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Revision 1.106 by root, Sun Dec 23 03:57:55 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.204 by root, Mon Oct 27 11:08:29 2008 UTC

2 2
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required
11 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
12 13
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_TYPE
13 ev_io stdin_watcher; 16 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 17 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15 18
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */ 19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17 static void 21 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
19 { 23 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */ 24 puts ("stdin ready");
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */ 25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */ 26 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23 } 31 }
24 32
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out
25 static void 34 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 { 36 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */ 37 puts ("timeout");
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */ 38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30 } 40 }
31 41
32 int 42 int
33 main (void) 43 main (void)
34 { 44 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 46 ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36 47
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */ 48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40 52
53 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */ 54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44 57
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */ 58 // now wait for events to arrive
46 ev_loop (loop, 0); 59 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47 60
61 // unloop was called, so exit
48 return 0; 62 return 0;
49 } 63 }
50 64
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 65=head1 DESCRIPTION
52 66
53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted 67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first 68web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>. 69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
56 70
57Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 71Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59these event sources and provide your program with events. 73these event sources and provide your program with events.
60 74
84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85for example). 99for example).
86 100
87=head2 CONVENTIONS 101=head2 CONVENTIONS
88 102
89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 105more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument. 108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument.
95 110
96=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97 112
98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
103it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name 118it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
104component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
105throughout libev. 120throughout libev.
121
122=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123
124Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125and internal errors (bugs).
126
127When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
128a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
129set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
130abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
131()>.
132
133When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
134it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
135so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
136the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
137
138Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
139extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
140circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
141
106 142
107=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 143=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
108 144
109These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 145These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
110library in any way. 146library in any way.
119 155
120=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 156=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
121 157
122Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 158Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
123either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 159either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
124this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>. 160this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
125 161
126=item int ev_version_major () 162=item int ev_version_major ()
127 163
128=item int ev_version_minor () 164=item int ev_version_minor ()
129 165
142not a problem. 178not a problem.
143 179
144Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
145version. 181version.
146 182
147 assert (("libev version mismatch", 183 assert (("libev version mismatch",
148 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
149 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
150 186
151=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 187=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
152 188
153Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 189Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
154value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 190value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
156a description of the set values. 192a description of the set values.
157 193
158Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 194Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
159a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11 195a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
160 196
161 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
162 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
163 199
164=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
165 201
166Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 202Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
167recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
168returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 204returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
169most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
170(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 206(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
171libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
172 208
173=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
174 210
178C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
179recommended ones. 215recommended ones.
180 216
181See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
182 218
183=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
184 220
185Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
186semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to 222semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
187allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when 223used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
188memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some 224when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
189potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc 225or take some potentially destructive action.
190function. 226
227Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
228correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
229C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
191 230
192You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 231You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
193free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 232free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
194or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 233or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
195 234
196Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 235Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
197retries). 236retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
198 237
199 static void * 238 static void *
200 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 239 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
201 { 240 {
202 for (;;) 241 for (;;)
211 } 250 }
212 251
213 ... 252 ...
214 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
215 254
216=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
217 256
218Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 257Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
219as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
220indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
221callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 260callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
222matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 261matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
223requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 262requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
224(such as abort). 263(such as abort).
225 264
226Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 265Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
237 276
238=back 277=back
239 278
240=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
241 280
242An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 281An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
243types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 282is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
244events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 283I<function>).
245 284
246If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop 285The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
247in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you 286supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
248create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking 287not.
249whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
250threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
251done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
252 288
253=over 4 289=over 4
254 290
255=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 291=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
256 292
260flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 296flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261 297
262If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 298If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263function. 299function.
264 300
301Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
302from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
303as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
304
305The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
306C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
307for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
308create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
309can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
310C<ev_default_init>.
311
265The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 312The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
266backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 313backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
267 314
268The following flags are supported: 315The following flags are supported:
269 316
274The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 321The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
275thing, believe me). 322thing, believe me).
276 323
277=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 324=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
278 325
279If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 326If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
280or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 327or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
281C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 328C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
282override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 329override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
283useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 330useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
284around bugs. 331around bugs.
290enabling this flag. 337enabling this flag.
291 338
292This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 339This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
293and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 340and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
294iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 341iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
295Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 342GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
296without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has 343without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
297C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 344C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
298 345
299The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 346The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
300forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 347forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
301flag. 348flag.
302 349
303This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 350This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
304environment variable. 351environment variable.
305 352
306=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 353=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
307 354
308This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 355This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
310but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 357but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
311using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its 358using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
312usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds. 359usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
313 360
314To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of 361To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
315parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are 362parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
316writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many 363writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
317connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have 364connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
318a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of 365a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
319readyness notifications you get per iteration. 366readiness notifications you get per iteration.
367
368This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
369C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
370C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
320 371
321=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 372=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
322 373
323And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated 374And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
324than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial 375than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
325limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down 376limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
326considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, 377considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
327i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for 378i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
328performance tips. 379performance tips.
329 380
381This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
382C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
383
330=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 384=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
331 385
332For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 386For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
333but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 387but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
334like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 388like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
335epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number 389epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
336of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect 390of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
337cases and rewiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad 391cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad
338support for dup. 392support for dup.
339 393
394Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds should work, but
395of course doesn't, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
396I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones) than registered
397in the set (especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these
398spurious notifications by employing an additional generation counter and
399comparing that against the events to filter out spurious ones.
400
340While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 401While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
341will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 402will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
342(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 403(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
343best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work 404best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
344very well if you register events for both fds. 405very well if you register events for both fds.
345 406
346Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
347need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
348(or space) is available.
349
350Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all 407Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
351watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e. 408watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
352keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. 409i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
410starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
411extra overhead.
353 412
354While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in 413While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
355all kernel versions tested so far. 414all kernel versions tested so far.
356 415
416This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
417C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
418
357=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 419=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
358 420
359Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 421Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was
360was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably 422broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with
361with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course 423anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's
362it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected" 424completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless
363unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 425you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or
364C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) 426libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
365system like NetBSD.
366 427
367You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 428You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
368only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 429only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
369the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 430the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
370 431
371It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 432It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
372kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 433kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
373course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 434course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
374cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 435cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
375two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it 436two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
376drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases. 437drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
377 438
378This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 439This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
379 440
380While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 441While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
381everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 442everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
382almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets 443almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
383(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop 444(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
384(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for 445(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
385sockets. 446using it only for sockets.
447
448This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
449C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
450C<NOTE_EOF>.
386 451
387=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 452=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
388 453
389This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an 454This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
390implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets 455implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
394=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 459=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
395 460
396This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 461This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
397it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 462it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
398 463
399Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious 464Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
400notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 465notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
401blocking when no data (or space) is available. 466blocking when no data (or space) is available.
402 467
403While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 468While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
404file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 469file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
405descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 470descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
406might perform better. 471might perform better.
407 472
473On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
474notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
475in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
476OS-specific backends.
477
478This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
479C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
480
408=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 481=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
409 482
410Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 483Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
411with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 484with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
412C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 485C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
413 486
414It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 487It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
415 488
416=back 489=back
417 490
418If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 491If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
419backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 492backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
420specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 493specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
421order of their flag values :)
422 494
423The most typical usage is like this: 495Example: This is the most typical usage.
424 496
425 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 497 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
426 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 498 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
427 499
428Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 500Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
429environment settings to be taken into account: 501environment settings to be taken into account:
430 502
431 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 503 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
432 504
433Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 505Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
434available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 506used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
435event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 507private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
508fds):
436 509
437 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 510 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
438 511
439=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 512=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
440 513
441Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 514Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
442always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 515always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
443handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 516handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
444undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 517undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
445 518
519Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
520libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
521default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
522
446Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 523Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
447 524
448 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 525 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
449 if (!epoller) 526 if (!epoller)
450 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 527 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
451 528
452=item ev_default_destroy () 529=item ev_default_destroy ()
453 530
454Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 531Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
455etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 532etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
456sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 533sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
457responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 534responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
458calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 535calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
459the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 536the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
460for example). 537for example).
