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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 10:02:16 2007" /> 9 <meta name="created" content="Sat Nov 24 08:13:46 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">
104<p>These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 113<p>These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
105library in any way.</p> 114library in any way.</p>
106<dl> 115<dl>
107 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_time ()</dt> 116 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_time ()</dt>
108 <dd> 117 <dd>
109 <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>
110 </dd> 121 </dd>
111 <dt>int ev_version_major ()</dt> 122 <dt>int ev_version_major ()</dt>
112 <dt>int ev_version_minor ()</dt> 123 <dt>int ev_version_minor ()</dt>
113 <dd> 124 <dd>
114 <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
118version of the library your program was compiled against.</p> 129version of the library your program was compiled against.</p>
119 <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,
120as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 131as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
121compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 132compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
122not 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>
123 </dd> 172 </dd>
124 <dt>ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))</dt> 173 <dt>ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))</dt>
125 <dd> 174 <dd>
126 <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
127realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 176realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate
129needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 178needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially
130destructive action. The default is your system realloc function.</p> 179destructive action. The default is your system realloc function.</p>
131 <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,
132free 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,
133or 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>
134 </dd> 203 </dd>
135 <dt>ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));</dt> 204 <dt>ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));</dt>
136 <dd> 205 <dd>
137 <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
138as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 207as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
139indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 208indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
140callback 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
141matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 210matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
142requested 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
143(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>
144 </dd> 225 </dd>
145</dl> 226</dl>
146 227
147</div> 228</div>
148<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>
160 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)</dt> 241 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)</dt>
161 <dd> 242 <dd>
162 <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
163yet 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
164false. 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
165flags).</p> 246flags. If that is troubling you, check <code>ev_backend ()</code> afterwards).</p>
166 <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
167function.</p> 248function.</p>
168 <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
169backends 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>
170 <p>It supports the following flags:</p> 251 <p>The following flags are supported:</p>
171 <p> 252 <p>
172 <dl> 253 <dl>
173 <dt><code>EVFLAG_AUTO</code></dt> 254 <dt><code>EVFLAG_AUTO</code></dt>
174 <dd> 255 <dd>
175 <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
182<code>LIBEV_FLAGS</code>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 263<code>LIBEV_FLAGS</code>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
183override 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
184useful 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
185around bugs.</p> 266around bugs.</p>
186 </dd> 267 </dd>
187 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_SELECT</code> (portable select backend)</dt> 268 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> (value 1, portable select backend)</dt>
188 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_POLL</code> (poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)</dt>
189 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_EPOLL</code> (linux only)</dt>
190 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_KQUEUE</code> (some bsds only)</dt>
191 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_DEVPOLL</code> (solaris 8 only)</dt>
192 <dt><code>EVMETHOD_PORT</code> (solaris 10 only)</dt>
193 <dd> 269 <dd>
194 <p>If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 270 <p>This is your standard select(2) backend. Not <i>completely</i> standard, as
195backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If one are 271libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
196specified, any backend will do.</p> 272but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
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>
275 </dd>
276 <dt><code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)</dt>
277 <dd>
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>
197 </dd> 329 </dd>
198 </dl> 330 </dl>
199 </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>
200 </dd> 352 </dd>
201 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)</dt> 353 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)</dt>
202 <dd> 354 <dd>
203 <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
204always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 356always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
205handle 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
206undefined 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>
207 </dd> 365 </dd>
208 <dt>ev_default_destroy ()</dt> 366 <dt>ev_default_destroy ()</dt>
209 <dd> 367 <dd>
210 <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
211etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in 369etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in
220 <dd> 378 <dd>
221 <p>This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 379 <p>This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have
222one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 380one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense
223after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 381after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that
