 8)</dt>
313 <dd>
314 <p>This is not implemented yet (and might never be).</p>
315 </dd>
316 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_PORT</code> (value 32, Solaris 10)</dt>
317 <dd>
318 <p>This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
319it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).</p>
320 <p>Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious
321notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
322blocking when no data (or space) is available.</p>
323 </dd>
324 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_ALL</code></dt>
325 <dd>
326 <p>Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
327with <code>EVFLAG_AUTO</code>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
328<code>EVBACKEND_ALL &amp; ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE</code>.</p>
195 </dd> 329 </dd>
196 </dl> 330 </dl>
197 </p> 331 </p>
332 <p>If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these
333backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are
334specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse
335order of their flag values :)</p>
336 <p>The most typical usage is like this:</p>
337<pre> if (!ev_default_loop (0))
338 fatal (&quot;could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?&quot;);
339
340</pre>
341 <p>Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
342environment settings to be taken into account:</p>
343<pre> ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
344
345</pre>
346 <p>Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
347available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
348event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):</p>
349<pre> ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
350
351</pre>
198 </dd> 352 </dd>
199 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)</dt> 353 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)</dt>
200 <dd> 354 <dd>
201 <p>Similar to <code>ev_default_loop</code>, but always creates a new event loop that is 355 <p>Similar to <code>ev_default_loop</code>, but always creates a new event loop that is
202always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 356always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
203handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 357handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
204undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).</p> 358undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).</p>
359 <p>Example: try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.</p>
360<pre> struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
361 if (!epoller)
362 fatal (&quot;no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair&quot;);
363
364</pre>
205 </dd> 365 </dd>
206 <dt>ev_default_destroy ()</dt> 366 <dt>ev_default_destroy ()</dt>
207 <dd> 367 <dd>
208 <p>Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 368 <p>Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
209etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in 369etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
210any way whatsoever, although you cannot rely on this :).</p> 370sense, so e.g. <code>ev_is_active</code> might still return true. It is your
371responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef <i>before</i>
372calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
373the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or <code>free ()</code> them
374for example).</p>
211 </dd> 375 </dd>
212 <dt>ev_loop_destroy (loop)</dt> 376 <dt>ev_loop_destroy (loop)</dt>
213 <dd> 377 <dd>
214 <p>Like <code>ev_default_destroy</code>, but destroys an event loop created by an 378 <p>Like <code>ev_default_destroy</code>, but destroys an event loop created by an
215earlier call to <code>ev_loop_new</code>.</p> 379earlier call to <code>ev_loop_new</code>.</p>
218 <dd> 382 <dd>
219 <p>This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 383 <p>This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have
220one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 384one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense
221after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 385after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that
222again makes little sense).</p> 386again makes little sense).</p>
223 <p>You <i>must</i> call this function after forking if and only if you want to 387 <p>You <i>must</i> call this function in the child process after forking if and
224use the event library in both processes. If you just fork+exec, you don't 388only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just
225have to call it.</p> 389fork+exec, you don't have to call it.</p>
226 <p>The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 390 <p>The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
227it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 391it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
228quite nicely into a call to <code>pthread_atfork</code>:</p> 392quite nicely into a call to <code>pthread_atfork</code>:</p>
229<pre> pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 393<pre> pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
230 394
231</pre> 395</pre>
396 <p>At the moment, <code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> and <code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code> are safe to use
397without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
398do not need to care.</p>
232 </dd> 399 </dd>
233 <dt>ev_loop_fork (loop)</dt> 400 <dt>ev_loop_fork (loop)</dt>
234 <dd> 401 <dd>
235 <p>Like <code>ev_default_fork</code>, but acts on an event loop created by 402 <p>Like <code>ev_default_fork</code>, but acts on an event loop created by
236<code>ev_loop_new</code>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 403<code>ev_loop_new</code>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
237after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.</p> 404after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.</p>
238 </dd> 405 </dd>
239 <dt>unsigned int ev_method (loop)</dt> 406 <dt>unsigned int ev_backend (loop)</dt>
240 <dd> 407 <dd>
241 <p>Returns one of the <code>EVMETHOD_*</code> flags indicating the event backend in 408 <p>Returns one of the <code>EVBACKEND_*</code> flags indicating the event backend in
242use.</p> 409use.</p>
243 </dd> 410 </dd>
244 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_now (loop)</dt> 411 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_now (loop)</dt>
245 <dd> 412 <dd>
246 <p>Returns the current &quot;event loop time&quot;, which is the time the event loop 413 <p>Returns the current &quot;event loop time&quot;, which is the time the event loop
247got events and started processing them. This timestamp does not change 414received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
248as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base time 415change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
249used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the event 416time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
250occuring (or more correctly, the mainloop finding out about it).</p> 417event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).</p>
251 </dd> 418 </dd>
252 <dt>ev_loop (loop, int flags)</dt> 419 <dt>ev_loop (loop, int flags)</dt>
253 <dd> 420 <dd>
254 <p>Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 421 <p>Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
255after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 422after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
256events.</p> 423events.</p>
257 <p>If the flags argument is specified as 0, it will not return until either 424 <p>If the flags argument is specified as <code>0</code>, it will not return until
258no event watchers are active anymore or <code>ev_unloop</code> was called.</p> 425either no event watchers are active anymore or <code>ev_unloop</code> was called.</p>
426 <p>Please note that an explicit <code>ev_unloop</code> is usually better than
427relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
428finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that
429automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of
430relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.</p>