461 538
462Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by 539Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
463this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers) 540handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
464would need to be stopped manually. 541as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
465 542
466In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 543In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
467rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 544rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
468pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 545pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
469C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>). 546C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
473Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 550Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
474earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 551earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
475 552
476=item ev_default_fork () 553=item ev_default_fork ()
477 554
555This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
478This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 556to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
479one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 557name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
480after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 558the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
481again makes little sense). 559sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
560functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
482 561
483You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 562On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
484only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just 563process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
485fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 564you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
486 565
487The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 566The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
488it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 567it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
489quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 568quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
490 569
491 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 570 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
492 571
493At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
494without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
495do not need to care.
496
497=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 572=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
498 573
499Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 574Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
500C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 575C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
501after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 576after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
577entirely your own problem.
578
579=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
580
581Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
582otherwise.
502 583
503=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 584=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
504 585
505Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 586Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
506the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 587the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
521received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 602received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
522change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 603change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
523time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 604time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
524event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 605event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
525 606
607=item ev_now_update (loop)
608
609Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
610returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
611is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
612
613This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
614very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
615the current time is a good idea.
616
617See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
618
526=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 619=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
527 620
528Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 621Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
529after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 622after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
530events. 623events.
532If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 625If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
533either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 626either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
534 627
535Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 628Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
536relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 629relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
537finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that 630finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
538automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of 631that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
539relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty. 632of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
633beauty.
540 634
541A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 635A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
542those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 636those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
543case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 637process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
638the loop.
544 639
545A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 640A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
546neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 641necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
547your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 642will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
548one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 643be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a
549external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 644user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
645iteration of the loop.
646
647This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
648with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
550libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 649own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
551usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 650usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
552 651
553Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 652Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
554 653
555 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 654 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
556 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 655 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
557 - Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 656 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
657 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
558 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 658 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
659 as to not disturb the other process.
559 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 660 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
560 - Update the "event loop time". 661 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
561 - Calculate for how long to block. 662 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
663 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
664 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
665 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
562 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 666 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
563 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 667 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
564 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 668 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
565 - Queue all outstanding timers. 669 - Queue all expired timers.
566 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 670 - Queue all expired periodics.
567 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 671 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
568 - Queue all check watchers. 672 - Queue all check watchers.
569 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 673 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
570 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 674 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
571 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 675 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
572 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 676 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
573 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 677 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
678 continue with step *.
574 679
575Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 680Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
576anymore. 681anymore.
577 682
578 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 683 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
579 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 684 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
580 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 685 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
581 ... jobs done. yeah! 686 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
582 687
583=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 688=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
584 689
585Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 690Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
586has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 691has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
587C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 692C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
588C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 693C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
589 694
695This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
696
697It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
698
590=item ev_ref (loop) 699=item ev_ref (loop)
591 700
592=item ev_unref (loop) 701=item ev_unref (loop)
593 702
594Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 703Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
595loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 704loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
596count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have 705count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
706
597a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from 707If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
598returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 708from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
709stopping it.
710
599example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 711As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
600visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 712not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
601no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 713if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
602way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 714way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
603libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 715libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
716(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
717respectively).
604 718
605Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 719Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
606running when nothing else is active. 720running when nothing else is active.
607 721
608 struct ev_signal exitsig; 722 ev_signal exitsig;
609 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 723 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
610 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 724 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
611 evf_unref (loop); 725 evf_unref (loop);
612 726
613Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 727Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
614 728
615 ev_ref (loop); 729 ev_ref (loop);
616 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 730 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
617 731
618=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval) 732=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
619 733
620=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval) 734=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
621 735
622These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting 736These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
623for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to 737for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
624invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency. 738will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
739latency.
625 740
626Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>) 741Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
627allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to 742allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
628increase efficiency of loop iterations. 743to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
744opportunities).
629 745
630The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to 746The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
631handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes 747one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
632the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new 748program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
633events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high 749events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
634overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 750overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
635 751
636By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 752By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
637time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 753time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
639C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 755C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
640introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. 756introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
641 757
642Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 758Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
643to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 759to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
644latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers 760latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
645will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce 761later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
646any overhead in libev. 762value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
647 763
648Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect 764Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
649interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for 765interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
650interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It 766interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
651usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 767usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
652as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems. 768as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
769
770Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
771saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
772are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
773times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
774reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
775they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
776
777=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
778
779This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
780compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
781through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
782is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
783error and call C<abort ()>.
784
785This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
786circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
787data structures consistent.
653 788
654=back 789=back
655 790
656 791
657=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 792=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
793
794In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
795watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
796watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
658 797
659A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 798A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
660interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 799interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
661become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 800become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
662 801
663 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 802 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
664 { 803 {
665 ev_io_stop (w); 804 ev_io_stop (w);
666 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 805 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
667 } 806 }
668 807
669 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 808 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
809
670 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 810 ev_io stdin_watcher;
811
671 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 812 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
672 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 813 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
673 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 814 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
815
674 ev_loop (loop, 0); 816 ev_loop (loop, 0);
675 817
676As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 818As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
677watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 819watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
678although this can sometimes be quite valid). 820stack).
821
822Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
823or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
679 824
680Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 825Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
681(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 826(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
682callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 827callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
683watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 828watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
684is readable and/or writable). 829is readable and/or writable).
685 830
686Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 831Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
687with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 832macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
688to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 833is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
689(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 834ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
690 835
691To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 836To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
692with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 837with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
693*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 838*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
694corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 839corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
695 840
696As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 841As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
697must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 842must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
698reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 843reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
699 844
700Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 845Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
701registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 846registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
702third argument. 847third argument.
703 848
757=item C<EV_FORK> 902=item C<EV_FORK>
758 903
759The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 904The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
760C<ev_fork>). 905C<ev_fork>).
761 906
907=item C<EV_ASYNC>
908
909The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
910
762=item C<EV_ERROR> 911=item C<EV_ERROR>
763 912
764An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 913An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
765happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 914happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
766ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 915ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
916problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
917
767problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 918You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
768with the watcher being stopped. 919watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
920an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
921bug in your program.
769 922
770Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 923Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
771for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 924example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
772your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 925callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
773with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 926the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
774programs, though, so beware. 927programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
928thing, so beware.
775 929
776=back 930=back
777 931
778=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 932=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
779
780In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
781e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
782 933
783=over 4 934=over 4
784 935
785=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 936=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
786 937
792which rolls both calls into one. 943which rolls both calls into one.
793 944
794You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 945You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
795(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 946(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
796 947
797The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 948The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
798int revents)>. 949int revents)>.
950
951Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
952
953 ev_io w;
954 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
955 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
799 956
800=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 957=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
801 958
802This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 959This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
803call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 960call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
806difference to the C<ev_init> macro). 963difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
807 964
808Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 965Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
809(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 966(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
810 967
968See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
969
811=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 970=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
812 971
813This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 972This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
814calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 973calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
815a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 974a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
975
976Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
977
978 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
816 979
817=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 980=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
818 981
819Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 982Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
820events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 983events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
821 984
985Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
986whole section.
987
988 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
989
822=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 990=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
823 991
824Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 992Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
993the watcher was active or not).
994
825status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 995It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
826non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 996non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
827C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 997calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
828you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 998pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
829good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 999therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
830 1000
831=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1001=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
832 1002
833Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1003Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
834and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1004and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
876The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1046The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
877always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1047always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
878 1048
879Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1049Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
880fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1050fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
881or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range. 1051or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
882 1052
883=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1053=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
884 1054
885Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1055Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
886C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1056C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
887can deal with that fact. 1057can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
1058callback.