224again makes little sense).</p> 382again makes little sense).</p>
225 <p>You <i>must</i> call this function after forking if and only if you want to 383 <p>You <i>must</i> call this function in the child process after forking if and
226use the event library in both processes. If you just fork+exec, you don't 384only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just
227have to call it.</p> 385fork+exec, you don't have to call it.</p>
228 <p>The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 386 <p>The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
229it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 387it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
230quite nicely into a call to <code>pthread_atfork</code>:</p> 388quite nicely into a call to <code>pthread_atfork</code>:</p>
231<pre> pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 389<pre> pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
232 390
233</pre> 391</pre>
392 <p>At the moment, <code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> and <code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code> are safe to use
393without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
394do not need to care.</p>
234 </dd> 395 </dd>
235 <dt>ev_loop_fork (loop)</dt> 396 <dt>ev_loop_fork (loop)</dt>
236 <dd> 397 <dd>
237 <p>Like <code>ev_default_fork</code>, but acts on an event loop created by 398 <p>Like <code>ev_default_fork</code>, but acts on an event loop created by
238<code>ev_loop_new</code>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 399<code>ev_loop_new</code>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
239after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.</p> 400after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.</p>
240 </dd> 401 </dd>
241 <dt>unsigned int ev_method (loop)</dt> 402 <dt>unsigned int ev_backend (loop)</dt>
242 <dd> 403 <dd>
243 <p>Returns one of the <code>EVMETHOD_*</code> flags indicating the event backend in 404 <p>Returns one of the <code>EVBACKEND_*</code> flags indicating the event backend in
244use.</p> 405use.</p>
245 </dd> 406 </dd>
246 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_now (loop)</dt> 407 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_now (loop)</dt>
247 <dd> 408 <dd>
248 <p>Returns the current &quot;event loop time&quot;, which is the time the event loop 409 <p>Returns the current &quot;event loop time&quot;, which is the time the event loop
249got events and started processing them. This timestamp does not change 410received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
250as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base time 411change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
251used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the event 412time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
252occuring (or more correctly, the mainloop finding out about it).</p> 413event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).</p>
253 </dd> 414 </dd>
254 <dt>ev_loop (loop, int flags)</dt> 415 <dt>ev_loop (loop, int flags)</dt>
255 <dd> 416 <dd>
256 <p>Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 417 <p>Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
257after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 418after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
258events.</p> 419events.</p>
259 <p>If the flags argument is specified as 0, it will not return until either 420 <p>If the flags argument is specified as <code>0</code>, it will not return until
260no event watchers are active anymore or <code>ev_unloop</code> was called.</p> 421either no event watchers are active anymore or <code>ev_unloop</code> was called.</p>
422 <p>Please note that an explicit <code>ev_unloop</code> is usually better than
423relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
424finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that
425automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of
426relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty.</p>
261 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_NONBLOCK</code> will look for new events, will handle 427 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_NONBLOCK</code> will look for new events, will handle
262those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 428those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
263case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.</p> 429case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.</p>
264 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_ONESHOT</code> will look for new events (waiting if 430 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_ONESHOT</code> will look for new events (waiting if
265neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 431neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
266your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 432your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
267one iteration of the loop.</p> 433one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some
268 <p>This flags value could be used to implement alternative looping 434external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
269constructs, but the <code>prepare</code> and <code>check</code> watchers provide a better and 435libev watchers. However, a pair of <code>ev_prepare</code>/<code>ev_check</code> watchers is
270more generic mechanism.</p> 436usually a better approach for this kind of thing.</p>
437 <p>Here are the gory details of what <code>ev_loop</code> does:</p>
438<pre> * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.
439 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.
440 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
441 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
442 - Update the &quot;event loop time&quot;.
443 - Calculate for how long to block.
444 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
445 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
446 - Update the &quot;event loop time&quot; and do time jump handling.
447 - Queue all outstanding timers.
448 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
449 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
450 - Queue all check watchers.
451 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
452 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
453 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
454 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
455 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
456
457</pre>
458 <p>Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding
459anymore.</p>
460<pre> ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
461 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
462 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
463 ... jobs done. yeah!