259 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_NONBLOCK</code> will look for new events, will handle 431 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_NONBLOCK</code> will look for new events, will handle
260those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 432those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
261case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.</p> 433case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.</p>
262 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_ONESHOT</code> will look for new events (waiting if 434 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_ONESHOT</code> will look for new events (waiting if
263neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 435neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
264your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 436your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
265one iteration of the loop.</p> 437one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some
266 <p>This flags value could be used to implement alternative looping 438external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
267constructs, but the <code>prepare</code> and <code>check</code> watchers provide a better and 439libev watchers. However, a pair of <code>ev_prepare</code>/<code>ev_check</code> watchers is
268more generic mechanism.</p> 440usually a better approach for this kind of thing.</p>
441 <p>Here are the gory details of what <code>ev_loop</code> does:</p>
442<pre> * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.
443 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.
444 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
445 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
446 - Update the &quot;event loop time&quot;.
447 - Calculate for how long to block.
448 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
449 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
450 - Update the &quot;event loop time&quot; and do time jump handling.
451 - Queue all outstanding timers.
452 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
453 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
454 - Queue all check watchers.
455 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
456 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
457 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
458 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
459 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
460
461</pre>
462 <p>Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding
463anymore.</p>
464<pre> ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
465 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
466 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
467 ... jobs done. yeah!
468
469</pre>
269 </dd> 470 </dd>
270 <dt>ev_unloop (loop, how)</dt> 471 <dt>ev_unloop (loop, how)</dt>
271 <dd> 472 <dd>
272 <p>Can be used to make a call to <code>ev_loop</code> return early (but only after it 473 <p>Can be used to make a call to <code>ev_loop</code> return early (but only after it
273has processed all outstanding events). The <code>how</code> argument must be either 474has processed all outstanding events). The <code>how</code> argument must be either
274<code>EVUNLOOP_ONCE</code>, which will make the innermost <code>ev_loop</code> call return, or 475<code>EVUNLOOP_ONE</code>, which will make the innermost <code>ev_loop</code> call return, or
275<code>EVUNLOOP_ALL</code>, which will make all nested <code>ev_loop</code> calls return.</p> 476<code>EVUNLOOP_ALL</code>, which will make all nested <code>ev_loop</code> calls return.</p>
276 </dd> 477 </dd>
277 <dt>ev_ref (loop)</dt> 478 <dt>ev_ref (loop)</dt>
278 <dt>ev_unref (loop)</dt> 479 <dt>ev_unref (loop)</dt>
279 <dd> 480 <dd>
285example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 486example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not
286visible to the libev user and should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from exiting if 487visible to the libev user and should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from exiting if
287no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 488no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
288way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 489way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
289libraries. Just remember to <i>unref after start</i> and <i>ref before stop</i>.</p> 490libraries. Just remember to <i>unref after start</i> and <i>ref before stop</i>.</p>
491 <p>Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping <code>ev_loop</code>
492running when nothing else is active.</p>
493<pre> struct dv_signal exitsig;
494 ev_signal_init (&amp;exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
495 ev_signal_start (myloop, &amp;exitsig);
496 evf_unref (myloop);
497
498</pre>
499 <p>Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.</p>
500<pre> ev_ref (myloop);
501 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &amp;exitsig);
502
503</pre>
290 </dd> 504 </dd>
291</dl> 505</dl>
292 506
293</div> 507</div>
294<h1 id="ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 508<h1 id="ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
326with a watcher-specific start function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_start (loop, watcher 540with a watcher-specific start function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_start (loop, watcher
327*)</code>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 541*)</code>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
328corresponding stop function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_stop (loop, watcher *)</code>.</p> 542corresponding stop function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_stop (loop, watcher *)</code>.</p>
329<p>As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 543<p>As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
330must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 544must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
331reinitialise it or call its set method.</p> 545reinitialise it or call its <code>set</code> macro.</p>
332<p>You can check whether an event is active by calling the <code>ev_is_active
333(watcher *)</code> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the
334callback for it has not been called yet) you can use the <code>ev_is_pending
335(watcher *)</code> macro.</p>
336<p>Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 546<p>Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
337registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 547registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
338third argument.</p> 548third argument.</p>
339<p>The received events usually include a single bit per event type received 549<p>The received events usually include a single bit per event type received
340(you can receive multiple events at the same time). The possible bit masks 550(you can receive multiple events at the same time). The possible bit masks
389your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 599your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope
390with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 600with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded
391programs, though, so beware.</p> 601programs, though, so beware.</p>
392 </dd> 602 </dd>
393</dl> 603</dl>
604
605</div>
606<h2 id="SUMMARY_OF_GENERIC_WATCHER_FUNCTIONS">SUMMARY OF GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS</h2>
607<div id="SUMMARY_OF_GENERIC_WATCHER_FUNCTIONS-2">
608<p>In the following description, <code>TYPE</code> stands for the watcher type,
609e.g. <code>timer</code> for <code>ev_timer</code> watchers and <code>io</code> for <code>ev_io</code> watchers.</p>
610<dl>
611 <dt><code>ev_init</code> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)</dt>
612 <dd>
613 <p>This macro initialises the generic portion of a watcher. The contents
614of the watcher object can be arbitrary (so <code>malloc</code> will do). Only
615the generic parts of the watcher are initialised, you <i>need</i> to call
616the type-specific <code>ev_TYPE_set</code> macro afterwards to initialise the
617type-specific parts. For each type there is also a <code>ev_TYPE_init</code> macro
618which rolls both calls into one.</p>
619 <p>You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
620(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.</p>