888 1059
889=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1060=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
890 1061
891If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status 1062If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
892and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the 1063returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
893watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1064watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
894 1065
1066Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1067callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1068
895=back 1069=back
896 1070
897 1071
898=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1072=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
899 1073
900Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1074Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
901and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1075and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
902to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1076to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
903don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1077don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
904member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1078member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
905data: 1079data:
906 1080
907 struct my_io 1081 struct my_io
908 { 1082 {
909 struct ev_io io; 1083 ev_io io;
910 int otherfd; 1084 int otherfd;
911 void *somedata; 1085 void *somedata;
912 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1086 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
913 } 1087 };
1088
1089 ...
1090 struct my_io w;
1091 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
914 1092
915And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1093And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
916can cast it back to your own type: 1094can cast it back to your own type:
917 1095
918 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1096 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
919 { 1097 {
920 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1098 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
921 ... 1099 ...
922 } 1100 }
923 1101
924More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1102More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
925instead have been omitted. 1103instead have been omitted.
926 1104
927Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1105Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
928watchers: 1106embedded watchers:
929 1107
930 struct my_biggy 1108 struct my_biggy
931 { 1109 {
932 int some_data; 1110 int some_data;
933 ev_timer t1; 1111 ev_timer t1;
934 ev_timer t2; 1112 ev_timer t2;
935 } 1113 }
936 1114
937In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1115In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
938you need to use C<offsetof>: 1116complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1117in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1118some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1119programmers):
939 1120
940 #include <stddef.h> 1121 #include <stddef.h>
941 1122
942 static void 1123 static void
943 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1124 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
944 { 1125 {
945 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1126 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
946 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1127 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
947 } 1128 }
948 1129
949 static void 1130 static void
950 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1131 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
951 { 1132 {
952 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1133 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
953 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1134 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
954 } 1135 }
955 1136
956 1137
957=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1138=head1 WATCHER TYPES
958 1139
959This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1140This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
983In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1164In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
984fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1165fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
985descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1166descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
986required if you know what you are doing). 1167required if you know what you are doing).
987 1168
988You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 1169If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
989(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 1170known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
990descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 1171C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
991to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
992the same underlying "file open").
993
994If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
995(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
996C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
997 1172
998Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1173Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
999receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1174receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1000be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1175be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1001because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1176because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1002lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1177lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1003this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1178this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1004it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1179it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1005C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1180C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1006 1181
1007If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1182If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1008play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1183not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1009whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1184re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1010such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1185interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1011its own, so its quite safe to use). 1186does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1187use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1188indefinitely.
1189
1190But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1012 1191
1013=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors 1192=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1014 1193
1015Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file 1194Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1016descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means, 1195descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1017such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file 1196such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1018descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop 1197descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1019this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is 1198this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1020registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in 1199registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1021fact, a different file descriptor. 1200fact, a different file descriptor.
1022 1201
1033 1212
1034=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors 1213=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1035 1214
1036Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors, 1215Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1037but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you 1216but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1038have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors and register events for them, only one 1217have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1039file descriptor might actually receive events. 1218events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1040 1219
1041There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1220There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1042for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1221for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1043C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1222C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1044 1223
1051To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1230To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1052C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1231C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1053enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1232enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1054C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1233C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1055 1234
1235=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1236
1237While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1238when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1239sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1240this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1241
1242So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1243ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1244somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1245
1056 1246
1057=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1247=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1058 1248
1059=over 4 1249=over 4
1060 1250
1061=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1251=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1062 1252
1063=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1253=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1064 1254
1065Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1255Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1066rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1256receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1067C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1257C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1068 1258
1069=item int fd [read-only] 1259=item int fd [read-only]
1070 1260
1071The file descriptor being watched. 1261The file descriptor being watched.
1072 1262
1073=item int events [read-only] 1263=item int events [read-only]
1074 1264
1075The events being watched. 1265The events being watched.
1076 1266
1077=back 1267=back
1268
1269=head3 Examples
1078 1270
1079Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1271Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1080readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1272readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1081attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1273attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1082 1274
1083 static void 1275 static void
1084 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1276 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1085 { 1277 {
1086 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1278 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1087 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1279 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1088 } 1280 }
1089 1281
1090 ... 1282 ...
1091 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1283 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1092 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1284 ev_io stdin_readable;
1093 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1285 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1094 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1286 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1095 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1287 ev_loop (loop, 0);
1096 1288
1097 1289
1098=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1290=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1099 1291
1100Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1292Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1101given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1293given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1102 1294
1103The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1295The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1104times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1296times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1105time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1297year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1106detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1298detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1107monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1299monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1300
1301The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1302passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
1303then order of execution is undefined.
1304
1305=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1306
1307Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1308recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1309you want to raise some error after a while.
1310
1311What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1312inefficient to smart and efficient.
1313
1314In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1315gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1316data or other life sign was received).
1317
1318=over 4
1319
1320=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1321
1322This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1323start the watcher:
1324
1325 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1326 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1327
1328Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1329and start it again:
1330
1331 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1332 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1333 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1334
1335This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1336some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1337data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1338still not a constant-time operation.
1339
1340=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1341
1342This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1343C<ev_timer_start>.
1344
1345To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1346of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1347successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1348you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1349the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1350
1351That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1352C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1353member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1354
1355At start:
1356
1357 ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
1358 timer->repeat = 60.;
1359 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1360
1361Each time there is some activity:
1362
1363 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1364
1365It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1366whether the watcher is active or not:
1367
1368 timer->repeat = 30.;
1369 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1370
1371This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1372you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1373remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1374
1375It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1376
1377=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1378
1379This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1380relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1381our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1382associated activity resets.
1383
1384In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1385but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1386within the callback:
1387
1388 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1389
1390 static void
1391 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1392 {
1393 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
1394 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1395
1396 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1397 if (timeout < now)
1398 {
1399 // timeout occured, take action
1400 }
1401 else
1402 {
1403 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1404 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1405 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1406 w->again = timeout - now;
1407 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1408 }
1409 }
1410
1411To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1412as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
1413been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
1414the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
1415re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1416a timeout then.
1417
1418Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
1419C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
1420
1421This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1422minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1423libev to change the timeout.
1424
1425To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1426to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1427callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1428
1429 ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
1430 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1431 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1432
1433And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1434C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1435
1436 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
1437
1438This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1439time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1440
1441Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1442callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1443fix things for you.
1444
1445=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1446
1447If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1448employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1449do even better:
1450
1451When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
1452at the I<end> of the list.
1453
1454Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
1455the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
1456
1457When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
1458the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
1459update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
1460
1461This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
1462starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
1463complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
1464ensures that the list stays sorted.
1465
1466=back
1467
1468So which method the best?
1469
1470Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
1471situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
1472better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
1473one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
1474
1475Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1476rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1477off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1478overkill :)
1479
1480=head3 The special problem of time updates
1481
1482Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1483least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1484time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
1485growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1486lots of events in one iteration.
1108 1487
1109The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1488The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1110time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1489time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1111of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1490of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1112you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1491you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1113on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1492timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1114 1493
1115 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1494 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1116 1495
1117The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1496If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1118but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1497update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1119order of execution is undefined. 1498()>.
1120 1499
1121=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1500=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1122 1501
1123=over 4 1502=over 4
1124 1503
1125=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1504=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1126 1505
1127=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1506=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1128 1507
1129Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1508Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1130C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1509is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1131timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1510reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1132later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1511configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1512until stopped manually.
1133 1513
1134The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1514The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1135configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1515you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1136exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1516trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1137the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1517keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1138timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1518do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1139 1519
1140=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1520=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1141 1521
1142This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1522This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1143repeating. The exact semantics are: 1523repeating. The exact semantics are:
1144 1524
1145If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 1525If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1146 1526
1147If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 1527If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1148 1528
1149If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 1529If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1150C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 1530C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1151 1531
1152This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1532This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1153example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 1533usage example.
1154timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1155seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1156configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1157C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1158you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1159socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1160automatically restart it if need be.
1161
1162That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1163altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1164
1165 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1166 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1167 ...
1168 timer->again = 17.;
1169 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1170 ...
1171 timer->again = 10.;
1172 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1173
1174This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1175you want to modify its timeout value.