464
465</pre>
271 </dd> 466 </dd>
272 <dt>ev_unloop (loop, how)</dt> 467 <dt>ev_unloop (loop, how)</dt>
273 <dd> 468 <dd>
274 <p>Can be used to make a call to <code>ev_loop</code> return early (but only after it 469 <p>Can be used to make a call to <code>ev_loop</code> return early (but only after it
275has processed all outstanding events). The <code>how</code> argument must be either 470has processed all outstanding events). The <code>how</code> argument must be either
276<code>EVUNLOOP_ONCE</code>, which will make the innermost <code>ev_loop</code> call return, or 471<code>EVUNLOOP_ONE</code>, which will make the innermost <code>ev_loop</code> call return, or
277<code>EVUNLOOP_ALL</code>, which will make all nested <code>ev_loop</code> calls return.</p> 472<code>EVUNLOOP_ALL</code>, which will make all nested <code>ev_loop</code> calls return.</p>
278 </dd> 473 </dd>
279 <dt>ev_ref (loop)</dt> 474 <dt>ev_ref (loop)</dt>
280 <dt>ev_unref (loop)</dt> 475 <dt>ev_unref (loop)</dt>
281 <dd> 476 <dd>
287example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 482example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not
288visible to the libev user and should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from exiting if 483visible to the libev user and should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from exiting if
289no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 484no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
290way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 485way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
291libraries. Just remember to <i>unref after start</i> and <i>ref before stop</i>.</p> 486libraries. Just remember to <i>unref after start</i> and <i>ref before stop</i>.</p>
487 <p>Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping <code>ev_loop</code>
488running when nothing else is active.</p>
489<pre> struct dv_signal exitsig;
490 ev_signal_init (&amp;exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
491 ev_signal_start (myloop, &amp;exitsig);
492 evf_unref (myloop);
493
494</pre>
495 <p>Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.</p>
496<pre> ev_ref (myloop);
497 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &amp;exitsig);
498
499</pre>
292 </dd> 500 </dd>
293</dl> 501</dl>
294 502
295</div> 503</div>
296<h1 id="ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 504<h1 id="ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
328with a watcher-specific start function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_start (loop, watcher 536with a watcher-specific start function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_start (loop, watcher
329*)</code>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 537*)</code>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
330corresponding stop function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_stop (loop, watcher *)</code>.</p> 538corresponding stop function (<code>ev_&lt;type&gt;_stop (loop, watcher *)</code>.</p>
331<p>As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 539<p>As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
332must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 540must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
333reinitialise it or call its set method.</p> 541reinitialise it or call its <code>set</code> macro.</p>
334<p>You can check whether an event is active by calling the <code>ev_is_active
335(watcher *)</code> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the
336callback for it has not been called yet) you can use the <code>ev_is_pending
337(watcher *)</code> macro.</p>
338<p>Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 542<p>Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
339registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 543registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
340third argument.</p> 544third argument.</p>
341<p>The received events usually include a single bit per event type received 545<p>The received events usually include a single bit per event type received
342(you can receive multiple events at the same time). The possible bit masks 546(you can receive multiple events at the same time). The possible bit masks
391your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 595your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope
392with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 596with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded
393programs, though, so beware.</p> 597programs, though, so beware.</p>
394 </dd> 598 </dd>
395</dl> 599</dl>
600
601</div>
602<h2 id="SUMMARY_OF_GENERIC_WATCHER_FUNCTIONS">SUMMARY OF GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS</h2>
603<div id="SUMMARY_OF_GENERIC_WATCHER_FUNCTIONS-2">
604<p>In the following description, <code>TYPE</code> stands for the watcher type,
605e.g. <code>timer</code> for <code>ev_timer</code> watchers and <code>io</code> for <code>ev_io</code> watchers.</p>
606<dl>
607 <dt><code>ev_init</code> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)</dt>
608 <dd>
609 <p>This macro initialises the generic portion of a watcher. The contents
610of the watcher object can be arbitrary (so <code>malloc</code> will do). Only
611the generic parts of the watcher are initialised, you <i>need</i> to call
612the type-specific <code>ev_TYPE_set</code> macro afterwards to initialise the
613type-specific parts. For each type there is also a <code>ev_TYPE_init</code> macro
614which rolls both calls into one.</p>
615 <p>You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
616(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.</p>
617 <p>The callbakc is always of type <code>void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
618int revents)</code>.</p>
619 </dd>
620 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_set</code> (ev_TYPE *, [args])</dt>
621 <dd>
622 <p>This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
623call <code>ev_init</code> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
624call <code>ev_TYPE_set</code> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
625macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
626difference to the <code>ev_init</code> macro).</p>
627 <p>Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
628(e.g. <code>ev_prepare</code>) you still need to call its <code>set</code> macro.</p>
629 </dd>
630 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_init</code> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])</dt>
631 <dd>
632 <p>This convinience macro rolls both <code>ev_init</code> and <code>ev_TYPE_set</code> macro
633calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise
634a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.</p>
635 </dd>
636 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_start</code> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
637 <dd>
638 <p>Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