621 <p>The callbakc is always of type <code>void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
622int revents)</code>.</p>
623 </dd>
624 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_set</code> (ev_TYPE *, [args])</dt>
625 <dd>
626 <p>This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
627call <code>ev_init</code> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
628call <code>ev_TYPE_set</code> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
629macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
630difference to the <code>ev_init</code> macro).</p>
631 <p>Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
632(e.g. <code>ev_prepare</code>) you still need to call its <code>set</code> macro.</p>
633 </dd>
634 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_init</code> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])</dt>
635 <dd>
636 <p>This convinience macro rolls both <code>ev_init</code> and <code>ev_TYPE_set</code> macro
637calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise
638a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.</p>
639 </dd>
640 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_start</code> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
641 <dd>
642 <p>Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
643events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.</p>
644 </dd>
645 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_stop</code> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
646 <dd>
647 <p>Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending
648status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,
649non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but
650<code>ev_TYPE_stop</code> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If
651you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a
652good idea to always call its <code>ev_TYPE_stop</code> function.</p>
653 </dd>
654 <dt>bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
655 <dd>
656 <p>Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
657and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
658it.</p>
659 </dd>
660 <dt>bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
661 <dd>
662 <p>Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
663events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
664is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
665<code>ev_TYPE_set</code> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to
666libev (e.g. you cnanot <code>free ()</code> it).</p>
667 </dd>
668 <dt>callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
669 <dd>
670 <p>Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.</p>
671 </dd>
672 <dt>ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)</dt>
673 <dd>
674 <p>Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
675(modulo threads).</p>
676 </dd>
677</dl>
678
679
680
681
394 682
395</div> 683</div>
396<h2 id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH">ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER</h2> 684<h2 id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH">ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER</h2>
397<div id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH-2"> 685<div id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH-2">
398<p>Each watcher has, by default, a member <code>void *data</code> that you can change 686<p>Each watcher has, by default, a member <code>void *data</code> that you can change
430<h1 id="WATCHER_TYPES">WATCHER TYPES</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 718<h1 id="WATCHER_TYPES">WATCHER TYPES</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
431<div id="WATCHER_TYPES_CONTENT"> 719<div id="WATCHER_TYPES_CONTENT">
432<p>This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 720<p>This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
433information given in the last section.</p> 721information given in the last section.</p>
434 722
723
724
725
726
435</div> 727</div>
436<h2 id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip"><code>ev_io</code> - is this file descriptor readable or writable</h2> 728<h2 id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip"><code>ev_io</code> - is this file descriptor readable or writable</h2>
437<div id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip-2"> 729<div id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip-2">
438<p>I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 730<p>I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
439in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 731in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
440level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 732level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
441condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 733condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
442act on the event and neither want to receive future events).</p> 734act on the event and neither want to receive future events).</p>
443<p>In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 735<p>In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
444fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 736fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
445descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 737descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
446required if you know what you are doing).</p> 738required if you know what you are doing).</p>
447<p>You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 739<p>You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
448(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 740(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
449descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 741descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
450to the same file/socket etc. description.</p> 742to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share
743the same underlying &quot;file open&quot;).</p>
451<p>If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 744<p>If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
452(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and 745(at the time of this writing, this includes only <code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> and
453EVMETHOD_POLL).</p> 746<code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code>).</p>
454<dl> 747<dl>
455 <dt>ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)</dt> 748 <dt>ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)</dt>
456 <dt>ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)</dt> 749 <dt>ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)</dt>
457 <dd> 750 <dd>
458 <p>Configures an <code>ev_io</code> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 751 <p>Configures an <code>ev_io</code> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive
459events for and events is either <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_READ | 752events for and events is either <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_READ |
460EV_WRITE</code> to receive the given events.</p> 753EV_WRITE</code> to receive the given events.</p>
754 <p>Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example
755epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications
756for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and
757treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe
758interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either
759<code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> or <code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code>, which don't suffer from this
760problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked
761when the readyness condition is no longer valid even when employing
762typical ways of handling events, so its a good idea to use non-blocking
763I/O unconditionally.</p>
461 </dd> 764 </dd>
462</dl> 765</dl>
766<p>Example: call <code>stdin_readable_cb</code> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
767readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
768attempt to read a whole line in the callback:</p>
769<pre> static void
770 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
771 {
772 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
773 .. read from stdin here (or from w-&gt;fd) and haqndle any I/O errors
774 }
775
776 ...