1176 1534
1177=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1535=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1178 1536
1179The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1537The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1180or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1538or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1181which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1539which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1182 1540
1183=back 1541=back
1184 1542
1543=head3 Examples
1544
1185Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1545Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1186 1546
1187 static void 1547 static void
1188 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1548 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1189 { 1549 {
1190 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1550 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1191 } 1551 }
1192 1552
1193 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1553 ev_timer mytimer;
1194 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1554 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1195 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1555 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1196 1556
1197Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1557Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1198inactivity. 1558inactivity.
1199 1559
1200 static void 1560 static void
1201 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1561 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1202 { 1562 {
1203 .. ten seconds without any activity 1563 .. ten seconds without any activity
1204 } 1564 }
1205 1565
1206 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1566 ev_timer mytimer;
1207 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1567 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1208 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1568 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1209 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1569 ev_loop (loop, 0);
1210 1570
1211 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1571 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1212 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1572 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1213 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1573 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1214 1574
1215 1575
1216=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1576=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1217 1577
1218Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1578Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1219(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1579(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1220 1580
1221Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1581Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1222but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1582but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1223to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1583to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1224periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1584periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1225+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1585+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
1586clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1226take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1587to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1227roughly 10 seconds later). 1588roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1228 1589
1229They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1590C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1230triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated, 1591such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1231rules. 1592complicated rules.
1232 1593
1233As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1594As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1234time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1595time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1235during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1596during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1236 1597
1237=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1598=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1238 1599
1239=over 4 1600=over 4
1240 1601
1241=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1602=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1242 1603
1243=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1604=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1244 1605
1245Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1606Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1246operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1607operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1247 1608
1248=over 4 1609=over 4
1249 1610
1250=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1611=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1251 1612
1252In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1613In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1253C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1614time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1254that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1615jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1255system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1616only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1256 1617
1257=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1618=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1258 1619
1259In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1620In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1260C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 1621C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1261and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 1622and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1262 1623
1263This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1624This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1264time: 1625system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1626hour, on the hour:
1265 1627
1266 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1628 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1267 1629
1268This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1630This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1269but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1631but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1270full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 1632full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1271by 3600. 1633by 3600.
1272 1634
1273Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1635Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1274C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1636C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1275time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1637time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1276 1638
1277For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near 1639For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1278C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 1640C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1279this value. 1641this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1642
1643Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1644speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1645will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1646millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1280 1647
1281=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback) 1648=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1282 1649
1283In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1650In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1284ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1651ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1285reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1652reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1286current time as second argument. 1653current time as second argument.
1287 1654
1288NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1655NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1289ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1656ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1290return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1291starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1292 1657
1658If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1659it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1660only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1661
1293Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1662The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1294ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1663*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1295 1664
1665 static ev_tstamp
1296 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1666 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1297 { 1667 {
1298 return now + 60.; 1668 return now + 60.;
1299 } 1669 }
1300 1670
1301It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1671It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1302(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1672(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1303will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1673will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1304might be called at other times, too. 1674might be called at other times, too.
1305 1675
1306NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1676NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1307passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1677equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1308 1678
1309This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1679This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1310triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1680triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1311next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1681next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1312you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1682you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1313reason I omitted it as an example). 1683reason I omitted it as an example).
1314 1684
1315=back 1685=back
1319Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1689Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1320when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1690when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1321a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1691a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1322program when the crontabs have changed). 1692program when the crontabs have changed).
1323 1693
1694=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1695
1696When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1697trigger next.
1698
1324=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write] 1699=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1325 1700
1326When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the 1701When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1327absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>). 1702absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1328 1703
1333 1708
1334The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1709The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1335take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 1710take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1336called. 1711called.
1337 1712
1338=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 1713=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1339 1714
1340The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 1715The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1341switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1716switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1342the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1717the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1343 1718
1344=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1345
1346When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1347trigger next.
1348
1349=back 1719=back
1350 1720
1721=head3 Examples
1722
1351Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1723Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1352system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1724system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1353potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1725potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1354 1726
1355 static void 1727 static void
1356 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1728 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1357 { 1729 {
1358 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 1730 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1359 } 1731 }
1360 1732
1361 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1733 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1362 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1734 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1363 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1735 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1364 1736
1365Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1737Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1366 1738
1367 #include <math.h> 1739 #include <math.h>
1368 1740
1369 static ev_tstamp 1741 static ev_tstamp
1370 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1742 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1371 { 1743 {
1372 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1744 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1373 } 1745 }
1374 1746
1375 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1747 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1376 1748
1377Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 1749Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1378 1750
1379 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1751 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1380 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1752 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1381 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1753 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1382 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1754 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1383 1755
1384 1756
1385=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 1757=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1386 1758
1387Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1759Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1388signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1760signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1389will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 1761will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1390normal event processing, like any other event. 1762normal event processing, like any other event.
1391 1763
1764If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
1765do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
1766C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
1767
1392You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 1768You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1393first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 1769first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1394with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1770with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1395as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1771you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1396watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1772the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1397SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1773signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1774
1775If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1776C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1777interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1778signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1779them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1398 1780
1399=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1781=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1400 1782
1401=over 4 1783=over 4
1402 1784
1411 1793
1412The signal the watcher watches out for. 1794The signal the watcher watches out for.
1413 1795
1414=back 1796=back
1415 1797
1798=head3 Examples
1799
1800Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1801
1802 static void
1803 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1804 {
1805 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1806 }
1807
1808 ev_signal signal_watcher;
1809 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1810 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1811
1416 1812
1417=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1813=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1418 1814
1419Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1815Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1420some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1816some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1817exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1818has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1819as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1820forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1821but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
1822not.
1823
1824Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1825you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1826
1827=head3 Process Interaction
1828
1829Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1830initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1831the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1832of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1833synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1834children, even ones not watched.
1835
1836=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1837
1838Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
1839processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
1840handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1841C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1842default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1843event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1844that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1845
1846=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1847
1848Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1849child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1850callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1851when a child exit is detected.
1421 1852
1422=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1853=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1423 1854
1424=over 4 1855=over 4
1425 1856
1426=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1857=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1427 1858
1428=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 1859=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1429 1860
1430Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 1861Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1431I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 1862I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1432at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 1863at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1433the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 1864the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1434C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1865C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1435process causing the status change. 1866process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
1867activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
1868activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1436 1869
1437=item int pid [read-only] 1870=item int pid [read-only]
1438 1871
1439The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id. 1872The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1440 1873
1447The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1880The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1448C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1881C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1449 1882
1450=back 1883=back
1451 1884
1452Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1885=head3 Examples
1453 1886
1887Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1888its completion.
1889
1890 ev_child cw;
1891
1454 static void 1892 static void
1455 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1893 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1456 { 1894 {
1457 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1895 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1896 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1458 } 1897 }
1459 1898
1460 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1899 pid_t pid = fork ();
1461 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1900
1462 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1901 if (pid < 0)
1902 // error
1903 else if (pid == 0)
1904 {
1905 // the forked child executes here
1906 exit (1);
1907 }
1908 else
1909 {
1910 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1911 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1912 }
1463 1913
1464 1914
1465=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1915=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1466 1916
1467This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1917This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1468C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 1918C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1469compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1919compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1470 1920
1471The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 1921The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1472not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1922not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1475the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1925the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1476 1926
1477The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 1927The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1478relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 1928relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1479 1929
1480Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 1930Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable
1481calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 1931implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if
1482can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 1932it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for
1483a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 1933this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!)
1484unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 1934then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which
1485five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 1935you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change
1486impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 1936dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently
1487usually overkill. 1937around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill.
1488 1938
1489This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 1939This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1490as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1940as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1491resource-intensive. 1941resource-intensive.
1492 1942
1493At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 1943At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1494implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 1944is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as
1495reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 1945an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way
1496semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1946of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue).
1497to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1947
1498usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1948=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1499polling. 1949
1950Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1951compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1952support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1953structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1954use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1955compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1956obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1957most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
1958
1959The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1960file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1961optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1962to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1963default compilation environment.