639events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.</p>
640 </dd>
641 <dt><code>ev_TYPE_stop</code> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
642 <dd>
643 <p>Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending
644status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,
645non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but
646<code>ev_TYPE_stop</code> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If
647you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a
648good idea to always call its <code>ev_TYPE_stop</code> function.</p>
649 </dd>
650 <dt>bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
651 <dd>
652 <p>Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
653and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
654it.</p>
655 </dd>
656 <dt>bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
657 <dd>
658 <p>Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
659events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
660is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
661<code>ev_TYPE_set</code> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to
662libev (e.g. you cnanot <code>free ()</code> it).</p>
663 </dd>
664 <dt>callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)</dt>
665 <dd>
666 <p>Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.</p>
667 </dd>
668 <dt>ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)</dt>
669 <dd>
670 <p>Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
671(modulo threads).</p>
672 </dd>
673</dl>
674
675
676
677
396 678
397</div> 679</div>
398<h2 id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH">ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER</h2> 680<h2 id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH">ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER</h2>
399<div id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH-2"> 681<div id="ASSOCIATING_CUSTOM_DATA_WITH_A_WATCH-2">
400<p>Each watcher has, by default, a member <code>void *data</code> that you can change 682<p>Each watcher has, by default, a member <code>void *data</code> that you can change
432<h1 id="WATCHER_TYPES">WATCHER TYPES</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 714<h1 id="WATCHER_TYPES">WATCHER TYPES</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
433<div id="WATCHER_TYPES_CONTENT"> 715<div id="WATCHER_TYPES_CONTENT">
434<p>This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 716<p>This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
435information given in the last section.</p> 717information given in the last section.</p>
436 718
719
720
721
722
437</div> 723</div>
438<h2 id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip"><code>ev_io</code> - is this file descriptor readable or writable</h2> 724<h2 id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip"><code>ev_io</code> - is this file descriptor readable or writable</h2>
439<div id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip-2"> 725<div id="code_ev_io_code_is_this_file_descrip-2">
440<p>I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 726<p>I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
441in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 727in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
442level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 728level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
443condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 729condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
444act on the event and neither want to receive future events).</p> 730act on the event and neither want to receive future events).</p>
445<p>In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 731<p>In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
446fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 732fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
447descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 733descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
448required if you know what you are doing).</p> 734required if you know what you are doing).</p>
449<p>You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 735<p>You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
450(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 736(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
451descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 737descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
452to the same file/socket etc. description.</p> 738to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share
739the same underlying &quot;file open&quot;).</p>
453<p>If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 740<p>If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
454(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and 741(at the time of this writing, this includes only <code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> and
455EVMETHOD_POLL).</p> 742<code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code>).</p>
456<dl> 743<dl>
457 <dt>ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)</dt> 744 <dt>ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)</dt>
458 <dt>ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)</dt> 745 <dt>ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)</dt>
459 <dd> 746 <dd>
460 <p>Configures an <code>ev_io</code> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 747 <p>Configures an <code>ev_io</code> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive
461events for and events is either <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_READ | 748events for and events is either <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_READ |
462EV_WRITE</code> to receive the given events.</p> 749EV_WRITE</code> to receive the given events.</p>
750 <p>Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example
751epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications
752for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and
753treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe
754interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either
755<code>EVBACKEND_SELECT</code> or <code>EVBACKEND_POLL</code>, which don't suffer from this
756problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked
757when the readyness condition is no longer valid even when employing
758typical ways of handling events, so its a good idea to use non-blocking
759I/O unconditionally.</p>
463 </dd> 760 </dd>
464</dl> 761</dl>
762<p>Example: call <code>stdin_readable_cb</code> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
763readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
764attempt to read a whole line in the callback:</p>
765<pre> static void
766 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
767 {
768 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
769 .. read from stdin here (or from w-&gt;fd) and haqndle any I/O errors
770 }
771
772 ...