777 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
778 struct ev_io stdin_readable;
779 ev_io_init (&amp;stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
780 ev_io_start (loop, &amp;stdin_readable);
781 ev_loop (loop, 0);
782
783
784
785
786</pre>
463 787
464</div> 788</div>
465<h2 id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti"><code>ev_timer</code> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts</h2> 789<h2 id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti"><code>ev_timer</code> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts</h2>
466<div id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti-2"> 790<div id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti-2">
467<p>Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 791<p>Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
468given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.</p> 792given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.</p>
469<p>The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 793<p>The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
470times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 794times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years
471time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. &quot;Roughly&quot; because 795time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. &quot;Roughly&quot; because
472detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 796detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
473monotonic clock option helps a lot here).</p> 797monotonic clock option helps a lot here).</p>
474<p>The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the <code>ev_now ()</code> 798<p>The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the <code>ev_now ()</code>
475time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 799time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
476of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 800of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
477you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout 801you suspect event processing to be delayed and you <i>need</i> to base the timeout
478ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:</p> 802on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:</p>
479<pre> ev_timer_set (&amp;timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 803<pre> ev_timer_set (&amp;timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
480 804
481</pre> 805</pre>
806<p>The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,
807but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
808order of execution is undefined.</p>
482<dl> 809<dl>
483 <dt>ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt> 810 <dt>ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt>
484 <dt>ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt> 811 <dt>ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt>
485 <dd> 812 <dd>
486 <p>Configure the timer to trigger after <code>after</code> seconds. If <code>repeat</code> is 813 <p>Configure the timer to trigger after <code>after</code> seconds. If <code>repeat</code> is
488timer will automatically be configured to trigger again <code>repeat</code> seconds 815timer will automatically be configured to trigger again <code>repeat</code> seconds
489later, again, and again, until stopped manually.</p> 816later, again, and again, until stopped manually.</p>
490 <p>The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 817 <p>The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you
491configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 818configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
492exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 819exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
493the timer (ecause it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 820the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
494timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.</p> 821timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.</p>
495 </dd> 822 </dd>
496 <dt>ev_timer_again (loop)</dt> 823 <dt>ev_timer_again (loop)</dt>
497 <dd> 824 <dd>
498 <p>This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 825 <p>This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
508time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle 835time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle
509state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop 836state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop
510the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be.</p> 837the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be.</p>
511 </dd> 838 </dd>
512</dl> 839</dl>
840<p>Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.</p>
841<pre> static void
842 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
843 {
844 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
845 }
846
847 struct ev_timer mytimer;
848 ev_timer_init (&amp;mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
849 ev_timer_start (loop, &amp;mytimer);
850
851</pre>
852<p>Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
853inactivity.</p>
854<pre> static void
855 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
856 {
857 .. ten seconds without any activity
858 }
859
860 struct ev_timer mytimer;
861 ev_timer_init (&amp;mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
862 ev_timer_again (&amp;mytimer); /* start timer */
863 ev_loop (loop, 0);
864
865 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any &quot;activity&quot;:
866 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
867 ev_timer_again (&amp;mytimer);
868
869
870
871
872</pre>
513 873
514</div> 874</div>
515<h2 id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not"><code>ev_periodic</code> - to cron or not to cron</h2> 875<h2 id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not"><code>ev_periodic</code> - to cron or not to cron</h2>
516<div id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not-2"> 876<div id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not-2">
517<p>Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 877<p>Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
518(and unfortunately a bit complex).</p> 878(and unfortunately a bit complex).</p>
519<p>Unlike <code>ev_timer</code>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 879<p>Unlike <code>ev_timer</code>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
520but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 880but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
521to trigger &quot;at&quot; some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 881to trigger &quot;at&quot; some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
522periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. c&lt;ev_now () 882periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. <code>ev_now ()
523+ 10.&gt;) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 883+ 10.</code>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will
524take a year to trigger the event (unlike an <code>ev_timer</code>, which would trigger 884take a year to trigger the event (unlike an <code>ev_timer</code>, which would trigger
525roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 885roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
526again).</p> 886again).</p>
527<p>They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 887<p>They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as
528triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time.</p> 888triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time.</p>
889<p>As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
890time (<code>at</code>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
891during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.</p>
529<dl> 892<dl>
530 <dt>ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)</dt> 893 <dt>ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)</dt>
531 <dt>ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)</dt> 894 <dt>ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)</dt>