1964
1965=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1966
1967When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally
1968only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier
1969implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1970change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created
1971lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1972
1973Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1974except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1975making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1976there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1977but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling.
1978
1979There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1980implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1981descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1982etc. is difficult.
1983
1984=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1985
1986The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1987even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still
1988only support whole seconds.
1989
1990That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1991easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1992calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1993within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
1994stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1995
1996The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1997than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1998a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1999ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
2000
2001The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
2002of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
2003might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
2004C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
2005a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
2006update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
2007the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
2008the timer callback).
1500 2009
1501=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2010=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1502 2011
1503=over 4 2012=over 4
1504 2013
1510C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 2019C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1511be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 2020be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1512a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 2021a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1513path for as long as the watcher is active. 2022path for as long as the watcher is active.
1514 2023
1515The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 2024The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1516relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 2025relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1517last change was detected). 2026last change was detected).
1518 2027
1519=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 2028=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1520 2029
1521Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 2030Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1522watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 2031watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1523detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 2032detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1524useful simply to find out the new values. 2033the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
2034new values.
1525 2035
1526=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 2036=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1527 2037
1528The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 2038The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1529C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types 2039C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1530suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there 2040suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
2041members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1531was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 2042some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1532 2043
1533=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 2044=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1534 2045
1535The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 2046The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1536C<prev> != C<attr>. 2047C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
2048differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
2049C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1537 2050
1538=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 2051=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1539 2052
1540The specified interval. 2053The specified interval.
1541 2054
1542=item const char *path [read-only] 2055=item const char *path [read-only]
1543 2056
1544The filesystem path that is being watched. 2057The file system path that is being watched.
1545 2058
1546=back 2059=back
1547 2060
2061=head3 Examples
2062
1548Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 2063Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1549 2064
1550 static void 2065 static void
1551 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 2066 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1552 { 2067 {
1553 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 2068 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1554 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 2069 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1555 { 2070 {
1556 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 2071 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1557 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2072 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1558 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2073 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1559 } 2074 }
1560 else 2075 else
1561 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 2076 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1562 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 2077 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1563 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 2078 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1564 } 2079 }
1565 2080
1566 ... 2081 ...
1567 ev_stat passwd; 2082 ev_stat passwd;
1568 2083
1569 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 2084 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1570 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2085 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2086
2087Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
2088miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
2089one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
2090C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
2091
2092 static ev_stat passwd;
2093 static ev_timer timer;
2094
2095 static void
2096 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2097 {
2098 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
2099
2100 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
2101 }
2102
2103 static void
2104 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
2105 {
2106 /* reset the one-second timer */
2107 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
2108 }
2109
2110 ...
2111 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
2112 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2113 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1571 2114
1572 2115
1573=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 2116=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1574 2117
1575Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher 2118Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1576priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not 2119priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1577count). 2120as receiving "events").
1578 2121
1579That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts 2122That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1580(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be 2123(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1581triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers 2124triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1582are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop 2125are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1601kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2144kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1602believe me. 2145believe me.
1603 2146
1604=back 2147=back
1605 2148
2149=head3 Examples
2150
1606Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 2151Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1607callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2152callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1608 2153
1609 static void 2154 static void
1610 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 2155 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1611 { 2156 {
1612 free (w); 2157 free (w);
1613 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2158 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1614 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 2159 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1615 } 2160 }
1616 2161
1617 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 2162 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1618 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2163 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1619 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2164 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1620 2165
1621 2166
1622=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2167=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1623 2168
1624Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 2169Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1625prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2170prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1626afterwards. 2171afterwards.
1627 2172
1628You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2173You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1629the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2174the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1632those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2177those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1633C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2178C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1634called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 2179called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1635 2180
1636Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 2181Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1637their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 2182their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1638variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 2183variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1639coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 2184coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1640you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example, 2185you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1641in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare> 2186in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1642watcher). 2187watcher).
1643 2188
1644This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 2189This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1645to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 2190need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1646them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 2191for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1647provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 2192libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1648any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 2193you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1649and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 2194of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1650callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 2195I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1651because you never know, you know?). 2196nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1652 2197
1653As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 2198As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1654coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 2199coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1655during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 2200during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1656are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines 2201are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1659loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2204loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1660low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2205low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1661 2206
1662It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 2207It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1663priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 2208priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
2209after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
2210
1664after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, 2211Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1665too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully 2212activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1666supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers 2213might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1667did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other 2214C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1668(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable 2215loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1669state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to 2216C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1670coexist peacefully with others). 2217others).
1671 2218
1672=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2219=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1673 2220
1674=over 4 2221=over 4
1675 2222
1677 2224
1678=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 2225=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1679 2226
1680Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 2227Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1681parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 2228parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1682macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 2229macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
2230pointless.
1683 2231
1684=back 2232=back
2233
2234=head3 Examples
1685 2235
1686There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules 2236There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1687into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev 2237into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1688(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could 2238(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1689use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> 2239use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1690embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV 2240Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1691into the Glib event loop). 2241Glib event loop).
1692 2242
1693Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, 2243Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1694and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows 2244and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1695is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low 2245is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1696priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as 2246priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1697the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet. 2247the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1698 2248
1699 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 2249 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1700 static ev_timer tw; 2250 static ev_timer tw;
1701 2251
1702 static void 2252 static void
1703 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2253 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1704 { 2254 {
1705 } 2255 }
1706 2256
1707 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2257 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1708 static void 2258 static void
1709 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2259 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1710 { 2260 {
1711 int timeout = 3600000; 2261 int timeout = 3600000;
1712 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2262 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1713 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2263 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1714 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2264 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1715 2265
1716 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2266 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1717 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2267 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1718 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2268 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1719 2269
1720 // create one ev_io per pollfd 2270 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1721 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2271 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1722 { 2272 {
1723 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2273 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1724 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2274 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1725 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2275 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1726 2276
1727 fds [i].revents = 0; 2277 fds [i].revents = 0;
1728 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2278 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1729 } 2279 }
1730 } 2280 }
1731 2281
1732 // stop all watchers after blocking 2282 // stop all watchers after blocking
1733 static void 2283 static void
1734 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2284 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1735 { 2285 {
1736 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2286 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1737 2287
1738 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2288 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1739 { 2289 {
1740 // set the relevant poll flags 2290 // set the relevant poll flags
1741 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here 2291 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1742 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i; 2292 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1743 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i); 2293 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1744 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN; 2294 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1745 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT; 2295 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1746 2296
1747 // now stop the watcher 2297 // now stop the watcher
1748 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2298 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1749 } 2299 }
1750 2300
1751 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2301 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1752 } 2302 }
1753 2303
1754Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll> 2304Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1755in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher. 2305in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1756 2306
1757Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event 2307Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1758notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher 2308notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1759callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher. 2309callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1760 2310
1761 static void 2311 static void
1762 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2312 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1763 { 2313 {
1764 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data; 2314 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1765 update_now (EV_A); 2315 update_now (EV_A);
1766 2316
1767 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now); 2317 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1768 } 2318 }
1769 2319
1770 static void 2320 static void
1771 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents) 2321 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1772 { 2322 {
1773 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data; 2323 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1774 update_now (EV_A); 2324 update_now (EV_A);
1775 2325
1776 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now); 2326 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1777 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now); 2327 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1778 } 2328 }
1779 2329
1780 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll 2330 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1781 2331
1782Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you 2332Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1783want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override 2333want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1784their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main 2334override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1785loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does 2335main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1786this. 2336this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
2337libglib event loop.