773 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
774 struct ev_io stdin_readable;
775 ev_io_init (&amp;stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
776 ev_io_start (loop, &amp;stdin_readable);
777 ev_loop (loop, 0);
778
779
780
781
782</pre>
465 783
466</div> 784</div>
467<h2 id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti"><code>ev_timer</code> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts</h2> 785<h2 id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti"><code>ev_timer</code> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts</h2>
468<div id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti-2"> 786<div id="code_ev_timer_code_relative_and_opti-2">
469<p>Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 787<p>Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
470given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.</p> 788given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.</p>
471<p>The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 789<p>The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
472times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 790times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years
473time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. &quot;Roughly&quot; because 791time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. &quot;Roughly&quot; because
474detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 792detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
475monotonic clock option helps a lot here).</p> 793monotonic clock option helps a lot here).</p>
476<p>The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the <code>ev_now ()</code> 794<p>The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the <code>ev_now ()</code>
477time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 795time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
478of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 796of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
479you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout 797you suspect event processing to be delayed and you <i>need</i> to base the timeout
480ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:</p> 798on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:</p>
481<pre> ev_timer_set (&amp;timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 799<pre> ev_timer_set (&amp;timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
482 800
483</pre> 801</pre>
802<p>The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,
803but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
804order of execution is undefined.</p>
484<dl> 805<dl>
485 <dt>ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt> 806 <dt>ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt>
486 <dt>ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt> 807 <dt>ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt>
487 <dd> 808 <dd>
488 <p>Configure the timer to trigger after <code>after</code> seconds. If <code>repeat</code> is 809 <p>Configure the timer to trigger after <code>after</code> seconds. If <code>repeat</code> is
490timer will automatically be configured to trigger again <code>repeat</code> seconds 811timer will automatically be configured to trigger again <code>repeat</code> seconds
491later, again, and again, until stopped manually.</p> 812later, again, and again, until stopped manually.</p>
492 <p>The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 813 <p>The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you
493configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 814configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
494exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 815exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
495the timer (ecause it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 816the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
496timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.</p> 817timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.</p>
497 </dd> 818 </dd>
498 <dt>ev_timer_again (loop)</dt> 819 <dt>ev_timer_again (loop)</dt>
499 <dd> 820 <dd>
500 <p>This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 821 <p>This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
510time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle 831time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle
511state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop 832state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop
512the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be.</p> 833the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be.</p>
513 </dd> 834 </dd>
514</dl> 835</dl>
836<p>Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.</p>
837<pre> static void
838 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
839 {
840 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
841 }
842
843 struct ev_timer mytimer;
844 ev_timer_init (&amp;mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
845 ev_timer_start (loop, &amp;mytimer);
846
847</pre>
848<p>Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
849inactivity.</p>
850<pre> static void
851 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
852 {
853 .. ten seconds without any activity
854 }
855
856 struct ev_timer mytimer;
857 ev_timer_init (&amp;mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
858 ev_timer_again (&amp;mytimer); /* start timer */
859 ev_loop (loop, 0);
860
861 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any &quot;activity&quot;:
862 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
863 ev_timer_again (&amp;mytimer);
864
865
866
867
868</pre>
515 869
516</div> 870</div>
517<h2 id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not"><code>ev_periodic</code> - to cron or not to cron</h2> 871<h2 id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not"><code>ev_periodic</code> - to cron or not to cron</h2>
518<div id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not-2"> 872<div id="code_ev_periodic_code_to_cron_or_not-2">
519<p>Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 873<p>Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
526take a year to trigger the event (unlike an <code>ev_timer</code>, which would trigger 880take a year to trigger the event (unlike an <code>ev_timer</code>, which would trigger
527roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 881roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
528again).</p> 882again).</p>
529<p>They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 883<p>They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as
530triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time.</p> 884triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time.</p>
885<p>As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
886time (<code>at</code>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
887during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.</p>
531<dl> 888<dl>
532 <dt>ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)</dt> 889 <dt>ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)</dt>
533 <dt>ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)</dt> 890 <dt>ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)</dt>
534 <dd> 891 <dd>
535 <p>Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 892 <p>Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
536operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:</p> 893operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:</p>
537
538
539
540
541 <p> 894 <p>
542 <dl> 895 <dl>
543 <dt>* absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0)</dt> 896 <dt>* absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0)</dt>
544 <dd> 897 <dd>
545 <p>In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 898 <p>In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time
604when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 957when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
605a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 958a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
606program when the crontabs have changed).</p> 959program when the crontabs have changed).</p>
607 </dd> 960 </dd>
608</dl> 961</dl>
962<p>Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
963system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
964potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.</p>
965<pre> static void
966 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
967 {
968 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
969 }
970
971 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
972 ev_periodic_init (&amp;hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
973 ev_periodic_start (loop, &amp;hourly_tick);
974
975</pre>
976<p>Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:</p>
977<pre> #include &lt;math.h&gt;
978
979 static ev_tstamp
980 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
981 {
982 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
983 }
984
985 ev_periodic_init (&amp;hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
986
987</pre>
988<p>Example: call a callback every hour, starting now:</p>
989<pre> struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
990 ev_periodic_init (&amp;hourly_tick, clock_cb,
991 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
992 ev_periodic_start (loop, &amp;hourly_tick);
993
994
995
996
997</pre>
609 998
610</div> 999</div>
611<h2 id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a"><code>ev_signal</code> - signal me when a signal gets signalled</h2> 1000<h2 id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a"><code>ev_signal</code> - signal me when a signal gets signalled</h2>
612<div id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a-2"> 1001<div id="code_ev_signal_code_signal_me_when_a-2">
613<p>Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1002<p>Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
627 <p>Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one 1016 <p>Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one
628of the <code>SIGxxx</code> constants).</p> 1017of the <code>SIGxxx</code> constants).</p>
629 </dd> 1018 </dd>
630</dl> 1019</dl>
631 1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
632</div> 1025</div>
633<h2 id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat"><code>ev_child</code> - wait for pid status changes</h2> 1026<h2 id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat"><code>ev_child</code> - wait for pid status changes</h2>
634<div id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat-2"> 1027<div id="code_ev_child_code_wait_for_pid_stat-2">
635<p>Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1028<p>Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
636some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).</p> 1029some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).</p>
644the status word (use the macros from <code>sys/wait.h</code> and see your systems 1037the status word (use the macros from <code>sys/wait.h</code> and see your systems
645<code>waitpid</code> documentation). The <code>rpid</code> member contains the pid of the 1038<code>waitpid</code> documentation). The <code>rpid</code> member contains the pid of the
646process causing the status change.</p> 1039process causing the status change.</p>
647 </dd> 1040 </dd>
648</dl> 1041</dl>
1042<p>Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.</p>
1043<pre> static void
1044 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1045 {
1046 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1047 }
1048
1049 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1050 ev_signal_init (&amp;signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1051 ev_signal_start (loop, &amp;sigint_cb);
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056</pre>
649 1057
650</div> 1058</div>
651<h2 id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no"><code>ev_idle</code> - when you've got nothing better to do</h2> 1059<h2 id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no"><code>ev_idle</code> - when you've got nothing better to do</h2>
652<div id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no-2"> 1060<div id="code_ev_idle_code_when_you_ve_got_no-2">
653<p>Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1061<p>Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending
669 <p>Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1077 <p>Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
670kind. There is a <code>ev_idle_set</code> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1078kind. There is a <code>ev_idle_set</code> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
671believe me.</p> 1079believe me.</p>
672 </dd> 1080 </dd>
673</dl> 1081</dl>
1082<p>Example: dynamically allocate an <code>ev_idle</code>, start it, and in the
1083callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual.</p>
1084<pre> static void
1085 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1086 {
1087 free (w);
1088 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1089 // no longer asnything immediate to do.