532 <dd> 895 <dd>
533 <p>Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 896 <p>Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
534operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:</p> 897operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:</p>
535
536
537
538
539 <p> 898 <p>
540 <dl> 899 <dl>
541 <dt>* absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0)</dt> 900 <dt>* absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0)</dt>
542 <dd> 901 <dd>
543 <p>In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 902 <p>In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time
567 <dd> 926 <dd>
568 <p>In this mode the values for <code>interval</code> and <code>at</code> are both being 927 <p>In this mode the values for <code>interval</code> and <code>at</code> are both being
569ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 928ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
570reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 929reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
571current time as second argument.</p> 930current time as second argument.</p>
572 <p>NOTE: <i>This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy the periodic or any other 931 <p>NOTE: <i>This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
573periodic watcher, ever, or make any event loop modifications</i>. If you need 932ever, or make any event loop modifications</i>. If you need to stop it,
574to stop it, return <code>now + 1e30</code> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards.</p> 933return <code>now + 1e30</code> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
575 <p>Also, <i>this callback must always return a time that is later than the 934starting a prepare watcher).</p>
576passed <code>now</code> value</i>. Not even <code>now</code> itself will be ok.</p>
577 <p>Its prototype is <code>ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 935 <p>Its prototype is <code>ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
578ev_tstamp now)</code>, e.g.:</p> 936ev_tstamp now)</code>, e.g.:</p>
579<pre> static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 937<pre> static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
580 { 938 {
581 return now + 60.; 939 return now + 60.;
584</pre> 942</pre>
585 <p>It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 943 <p>It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
586(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 944(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
587will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 945will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
588might be called at other times, too.</p> 946might be called at other times, too.</p>
947 <p>NOTE: <i>This callback must always return a time that is later than the
948passed <code>now</code> value</i>. Not even <code>now</code> itself will do, it <i>must</i> be larger.</p>
589 <p>This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 949 <p>This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
590triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 950triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the
591next midnight after <code>now</code> and return the timestamp value for this. How you do this 951next midnight after <code>now</code> and return the timestamp value for this. How
592is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial).</p> 952you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
953reason I omitted it as an example).</p>
593 </dd> 954 </dd>
594 </dl> 955 </dl>
595 </p> 956 </p>
596 </dd> 957 </dd>
597 <dt>ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)</dt> 958 <dt>ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)</dt>
600when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 961when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
601a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 962a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
602program when the crontabs have changed).</p> 963program when the crontabs have changed).</p>
603 </dd> 964 </dd>
604</dl> 965</dl>
966<p>Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
967system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
968potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.</p>
969<pre> static void
970 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
971 {
972 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
973 }
974
975 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
976 ev_periodic_init (&amp;hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
977 ev_periodic_start (loop, &amp;hourly_tick);
978
979</pre>
980<p>Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:</p>
981<pre> #include &lt;math.h&gt;
982
983 static ev_tstamp
984 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
985 {
986 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
987 }
988
989 ev_periodic_init (&amp;hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
990
991</pre>
992<p>Example: call a callback every hour, starting now:</p>
993<pre> struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
994 ev_periodic_init (&amp;hourly_tick, clock_cb,
995 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
996 ev_periodic_start (loop, &amp;hourly_tick);
997
998
999
1000
1001</pre>
605 1002
606</div> 1003</div>
607<h2 id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a"><code>ev_signal</code> - signal me when a signal gets signalled</h2> 1004<h2 id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a"><code>ev_signal</code> - signal me when a signal gets signalled</h2>
608<div id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a-2"> 1005<div id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a-2">
609<p>Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1006<p>Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
623 <p>Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one 1020 <p>Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one
624of the <code>SIGxxx</code> constants).</p> 1021of the <code>SIGxxx</code> constants).</p>
625 </dd> 1022 </dd>
626</dl> 1023</dl>
627 1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
628</div> 1029</div>
629<h2 id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat"><code>ev_child</code> - wait for pid status changes</h2> 1030<h2 id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat"><code>ev_child</code> - wait for pid status changes</h2>
630<div id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat-2"> 1031<div id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat-2">
631<p>Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1032<p>Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
632some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).</p> 1033some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).</p>
640the status word (use the macros from <code>sys/wait.h</code> and see your systems 1041the status word (use the macros from <code>sys/wait.h</code> and see your systems
641<code>waitpid</code> documentation). The <code>rpid</code> member contains the pid of the 1042<code>waitpid</code> documentation). The <code>rpid</code> member contains the pid of the
642process causing the status change.</p> 1043process causing the status change.</p>
643 </dd> 1044 </dd>
644</dl> 1045</dl>
1046<p>Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.</p>
1047<pre> static void
1048 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1049 {
1050 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1051 }
1052
1053 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1054 ev_signal_init (&amp;signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1055 ev_signal_start (loop, &amp;sigint_cb);
1056
1057
1058
1059
1060</pre>
645 1061
646</div> 1062</div>
647<h2 id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no"><code>ev_idle</code> - when you've got nothing better to do</h2> 1063<h2 id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no"><code>ev_idle</code> - when you've got nothing better to do</h2>
