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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 09:20:02 2007" /> 9 <meta name="created" content="Mon Nov 12 09:29:10 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 -->
107 <p>You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 107 <p>You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library
108you linked against by calling the functions <code>ev_version_major</code> and 108you linked against by calling the functions <code>ev_version_major</code> and
109<code>ev_version_minor</code>. If you want, you can compare against the global 109<code>ev_version_minor</code>. If you want, you can compare against the global
110symbols <code>EV_VERSION_MAJOR</code> and <code>EV_VERSION_MINOR</code>, which specify the 110symbols <code>EV_VERSION_MAJOR</code> and <code>EV_VERSION_MINOR</code>, which specify the
111version of the library your program was compiled against.</p> 111version of the library your program was compiled against.</p>
112 <p>Usually, its a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 112 <p>Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
113as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 113as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
114compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 114compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
115not a problem.</p> 115not a problem.</p>
116 </dd> 116 </dd>
117 <dt>ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))</dt> 117 <dt>ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))</dt>
146<p>If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop 146<p>If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
147in your main thread (or in a separate thrad) and for each thread you 147in your main thread (or in a separate thrad) and for each thread you
148create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking 148create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
149whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different 149whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
150threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if 150threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
151done correctly, because its hideous and inefficient).</p> 151done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).</p>
152<dl> 152<dl>
153 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)</dt> 153 <dt>struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)</dt>
154 <dd> 154 <dd>
155 <p>This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 155 <p>This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised
156yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 156yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns
163 <p>It supports the following flags:</p> 163 <p>It supports the following flags:</p>
164 <p> 164 <p>
165 <dl> 165 <dl>
166 <dt>EVFLAG_AUTO</dt> 166 <dt>EVFLAG_AUTO</dt>
167 <dd> 167 <dd>
168 <p>The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (its the right 168 <p>The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
169thing, believe me).</p> 169thing, believe me).</p>
170 </dd> 170 </dd>
171 <dt>EVFLAG_NOENV</dt> 171 <dt>EVFLAG_NOENV</dt>
172 <dd> 172 <dd>
173 <p>If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 173 <p>If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
175<code>LIBEV_FLAGS</code>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 175<code>LIBEV_FLAGS</code>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
176override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 176override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
177useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 177useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
178around bugs.</p> 178around bugs.</p>
179 </dd> 179 </dd>
180 <dt>EVMETHOD_SELECT portable select backend</dt> 180 <dt>EVMETHOD_SELECT (portable select backend)</dt>
181 <dt>EVMETHOD_POLL poll backend (everywhere except windows)</dt> 181 <dt>EVMETHOD_POLL (poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)</dt>
182 <dt>EVMETHOD_EPOLL linux only</dt> 182 <dt>EVMETHOD_EPOLL (linux only)</dt>
183 <dt>EVMETHOD_KQUEUE some bsds only</dt> 183 <dt>EVMETHOD_KQUEUE (some bsds only)</dt>
184 <dt>EVMETHOD_DEVPOLL solaris 8 only</dt> 184 <dt>EVMETHOD_DEVPOLL (solaris 8 only)</dt>
185 <dt>EVMETHOD_PORT solaris 10 only</dt> 185 <dt>EVMETHOD_PORT (solaris 10 only)</dt>
186 <dd> 186 <dd>
187 <p>If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 187 <p>If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these
188backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If one are 188backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If one are
189specified, any backend will do.</p> 189specified, any backend will do.</p>
190 </dd> 190 </dd>
200 </dd> 200 </dd>
201 <dt>ev_default_destroy ()</dt> 201 <dt>ev_default_destroy ()</dt>
202 <dd> 202 <dd>
203 <p>Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 203 <p>Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
204etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in 204etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in
205any way whatsoever, although you cnanot rely on this :).</p> 205any way whatsoever, although you cannot rely on this :).</p>
206 </dd> 206 </dd>
207 <dt>ev_loop_destroy (loop)</dt> 207 <dt>ev_loop_destroy (loop)</dt>
208 <dd> 208 <dd>
209 <p>Like <code>ev_default_destroy</code>, but destroys an event loop created by an 209 <p>Like <code>ev_default_destroy</code>, but destroys an event loop created by an
210earlier call to <code>ev_loop_new</code>.</p> 210earlier call to <code>ev_loop_new</code>.</p>
216after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 216after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that
217again makes little sense).</p> 217again makes little sense).</p>
218 <p>You <i>must</i> call this function after forking if and only if you want to 218 <p>You <i>must</i> call this function after forking if and only if you want to
219use the event library in both processes. If you just fork+exec, you don't 219use the event library in both processes. If you just fork+exec, you don't
220have to call it.</p> 220have to call it.</p>
221 <p>The function itself is quite fast and its usually not a problem to call 221 <p>The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
222it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 222it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
223quite nicely into a call to <code>pthread_atfork</code>:</p> 223quite nicely into a call to <code>pthread_atfork</code>:</p>
224<pre> pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 224<pre> pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
225 225
226</pre> 226</pre>
234 <dt>unsigned int ev_method (loop)</dt> 234 <dt>unsigned int ev_method (loop)</dt>
235 <dd> 235 <dd>
236 <p>Returns one of the <code>EVMETHOD_*</code> flags indicating the event backend in 236 <p>Returns one of the <code>EVMETHOD_*</code> flags indicating the event backend in
237use.</p> 237use.</p>
238 </dd> 238 </dd>
239 <dt>ev_tstamp = ev_now (loop)</dt> 239 <dt>ev_tstamp ev_now (loop)</dt>
240 <dd> 240 <dd>
241 <p>Returns the current &quot;event loop time&quot;, which is the time the event loop 241 <p>Returns the current &quot;event loop time&quot;, which is the time the event loop
242got events and started processing them. This timestamp does not change 242got events and started processing them. This timestamp does not change