1090 }
1091
1092 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1093 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1094 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099</pre>
674 1100
675</div> 1101</div>
676<h2 id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che"><code>ev_prepare</code> and <code>ev_check</code> - customise your event loop</h2> 1102<h2 id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che"><code>ev_prepare</code> and <code>ev_check</code> - customise your event loop</h2>
677<div id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che-2"> 1103<div id="code_ev_prepare_code_and_code_ev_che-2">
678<p>Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1104<p>Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
679Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 1105prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
680afterwards.</p> 1106afterwards.</p>
681<p>Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 1107<p>Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
682could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 1108their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track
683watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.</p> 1109variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1110coroutine library and lots more.</p>
684<p>This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1111<p>This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
685to be watched by the other library, registering <code>ev_io</code> watchers for 1112to be watched by the other library, registering <code>ev_io</code> watchers for
686them and starting an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1113them and starting an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
687provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1114provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
688any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 1115any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
689and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 1116and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
690callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles, 1117callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
691because you never know, you know?).</p> 1118because you never know, you know?).</p>
692<p>As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 1119<p>As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
693coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 1120coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
694during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 1121during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
695are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines 1122are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
696with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once, 1123with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
697using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority 1124of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
698coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background 1125loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
699tasks).</p> 1126low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).</p>
700<dl> 1127<dl>
701 <dt>ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)</dt> 1128 <dt>ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)</dt>
702 <dt>ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)</dt> 1129 <dt>ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)</dt>
703 <dd> 1130 <dd>
704 <p>Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 1131 <p>Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
705parameters of any kind. There are <code>ev_prepare_set</code> and <code>ev_check_set</code> 1132parameters of any kind. There are <code>ev_prepare_set</code> and <code>ev_check_set</code>
706macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.</p> 1133macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.</p>
707 </dd> 1134 </dd>
708</dl> 1135</dl>
1136<p>Example: *TODO*.</p>
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142</div>
1143<h2 id="code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_"><code>ev_embed</code> - when one backend isn't enough</h2>
1144<div id="code_ev_embed_code_when_one_backend_-2">
1145<p>This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1146into another (currently only <code>ev_io</code> events are supported in the embedded
1147loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1148fashion and must not be used).</p>
1149<p>There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and
1150prioritise I/O.</p>
1151<p>As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1152sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1153still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1154so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it
1155into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will
1156be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but
1157at least you can use both at what they are best.</p>
1158<p>As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have
1159to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even
1160priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case
1161you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in
1162a second one, and embed the second one in the first.</p>
1163<p>As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1164there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1165call <code>ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)</code> to make a single sweep and invoke
1166their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
1167loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback
1168to <code>0</code>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the
1169embedded loop sweep.</p>
1170<p>As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The
1171callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can
1172set the callback to <code>0</code> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1173interested in that.</p>
1174<p>Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
1175when you fork, you not only have to call <code>ev_loop_fork</code> on both loops,
1176but you will also have to stop and restart any <code>ev_embed</code> watchers
1177yourself.</p>
1178<p>Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by
1179<code>ev_embeddable_backends</code> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1180portable one.</p>
1181<p>So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1182that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1183this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1184create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything:</p>
1185<pre> struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
1186 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1187 struct ev_embed embed;
1188
1189 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1190 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1191 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () &amp; ev_recommended_backends ()
1192 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () &amp; ev_recommended_backends ())
1193 : 0;
1194
1195 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1196 if (loop_lo)