648<div id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no-2"> 1064<div id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no-2">
649<p>Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1065<p>Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending
665 <p>Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1081 <p>Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
666kind. There is a <code>ev_idle_set</code> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1082kind. There is a <code>ev_idle_set</code> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
667believe me.</p> 1083believe me.</p>
668 </dd> 1084 </dd>
669</dl> 1085</dl>
1086<p>Example: dynamically allocate an <code>ev_idle</code>, start it, and in the
1087callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual.</p>
1088<pre> static void
1089 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1090 {
1091 free (w);
1092 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1093 // no longer asnything immediate to do.
1094 }
1095
1096 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1097 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1098 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103</pre>
670 1104
671</div> 1105</div>
672<h2 id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che"><code>ev_prepare</code> and <code>ev_check</code> - customise your event loop</h2> 1106<h2 id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che"><code>ev_prepare</code> and <code>ev_check</code> - customise your event loop</h2>
673<div id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che-2"> 1107<div id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che-2">
674<p>Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1108<p>Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
675Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 1109prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
676afterwards.</p> 1110afterwards.</p>
677<p>Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 1111<p>Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
678could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 1112their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track
679watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.</p> 1113variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1114coroutine library and lots more.</p>
680<p>This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1115<p>This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
681to be watched by the other library, registering <code>ev_io</code> watchers for 1116to be watched by the other library, registering <code>ev_io</code> watchers for
682them and starting an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1117them and starting an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
683provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1118provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
684any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 1119any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
685and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 1120and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
686callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles, 1121callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
687because you never know, you know?).</p> 1122because you never know, you know?).</p>
688<p>As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 1123<p>As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
689coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 1124coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
690during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 1125during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
691are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines 1126are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
692with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once, 1127with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
693using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority 1128of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
694coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background 1129loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
695tasks).</p> 1130low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).</p>
696<dl> 1131<dl>
697 <dt>ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)</dt> 1132 <dt>ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)</dt>
698 <dt>ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)</dt> 1133 <dt>ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)</dt>
699 <dd> 1134 <dd>
700 <p>Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 1135 <p>Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
701parameters of any kind. There are <code>ev_prepare_set</code> and <code>ev_check_set</code> 1136parameters of any kind. There are <code>ev_prepare_set</code> and <code>ev_check_set</code>
702macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.</p> 1137macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.</p>
703 </dd> 1138 </dd>
704</dl> 1139</dl>
1140<p>Example: *TODO*.</p>
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146</div>
1147<h2 id="code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_"><code>ev_embed</code> - when one backend isn't enough</h2>
1148<div id="code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_-2">
1149<p>This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1150into another (currently only <code>ev_io</code> events are supported in the embedded
1151loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1152fashion and must not be used).</p>
1153<p>There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and
1154prioritise I/O.</p>
1155<p>As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1156sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1157still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1158so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it
1159into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will
1160be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but
1161at least you can use both at what they are best.</p>
1162<p>As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have
1163to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even
1164priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case
1165you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in
1166a second one, and embed the second one in the first.</p>
1167<p>As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1168there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1169call <code>ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)</code> to make a single sweep and invoke
1170their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
1171loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback
1172to <code>0</code>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the
1173embedded loop sweep.</p>
1174<p>As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The
1175callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can
1176set the callback to <code>0</code> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1177interested in that.</p>
1178<p>Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
1179when you fork, you not only have to call <code>ev_loop_fork</code> on both loops,
1180but you will also have to stop and restart any <code>ev_embed</code> watchers
1181yourself.</p>
1182<p>Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by
1183<code>ev_embeddable_backends</code> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1184portable one.</p>
1185<p>So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1186that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1187this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1188create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything:</p>
1189<pre> struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
1190 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1191 struct ev_embed embed;
1192
1193 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1194 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1195 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () &amp; ev_recommended_backends ()