1787 2338
1788 static gint 2339 static gint
1789 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout) 2340 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1790 { 2341 {
1791 int got_events = 0; 2342 int got_events = 0;
1792 2343
1793 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n) 2344 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1794 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events 2345 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1795 2346
1796 if (timeout >= 0) 2347 if (timeout >= 0)
1797 // create/start timer 2348 // create/start timer
1798 2349
1799 // poll 2350 // poll
1800 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2351 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1801 2352
1802 // stop timer again 2353 // stop timer again
1803 if (timeout >= 0) 2354 if (timeout >= 0)
1804 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 2355 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1805 2356
1806 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set 2357 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1807 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n) 2358 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1808 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]); 2359 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1809 2360
1810 return got_events; 2361 return got_events;
1811 } 2362 }
1812 2363
1813 2364
1814=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2365=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1815 2366
1816This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2367This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1822prioritise I/O. 2373prioritise I/O.
1823 2374
1824As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 2375As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1825sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you 2376sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1826still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales 2377still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1827so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it 2378so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1828into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will 2379it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1829be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but 2380will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1830at least you can use both at what they are best. 2381C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
2382best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1831 2383
1832As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 2384As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1833to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 2385some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1834priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 2386and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1835you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 2387this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1836a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2388the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1837 2389
1838As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2390As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1839there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2391there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1840call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2392call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
1841their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2393their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
1849interested in that. 2401interested in that.
1850 2402
1851Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2403Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
1852when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2404when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
1853but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2405but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
1854yourself. 2406yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
2407and future versions of libev might do just that.
1855 2408
1856Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by 2409Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1857C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2410C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1858portable one. 2411portable one.
1859 2412
1860So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2413So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1861that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 2414that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1862this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 2415this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1863create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2416create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1864 2417
1865 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2418=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1866 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1867 struct ev_embed embed;
1868
1869 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1870 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1871 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1872 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1873 : 0;
1874 2419
1875 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi 2420While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1876 if (loop_lo) 2421automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1877 { 2422fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1878 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo); 2423however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1879 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 2424as applicable.
1880 }
1881 else
1882 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1883 2425
1884=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2426=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1885 2427
1886=over 4 2428=over 4
1887 2429
1891 2433
1892Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2434Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1893embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2435embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1894invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2436invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1895to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2437to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1896if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2438if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1897 2439
1898=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2440=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1899 2441
1900Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2442Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1901similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2443similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1902apropriate way for embedded loops. 2444appropriate way for embedded loops.
1903 2445
1904=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 2446=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1905 2447
1906The embedded event loop. 2448The embedded event loop.
1907 2449
1908=back 2450=back
2451
2452=head3 Examples
2453
2454Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2455event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2456loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2457C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2458used).
2459
2460 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2461 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2462 ev_embed embed;
2463
2464 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2465 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2466 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2467 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2468 : 0;
2469
2470 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2471 if (loop_lo)
2472 {
2473 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2474 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2475 }
2476 else
2477 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2478
2479Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2480a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2481kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2482C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2483
2484 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2485 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2486 ev_embed embed;
2487
2488 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2489 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2490 {
2491 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2492 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2493 }
2494
2495 if (!loop_socket)
2496 loop_socket = loop;
2497
2498 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1909 2499
1910 2500
1911=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2501=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1912 2502
1913Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2503Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1929believe me. 2519believe me.
1930 2520
1931=back 2521=back
1932 2522
1933 2523
2524=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2525
2526In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2527asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2528loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2529
2530Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2531control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2532C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2533can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2534safe.
2535
2536This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2537too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2538(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2539C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2540
2541Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2542just the default loop.
2543
2544=head3 Queueing
2545
2546C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2547is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2548multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2549need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2550
2551That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2552queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2553queue:
2554
2555=over 4
2556
2557=item queueing from a signal handler context
2558
2559To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2560handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2561an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2562
2563 static ev_async mysig;
2564
2565 static void
2566 sigusr1_handler (void)
2567 {
2568 sometype data;
2569
2570 // no locking etc.
2571 queue_put (data);
2572 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2573 }
2574
2575 static void
2576 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2577 {
2578 sometype data;
2579 sigset_t block, prev;
2580
2581 sigemptyset (&block);
2582 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2583 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2584
2585 while (queue_get (&data))
2586 process (data);
2587
2588 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2589 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2590 }
2591
2592(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2593instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2594either...).
2595
2596=item queueing from a thread context
2597
2598The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2599threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2600employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2601
2602 static ev_async mysig;
2603 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2604
2605 static void
2606 otherthread (void)
2607 {
2608 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2609 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2610 queue_put (data);
2611 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2612
2613 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2614 }
2615
2616 static void
2617 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2618 {
2619 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2620
2621 while (queue_get (&data))
2622 process (data);
2623
2624 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2625 }
2626
2627=back
2628
2629
2630=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2631
2632=over 4
2633
2634=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2635
2636Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2637kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2638trust me.
2639
2640=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2641
2642Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2643an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2644C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2645similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2646section below on what exactly this means).
2647
2648This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2649so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2650calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2651
2652=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2653
2654Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2655watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2656event loop.
2657
2658C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2659the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2660it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2661quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2662
2663Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
2664whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
2665
2666=back
2667
2668
1934=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2669=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1935 2670
1936There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 2671There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1937 2672
1938=over 4 2673=over 4
1939 2674
1940=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 2675=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1941 2676
1942This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 2677This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1943callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 2678callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1944watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 2679watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1945or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 2680or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1946more watchers yourself. 2681more watchers yourself.
1947 2682
1948If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 2683If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1949is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 2684C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1950C<events> set will be craeted and started. 2685the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1951 2686
1952If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 2687If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1953started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 2688started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1954repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 2689repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1955dubious value.
1956 2690
1957The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 2691The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1958passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 2692passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1959C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 2693C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1960value passed to C<ev_once>: 2694value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2695a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2696events precedence.
1961 2697
2698Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2699
1962 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 2700 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1963 { 2701 {
1964 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1965 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1966 else if (revents & EV_READ) 2702 if (revents & EV_READ)
1967 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 2703 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2704 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2705 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1968 } 2706 }
1969 2707
1970 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 2708 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1971 2709
1972=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 2710=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1973 2711
1974Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 2712Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1975had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 2713had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1976initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 2714initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1977 2715
1978=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 2716=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1979 2717
1980Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 2718Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1981the given events it. 2719the given events it.
1982 2720
1983=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 2721=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1984 2722
1985Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 2723Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1986loop!). 2724loop!).
1987 2725
1988=back 2726=back
1989 2727
1990 2728
2006 2744
2007=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 2745=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2008will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 2746will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2009is an ev_pri field. 2747is an ev_pri field.
2010 2748
2749=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2750first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
2751
2011=item * Other members are not supported. 2752=item * Other members are not supported.
2012 2753
2013=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 2754=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2014to use the libev header file and library. 2755to use the libev header file and library.
2015 2756
2016=back 2757=back
2017 2758
2018=head1 C++ SUPPORT 2759=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2019 2760
2020Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 2761Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2021you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 2762you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2022the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 2763the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2023 2764
2024To use it, 2765To use it,
2025 2766
2026 #include <ev++.h> 2767 #include <ev++.h>
2027 2768
2028This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 2769This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2029of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 2770of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2030put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 2771put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2031options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 2772options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
2098your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the 2839your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2099thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback. 2840thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2100 2841
2101Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation 2842Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2102 2843
2103 struct myclass 2844 struct myclass
2104 { 2845 {
2105 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 2846 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2106 } 2847 }
2107 2848
2108 myclass obj; 2849 myclass obj;
2109 ev::io iow; 2850 ev::io iow;
2110 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2851 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2111 2852
2112=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 2853=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2113 2854
2114Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 2855Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2115callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 2856callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2117 2858
2118The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>. 2859The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2119 2860
2120See the method-C<set> above for more details. 2861See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2121 2862
2122Example: 2863Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2123 2864
2124 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 2865 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2125 iow.set <io_cb> (); 2866 iow.set <io_cb> ();
2126 2867
2127=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2868=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2128 2869
2129Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2870Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2130do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2871do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2131 2872
2132=item w->set ([args]) 2873=item w->set ([arguments])
2133 2874
2134Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 2875Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2135called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2876called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2136automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 2877automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2137method. 2878method.