1197 {
1198 ev_embed_init (&amp;embed, 0, loop_lo);
1199 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &amp;embed);
1200 }
1201 else
1202 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1203
1204</pre>
1205<dl>
1206 <dt>ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)</dt>
1207 <dt>ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)</dt>
1208 <dd>
1209 <p>Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1210embeddable. If the callback is <code>0</code>, then <code>ev_embed_sweep</code> will be
1211invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1212to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1213if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).</p>
1214 </dd>
1215 <dt>ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)</dt>
1216 <dd>
1217 <p>Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1218similarly to <code>ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)</code>, but in the most
1219apropriate way for embedded loops.</p>
1220 </dd>
1221</dl>
1222
1223
1224
1225
709 1226
710</div> 1227</div>
711<h1 id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS">OTHER FUNCTIONS</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 1228<h1 id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS">OTHER FUNCTIONS</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
712<div id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS_CONTENT"> 1229<div id="OTHER_FUNCTIONS_CONTENT">
713<p>There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.</p> 1230<p>There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.</p>
715 <dt>ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)</dt> 1232 <dt>ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)</dt>
716 <dd> 1233 <dd>
717 <p>This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 1234 <p>This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
718callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 1235callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
719watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 1236watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
720or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 1237or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
721more watchers yourself.</p> 1238more watchers yourself.</p>
722 <p>If <code>fd</code> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 1239 <p>If <code>fd</code> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
723is being ignored. Otherwise, an <code>ev_io</code> watcher for the given <code>fd</code> and 1240is being ignored. Otherwise, an <code>ev_io</code> watcher for the given <code>fd</code> and
724<code>events</code> set will be craeted and started.</p> 1241<code>events</code> set will be craeted and started.</p>
725 <p>If <code>timeout</code> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 1242 <p>If <code>timeout</code> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
726started. Otherwise an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher with after = <code>timeout</code> (and 1243started. Otherwise an <code>ev_timer</code> watcher with after = <code>timeout</code> (and
727repeat = 0) will be started. While <code>0</code> is a valid timeout, it is of 1244repeat = 0) will be started. While <code>0</code> is a valid timeout, it is of
728dubious value.</p> 1245dubious value.</p>
729 <p>The callback has the type <code>void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)</code> and gets 1246 <p>The callback has the type <code>void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)</code> and gets
730passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of 1247passed an <code>revents</code> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
731<code>EV_ERROR</code>, <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_TIMEOUT</code>) and the <code>arg</code> 1248<code>EV_ERROR</code>, <code>EV_READ</code>, <code>EV_WRITE</code> or <code>EV_TIMEOUT</code>) and the <code>arg</code>
732value passed to <code>ev_once</code>:</p> 1249value passed to <code>ev_once</code>:</p>
733<pre> static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 1250<pre> static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
734 { 1251 {
735 if (revents &amp; EV_TIMEOUT) 1252 if (revents &amp; EV_TIMEOUT)
740 1257
741 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 1258 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
742 1259
743</pre> 1260</pre>
744 </dd> 1261 </dd>
745 <dt>ev_feed_event (loop, watcher, int events)</dt> 1262 <dt>ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)</dt>
746 <dd> 1263 <dd>
747 <p>Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 1264 <p>Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
748had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 1265had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
749initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).</p> 1266initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).</p>
750 </dd> 1267 </dd>
751 <dt>ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)</dt> 1268 <dt>ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)</dt>
752 <dd> 1269 <dd>
753 <p>Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 1270 <p>Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
754the given events it.</p> 1271the given events it.</p>
755 </dd> 1272 </dd>
756 <dt>ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)</dt> 1273 <dt>ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)</dt>
757 <dd> 1274 <dd>
758 <p>Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).</p> 1275 <p>Feed an event as if the given signal occured (<code>loop</code> must be the default
1276loop!).</p>
759 </dd> 1277 </dd>
760</dl> 1278</dl>
1279
1280
1281
1282
1283
1284</div>
1285<h1 id="LIBEVENT_EMULATION">LIBEVENT EMULATION</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
1286<div id="LIBEVENT_EMULATION_CONTENT">
1287<p>Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
1288emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:</p>
1289<dl>
1290 <dt>* Use it by including &lt;event.h&gt;, as usual.</dt>
1291 <dt>* The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
1292ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.</dt>
1293 <dt>* Avoid using ev_flags and the EVLIST_*-macros, while it is
1294maintained by libev, it does not work exactly the same way as in libevent (consider
1295it a private API).</dt>
1296 <dt>* Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1297will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1298is an ev_pri field.</dt>
1299 <dt>* Other members are not supported.</dt>
1300 <dt>* The libev emulation is <i>not</i> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1301to use the libev header file and library.</dt>
1302</dl>
1303
1304</div>
1305<h1 id="C_SUPPORT">C++ SUPPORT</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
1306<div id="C_SUPPORT_CONTENT">
1307<p>TBD.</p>
761 1308
762</div> 1309</div>
763<h1 id="AUTHOR">AUTHOR</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 1310<h1 id="AUTHOR">AUTHOR</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
764<div id="AUTHOR_CONTENT"> 1311<div id="AUTHOR_CONTENT">
765<p>Marc Lehmann &lt;libev@schmorp.de&gt;.</p> 1312<p>Marc Lehmann &lt;libev@schmorp.de&gt;.</p>

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