1196 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () &amp; ev_recommended_backends ())
1197 : 0;
1198
1199 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1200 if (loop_lo)
1201 {
1202 ev_embed_init (&amp;embed, 0, loop_lo);
1203 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &amp;embed);
1204 }
1205 else
1206 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1207
1208</pre>
1209<dl>
1210 <dt>ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)</dt>
1211 <dt>ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)</dt>
1212 <dd>
1213 <p>Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1214embeddable. If the callback is <code>0</code>, then <code>ev_embed_sweep</code> will be
1215invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1216to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1217if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).</p>
1218 </dd>
1219 <dt>ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)</dt>
1220 <dd>
1221 <p>Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1222similarly to <code>ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)</code>, but in the most
1223apropriate way for embedded loops.</p>
1224 </dd>
1225</dl>
1226
1227
1228
1229
705 1230
706</div> 1231</div>
707<h1 id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS">OTHER FUNCTIONS</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 1232<h1 id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS">OTHER FUNCTIONS</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
708<div id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS_CONTENT"> 1233<div id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS_CONTENT">
709<p>There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.</p> 1234<p>There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.</p>
711 <dt>ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)</dt> 1236 <dt>ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)</dt>
712 <dd> 1237 <dd>
713 <p>This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 1238 <p>This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
714callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 1239callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
715watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 1240watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
716or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 1241or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
717more watchers yourself.</p> 1242more watchers yourself.</p>
718 <p>If <code>fd</code> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 1243 <p>If <code>fd</code> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
719is being ignored. Otherwise, an <code>ev_io</code> watcher for the given <code>fd</code> and 1244is being ignored. Otherwise, an <code>ev_io</code> watcher for the given <code>fd</code> and
720<code>events</code> set will be craeted and started.</p> 1245<code>events</code> set will be craeted and started.</p>
721 <p>If <code>timeout</code> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 1246 <p>If <code>timeout</code> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
722started. Otherwise an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher with after = <code>timeout</code> (and 1247started. Otherwise an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher with after = <code>timeout</code> (and
723repeat = 0) will be started. While <code>0</code> is a valid timeout, it is of 1248repeat = 0) will be started. While <code>0</code> is a valid timeout, it is of
724dubious value.</p> 1249dubious value.</p>
725 <p>The callback has the type <code>void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)</code> and gets 1250 <p>The callback has the type <code>void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)</code> and gets
726passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of 1251passed an <code>revents</code> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
727<code>EV_ERROR</code>, <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_TIMEOUT</code>) and the <code>arg</code> 1252<code>EV_ERROR</code>, <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_TIMEOUT</code>) and the <code>arg</code>
728value passed to <code>ev_once</code>:</p> 1253value passed to <code>ev_once</code>:</p>
729<pre> static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 1254<pre> static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
730 { 1255 {
731 if (revents &amp; EV_TIMEOUT) 1256 if (revents &amp; EV_TIMEOUT)
736 1261
737 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 1262 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
738 1263
739</pre> 1264</pre>
740 </dd> 1265 </dd>
741 <dt>ev_feed_event (loop, watcher, int events)</dt> 1266 <dt>ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)</dt>
742 <dd> 1267 <dd>
743 <p>Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 1268 <p>Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
744had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 1269had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
745initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).</p> 1270initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).</p>
746 </dd> 1271 </dd>
747 <dt>ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)</dt> 1272 <dt>ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)</dt>
748 <dd> 1273 <dd>
749 <p>Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 1274 <p>Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
750the given events it.</p> 1275the given events it.</p>
751 </dd> 1276 </dd>
752 <dt>ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)</dt> 1277 <dt>ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)</dt>
753 <dd> 1278 <dd>
754 <p>Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).</p> 1279 <p>Feed an event as if the given signal occured (<code>loop</code> must be the default
1280loop!).</p>
755 </dd> 1281 </dd>
756</dl> 1282</dl>
1283
1284
1285
1286
1287
1288</div>
1289<h1 id="LIBEVENT_EMULATION">LIBEVENT EMULATION</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
1290<div id="LIBEVENT_EMULATION_CONTENT">
1291<p>Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
1292emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:</p>
1293<dl>
1294 <dt>* Use it by including &lt;event.h&gt;, as usual.</dt>
1295 <dt>* The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
1296ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.</dt>
1297 <dt>* Avoid using ev_flags and the EVLIST_*-macros, while it is
1298maintained by libev, it does not work exactly the same way as in libevent (consider
1299it a private API).</dt>
1300 <dt>* Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1301will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1302is an ev_pri field.</dt>
1303 <dt>* Other members are not supported.</dt>
1304 <dt>* The libev emulation is <i>not</i> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1305to use the libev header file and library.</dt>
1306</dl>
1307
1308</div>
1309<h1 id="C_SUPPORT">C++ SUPPORT</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
1310<div id="C_SUPPORT_CONTENT">
1311<p>Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1312you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1313the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.</p>
1314<p>To use it,</p>
1315<pre> #include &lt;ev++.h&gt;
1316
1317</pre>
1318<p>(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes <cite>ev.h</cite>
1319and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global
1320namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the <code>ev</code> namespace.</p>
1321<p>It should support all the same embedding options as <cite>ev.h</cite>, most notably
1322<code>EV_MULTIPLICITY</code>.</p>
1323<p>Here is a list of things available in the <code>ev</code> namespace:</p>
1324<dl>
1325 <dt><code>ev::READ</code>, <code>ev::WRITE</code> etc.</dt>
1326 <dd>
1327 <p>These are just enum values with the same values as the <code>EV_READ</code> etc.