2138 2879
2139=item w->start () 2880=item w->start ()
2163=back 2904=back
2164 2905
2165Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 2906Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2166the constructor. 2907the constructor.
2167 2908
2168 class myclass 2909 class myclass
2169 { 2910 {
2170 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2911 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2171 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2912 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2172 2913
2173 myclass (); 2914 myclass (int fd)
2174 } 2915 {
2175
2176 myclass::myclass (int fd)
2177 {
2178 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 2916 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2179 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 2917 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2180 2918
2181 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2919 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2920 }
2182 } 2921 };
2922
2923
2924=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2925
2926Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2927number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2928any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2929me a note.
2930
2931=over 4
2932
2933=item Perl
2934
2935The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2936libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2937there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2938to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2939C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
2940and C<EV::Glib>).
2941
2942It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2943L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2944
2945=item Python
2946
2947Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2948seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
2949patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2950for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2951libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2952libev).
2953
2954=item Ruby
2955
2956Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2957of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2958more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2959L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2960
2961=item D
2962
2963Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2964be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2965
2966=item Ocaml
2967
2968Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
2969L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2970
2971=back
2183 2972
2184 2973
2185=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2974=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2186 2975
2187Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal 2976Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2188of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) 2977of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2189functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2978functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2190 2979
2191To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2980To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2192following macros are defined: 2981following macros are defined:
2197 2986
2198This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 2987This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2199loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 2988loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2200C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 2989C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2201 2990
2202 ev_unref (EV_A); 2991 ev_unref (EV_A);
2203 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 2992 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2204 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2993 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2205 2994
2206It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 2995It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2207which is often provided by the following macro. 2996which is often provided by the following macro.
2208 2997
2209=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 2998=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2210 2999
2211This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 3000This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2212loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 3001loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2213C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 3002C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2214 3003
2215 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 3004 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
2216 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 3005 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2217 3006
2218 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 3007 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
2219 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3008 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2220 3009
2221It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 3010It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2222suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 3011suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2223 3012
2224=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 3013=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2225 3014
2226Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 3015Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2227loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 3016loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
3017
3018=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3019
3020Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3021default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3022is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
3023execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
3024
3025It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
3026watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2228 3027
2229=back 3028=back
2230 3029
2231Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above 3030Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2232macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported 3031macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2233or not. 3032or not.
2234 3033
2235 static void 3034 static void
2236 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3035 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2237 { 3036 {
2238 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 3037 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2239 } 3038 }
2240 3039
2241 ev_check check; 3040 ev_check check;
2242 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 3041 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2243 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 3042 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2244 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 3043 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2245 3044
2246=head1 EMBEDDING 3045=head1 EMBEDDING
2247 3046
2248Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 3047Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2249applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 3048applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
2256libev somewhere in your source tree). 3055libev somewhere in your source tree).
2257 3056
2258=head2 FILESETS 3057=head2 FILESETS
2259 3058
2260Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 3059Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2261in your app. 3060in your application.
2262 3061
2263=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 3062=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2264 3063
2265To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 3064To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2266configuration (no autoconf): 3065configuration (no autoconf):
2267 3066
2268 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3067 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2269 #include "ev.c" 3068 #include "ev.c"
2270 3069
2271This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 3070This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2272single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 3071single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2273it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 3072it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2274done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 3073done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2275where you can put other configuration options): 3074where you can put other configuration options):
2276 3075
2277 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3076 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2278 #include "ev.h" 3077 #include "ev.h"
2279 3078
2280Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3079Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2281compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3080compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2282as a bug). 3081as a bug).
2283 3082
2284You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3083You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2285in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3084in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2286 3085
2287 ev.h 3086 ev.h
2288 ev.c 3087 ev.c
2289 ev_vars.h 3088 ev_vars.h
2290 ev_wrap.h 3089 ev_wrap.h
2291 3090
2292 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 3091 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2293 3092
2294 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 3093 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2295 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3094 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2296 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3095 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2297 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3096 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2298 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3097 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2299 3098
2300F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 3099F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2301to compile this single file. 3100to compile this single file.
2302 3101
2303=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 3102=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2304 3103
2305To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 3104To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2306 3105
2307 #include "event.c" 3106 #include "event.c"
2308 3107
2309in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 3108in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2310 3109
2311 #include "event.h" 3110 #include "event.h"
2312 3111
2313in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 3112in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2314 3113
2315You need the following additional files for this: 3114You need the following additional files for this:
2316 3115
2317 event.h 3116 event.h
2318 event.c 3117 event.c
2319 3118
2320=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 3119=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2321 3120
2322Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 3121Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2323whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 3122whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2324F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 3123F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2325include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 3124include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2326 3125
2327For this of course you need the m4 file: 3126For this of course you need the m4 file:
2328 3127
2329 libev.m4 3128 libev.m4
2330 3129
2331=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 3130=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2332 3131
2333Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define 3132Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2334before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity 3133define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2335and only include the select backend. 3134autoconf is documented for every option.
2336 3135
2337=over 4 3136=over 4
2338 3137
2339=item EV_STANDALONE 3138=item EV_STANDALONE
2340 3139
2345F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3144F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2346 3145
2347=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3146=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2348 3147
2349If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3148If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2350monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 3149monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2351of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3150of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2352usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3151usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2353the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 3152the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2354to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3153to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2355function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3154function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2356 3155
2357=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3156=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2358 3157
2359If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3158If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2360realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 3159real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2361runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 3160runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2362be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3161be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2363(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 3162(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2364note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3163note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2365 3164
2366=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 3165=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2367 3166
2368If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 3167If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2369and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 3168and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2370 3169
3170=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
3171
3172If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
3173available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3174C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3175If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
31762.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3177
2371=item EV_USE_SELECT 3178=item EV_USE_SELECT
2372 3179
2373If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 3180If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2374C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 3181C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2375other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 3182other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2376will not be compiled in. 3183will not be compiled in.
2377 3184
2378=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3185=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2379 3186
2380If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3187If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2381structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3188structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2382C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 3189C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2383exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3190exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2384low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3191low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2385allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3192allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2386influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3193influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2387 3194
2393be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 3200be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2394C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 3201C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2395it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 3202it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2396on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 3203on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2397 3204
3205=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
3206
3207If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3208file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3209default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3210correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3211in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
3212
2398=item EV_USE_POLL 3213=item EV_USE_POLL
2399 3214
2400If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 3215If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2401backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 3216backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2402takes precedence over select. 3217takes precedence over select.
2403 3218
2404=item EV_USE_EPOLL 3219=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2405 3220
2406If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 3221If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2407C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 3222C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2408otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 3223otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2409preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems. 3224backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3225headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2410 3226
2411=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 3227=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2412 3228
2413If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 3229If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2414C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 3230C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2427otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 3243otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2428backend for Solaris 10 systems. 3244backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2429 3245
2430=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 3246=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2431 3247
2432reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 3248Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2433 3249
2434=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 3250=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2435 3251
2436If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 3252If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2437interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 3253interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2438be detected at runtime. 3254be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3255indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3256
3257=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3258
3259Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3260access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
3261type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
3262that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
3263as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3264
3265In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3266(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2439 3267
2440=item EV_H 3268=item EV_H
2441 3269
2442The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3270The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2443undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 3271undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2444can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 3272used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2445 3273
2446=item EV_CONFIG_H 3274=item EV_CONFIG_H
2447 3275
2448If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 3276If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2449F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 3277F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2450C<EV_H>, above. 3278C<EV_H>, above.
2451 3279
2452=item EV_EVENT_H 3280=item EV_EVENT_H
2453 3281
2454Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 3282Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2455of how the F<event.h> header can be found. 3283of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2456 3284
2457=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3285=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2458 3286
2459If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 3287If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2460prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 3288prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2481When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search 3309When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2482all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space 3310all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2483and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually 3311and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2484fine. 3312fine.
2485 3313
2486If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to 3314If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2487C<0> will save some memory and cpu. 3315both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2488 3316
2489=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3317=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2490 3318
2491If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 3319If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2492defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 3320defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2499code. 3327code.