243as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base time 243as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base time
244used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the event 244used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the event
251events.</p> 251events.</p>
252 <p>If the flags argument is specified as 0, it will not return until either 252 <p>If the flags argument is specified as 0, it will not return until either
253no event watchers are active anymore or <code>ev_unloop</code> was called.</p> 253no event watchers are active anymore or <code>ev_unloop</code> was called.</p>
254 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_NONBLOCK</code> will look for new events, will handle 254 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_NONBLOCK</code> will look for new events, will handle
255those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 255those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
256case there are no events.</p> 256case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.</p>
257 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_ONESHOT</code> will look for new events (waiting if 257 <p>A flags value of <code>EVLOOP_ONESHOT</code> will look for new events (waiting if
258neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 258neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
259your process until at least one new event arrives.</p> 259your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
260one iteration of the loop.</p>
260 <p>This flags value could be used to implement alternative looping 261 <p>This flags value could be used to implement alternative looping
261constructs, but the <code>prepare</code> and <code>check</code> watchers provide a better and 262constructs, but the <code>prepare</code> and <code>check</code> watchers provide a better and
262more generic mechanism.</p> 263more generic mechanism.</p>
263 </dd> 264 </dd>
264 <dt>ev_unloop (loop, how)</dt> 265 <dt>ev_unloop (loop, how)</dt>
265 <dd> 266 <dd>
266 <p>Can be used to make a call to <code>ev_loop</code> return early. The <code>how</code> argument 267 <p>Can be used to make a call to <code>ev_loop</code> return early (but only after it
268has processed all outstanding events). The <code>how</code> argument must be either
267must be either <code>EVUNLOOP_ONCE</code>, which will make the innermost <code>ev_loop</code> 269<code>EVUNLOOP_ONCE</code>, which will make the innermost <code>ev_loop</code> call return, or
268call return, or <code>EVUNLOOP_ALL</code>, which will make all nested <code>ev_loop</code> 270<code>EVUNLOOP_ALL</code>, which will make all nested <code>ev_loop</code> calls return.</p>
269calls return.</p>
270 </dd> 271 </dd>
271 <dt>ev_ref (loop)</dt> 272 <dt>ev_ref (loop)</dt>
272 <dt>ev_unref (loop)</dt> 273 <dt>ev_unref (loop)</dt>
273 <dd> 274 <dd>
274 <p>Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a refcount on the event loop: Every 275 <p>Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
275watcher keeps one reference. If you have a long-runing watcher you never 276loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
276unregister that should not keep ev_loop from running, ev_unref() after 277count is nonzero, <code>ev_loop</code> will not return on its own. If you have
277starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. Libev itself uses this for 278a watcher you never unregister that should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from
278example for its internal signal pipe: It is not visible to you as a user 279returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For
279and should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from exiting if the work is done. It is 280example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not
280also an excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from 281visible to the libev user and should not keep <code>ev_loop</code> from exiting if
281within third-party libraries. Just remember to unref after start and ref 282no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
282before stop.</p> 283way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
284libraries. Just remember to <i>unref after start</i> and <i>ref before stop</i>.</p>
283 </dd> 285 </dd>
284</dl> 286</dl>
285 287
286</div> 288</div>
287<h1 id="ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p> 289<h1 id="ANATOMY_OF_A_WATCHER">ANATOMY OF A WATCHER</h1><p><a href="#TOP" class="toplink">Top</a></p>
462<p>The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 464<p>The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
463times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 465times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years
464time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. &quot;Roughly&quot; because 466time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. &quot;Roughly&quot; because
465detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 467detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
466monotonic clock option helps a lot here).</p> 468monotonic clock option helps a lot here).</p>
469<p>The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the <code>ev_now ()</code>
470time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
471of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
472you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout
473ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:</p>
474<pre> ev_timer_set (&amp;timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
475
476</pre>
467<dl> 477<dl>
468 <dt>ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt> 478 <dt>ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt>
469 <dt>ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt> 479 <dt>ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)</dt>
470 <dd> 480 <dd>
471 <p>Configure the timer to trigger after <code>after</code> seconds. If <code>repeat</code> is 481 <p>Configure the timer to trigger after <code>after</code> seconds. If <code>repeat</code> is
589</div> 599</div>
590<h2 id="ev_signal_signal_me_when_a_signal_ge">ev_signal - signal me when a signal gets signalled</h2> 600<h2 id="ev_signal_signal_me_when_a_signal_ge">ev_signal - signal me when a signal gets signalled</h2>
591<div id="ev_signal_signal_me_when_a_signal_ge-2"> 601<div id="ev_signal_signal_me_when_a_signal_ge-2">
592<p>Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 602<p>Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
593signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 603signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
594will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 604will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
595normal event processing, like any other event.</p> 605normal event processing, like any other event.</p>
596<p>You cna configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 606<p>You cna configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
597first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 607first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher
598with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 608with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
599as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 609as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal

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