1328macros from <cite>ev.h</cite>.</p>
1329 </dd>
1330 <dt><code>ev::tstamp</code>, <code>ev::now</code></dt>
1331 <dd>
1332 <p>Aliases to the same types/functions as with the <code>ev_</code> prefix.</p>
1333 </dd>
1334 <dt><code>ev::io</code>, <code>ev::timer</code>, <code>ev::periodic</code>, <code>ev::idle</code>, <code>ev::sig</code> etc.</dt>
1335 <dd>
1336 <p>For each <code>ev_TYPE</code> watcher in <cite>ev.h</cite> there is a corresponding class of
1337the same name in the <code>ev</code> namespace, with the exception of <code>ev_signal</code>
1338which is called <code>ev::sig</code> to avoid clashes with the <code>signal</code> macro
1339defines by many implementations.</p>
1340 <p>All of those classes have these methods:</p>
1341 <p>
1342 <dl>
1343 <dt>ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *)</dt>
1344 <dt>ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *)</dt>
1345 <dt>ev::TYPE::~TYPE</dt>
1346 <dd>
1347 <p>The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to
1348the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls
1349<code>ev_init</code> for you, which means you have to call the <code>set</code> method
1350before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor
1351automatically associates the default loop with this watcher.</p>
1352 <p>The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.</p>
1353 </dd>
1354 <dt>w-&gt;set (struct ev_loop *)</dt>
1355 <dd>
1356 <p>Associates a different <code>struct ev_loop</code> with this watcher. You can only
1357do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).</p>
1358 </dd>
1359 <dt>w-&gt;set ([args])</dt>
1360 <dd>
1361 <p>Basically the same as <code>ev_TYPE_set</code>, with the same args. Must be
1362called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1363automatically stopped and restarted.</p>
1364 </dd>
1365 <dt>w-&gt;start ()</dt>
1366 <dd>
1367 <p>Starts the watcher. Note that there is no <code>loop</code> argument as the
1368constructor already takes the loop.</p>
1369 </dd>
1370 <dt>w-&gt;stop ()</dt>
1371 <dd>
1372 <p>Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no <code>loop</code> argument.</p>
1373 </dd>
1374 <dt>w-&gt;again () <code>ev::timer</code>, <code>ev::periodic</code> only</dt>
1375 <dd>
1376 <p>For <code>ev::timer</code> and <code>ev::periodic</code>, this invokes the corresponding
1377<code>ev_TYPE_again</code> function.</p>
1378 </dd>
1379 <dt>w-&gt;sweep () <code>ev::embed</code> only</dt>
1380 <dd>
1381 <p>Invokes <code>ev_embed_sweep</code>.</p>
1382 </dd>
1383 </dl>
1384 </p>
1385 </dd>
1386</dl>
1387<p>Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1388the constructor.</p>
1389<pre> class myclass
1390 {
1391 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &amp;w, int revents);
1392 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &amp;w, int revents);
1393
1394 myclass ();
1395 }
1396
1397 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1398 : io (this, &amp;myclass::io_cb),
1399 idle (this, &amp;myclass::idle_cb)
1400 {
1401 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1402 }
1403
1404</pre>
757 1405
758</div> 1406</div>
759<h1 id="AUTHOR">AUTHOR</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 1407<h1 id="AUTHOR">AUTHOR</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
760<div id="AUTHOR_CONTENT"> 1408<div id="AUTHOR_CONTENT">
761<p>Marc Lehmann &lt;libev@schmorp.de&gt;.</p> 1409<p>Marc Lehmann &lt;libev@schmorp.de&gt;.</p>

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