2500 3328
2501=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 3329=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2502 3330
2503If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If 3331If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2504defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3332defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3333watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2505 3334
2506=item EV_STAT_ENABLE 3335=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2507 3336
2508If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If 3337If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2509defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3338defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2511=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 3340=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2512 3341
2513If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 3342If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2514defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3343defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2515 3344
3345=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3346
3347If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3348defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3349
2516=item EV_MINIMAL 3350=item EV_MINIMAL
2517 3351
2518If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 3352If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2519speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 3353speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2520some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 3354inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
3355much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2521 3356
2522=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3357=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2523 3358
2524C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3359C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2525pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 3360pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2532inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 3367inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2533usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 3368usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2534watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 3369watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2535two). 3370two).
2536 3371
3372=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3373
3374Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3375timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3376to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3377faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3378
3379The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3380(disabled).
3381
3382=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3383
3384Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3385timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3386the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3387which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3388but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3389noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3390
3391The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3392(disabled).
3393
3394=item EV_VERIFY
3395
3396Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
3397be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3398in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3399called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3400called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3401verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3402libev considerably.
3403
3404The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
3405C<0>.
3406
2537=item EV_COMMON 3407=item EV_COMMON
2538 3408
2539By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3409By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2540this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 3410this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2541members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 3411members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2542though, and it must be identical each time. 3412though, and it must be identical each time.
2543 3413
2544For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3414For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2545 3415
2546 #define EV_COMMON \ 3416 #define EV_COMMON \
2547 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3417 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2548 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3418 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2549 3419
2550=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3420=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2551 3421
2552=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3422=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2553 3423
2558definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for 3428definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2559their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3429their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2560avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 3430avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2561method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 3431method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2562 3432
3433=back
3434
2563=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS 3435=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
2564 3436
2565If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of 3437If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
2566exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list 3438exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
2567all public symbols, one per line: 3439all public symbols, one per line:
2568 3440
2569 Symbols.ev for libev proper 3441 Symbols.ev for libev proper
2570 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation 3442 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
2571 3443
2572This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with 3444This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
2573multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in 3445multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
2574itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this). 3446itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
2575 3447
2576A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to 3448A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
2577include before including F<ev.h>: 3449include before including F<ev.h>:
2578 3450
2579 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h 3451 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
2596file. 3468file.
2597 3469
2598The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 3470The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2599that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 3471that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2600 3472
2601 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 3473 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2602 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3474 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2603 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3475 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2604 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 3476 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2605 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 3477 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2606 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 3478 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2607 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3479 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2608 #define EV_MINPRI 0 3480 #define EV_MINPRI 0
2609 #define EV_MAXPRI 0 3481 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2610 3482
2611 #include "ev++.h" 3483 #include "ev++.h"
2612 3484
2613And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 3485And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2614 3486
2615 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3487 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2616 #include "ev.c" 3488 #include "ev.c"
2617 3489
3490=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2618 3491
3492=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3493
3494=head3 THREADS
3495
3496All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3497documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3498that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3499are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3500parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
3501of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
3502structures that need any locking.
3503
3504Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
3505concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
3506must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
3507only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
3508a mutex per loop).
3509
3510Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
3511so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
3512concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
3513outside".
3514
3515If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3516without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3517help you, but here is some generic advice:
3518
3519=over 4
3520
3521=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3522in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3523
3524This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3525themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3526
3527=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3528
3529Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3530exists, but it is always a good start.
3531
3532=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3533loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3534
3535Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3536better than you currently do :-)
3537
3538=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
3539event loop.
3540
3541C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
3542(or from signal contexts...).
3543
3544An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3545work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3546default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3547watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3548
3549=back
3550
3551=head3 COROUTINES
3552
3553Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3554libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3555coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
3556different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
3557loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
3558you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3559
3560Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3561C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3562they do not clal any callbacks.
3563
3564=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3565
3566Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3567lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3568scared by this.
3569
3570However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3571has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3572warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
3573targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3574
3575Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3576workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3577maintainable.
3578
3579And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3580wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3581seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3582warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
3583been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3584such buggy versions.
3585
3586While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3587"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3588with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
3589them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
3590warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3591
3592
3593=head2 VALGRIND
3594
3595Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3596highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3597
3598If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
3599in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3600
3601 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3602 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3603 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3604
3605Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3606is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak.
3607
3608Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3609as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3610although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3611confused.
3612
3613Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
3614make it into some kind of religion.
3615
3616If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
3617with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
3618is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
3619annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
3620of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
3621
3622If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3623I suggest using suppression lists.
3624
3625
3626=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3627
3628=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3629
3630Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3631requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3632model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3633the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3634descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3635e.g. cygwin.
3636
3637Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3638re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
3639things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
3640way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3641
3642There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3643embedding it into other applications.
3644
3645Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3646accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3647either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3648so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3649megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
3650available).
3651
3652Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3653the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3654is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3655more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3656different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3657notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3658(Microsoft monopoly games).
3659
3660A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3661section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3662of F<ev.h>:
3663
3664 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
3665 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
3666
3667 #include "ev.h"
3668
3669And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
3670you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3671
3672 #include "evwrap.h"
3673 #include "ev.c"
3674
3675=over 4
3676
3677=item The winsocket select function
3678
3679The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3680requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3681also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3682requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3683C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3684discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
3685C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3686
3687The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3688libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3689
3690 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3691 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3692
3693Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3694complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3695
3696=item Limited number of file descriptors
3697
3698Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3699
3700Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3701of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3702can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3703recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3704previous thread in each. Great).
3705
3706Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3707to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3708call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3709select emulation on windows).
3710
3711Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3712libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3713or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3714C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3715arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3716libraries.
3717
3718This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3719windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3720wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3721calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3722
3723=back
3724
3725=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3726
3727In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3728backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3729
3730=over 4
3731
3732=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
3733calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
3734
3735Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3736structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3737assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3738callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3739calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
3740
3741=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3742
3743The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3744C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
3745threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3746believed to be sufficiently portable.
3747
3748=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3749
3750Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
3751allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
3752pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
3753thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3754be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3755C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3756
3757The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3758except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
3759well.
3760
3761=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3762
3763To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
3764instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
3765systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
3766least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
3767watchers.
3768
3769=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3770
3771The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3772have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
3773enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
3774implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
3775
3776=back
3777
3778If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3779
3780
2619=head1 COMPLEXITIES 3781=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2620 3782
2621In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 3783In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2622libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 3784libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2623documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 3785the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2624 3786
2625All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be 3787All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2626extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this 3788extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2627happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might 3789happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2628mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average 3790mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
2629it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time. 3791average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2630 3792
2631=over 4 3793=over 4
2632 3794
2633=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 3795=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2634 3796
2635This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and 3797This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2636there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will 3798there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
2637have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers. 3799have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2638 3800
2639=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 3801=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2640 3802
2641That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 3803That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
2642as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for. 3804as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2643 3805
2644=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 3806=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2645 3807
2646These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 3808These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2647 3809
2648=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3810=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2649 3811
2650=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3812=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2651 3813
2652These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 3814These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
2653correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 3815correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2654have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal). 3816have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
3817is rare).
2655 3818
2656=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1) 3819=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
2657 3820
2658By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the 3821By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
2659beginning of the storage array. 3822fixed position in the storage array.
2660 3823
2661=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 3824=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2662 3825
2663A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires 3826A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2664libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending 3827libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
2665on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used). 3828on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2666 3829
2667=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1) 3830=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2668 3831
2669=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 3832=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2670 3833
2671Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 3834Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2672priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 3835priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2673linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating 3836linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
2674watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling. 3837watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
3838
3839=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3840
3841=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3842
3843=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3844
3845Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3846calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3847involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2675 3848
2676=back 3849=back
2677 3850
2678 3851
2679=head1 AUTHOR 3852=head1 AUTHOR

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