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Revision 1.138 by root, Mon Mar 31 01:14:12 2008 UTC

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
19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */ 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_ struct 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_ struct 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 struct 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://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.
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
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<struct 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
297enabling this flag. 312enabling this flag.
298 313
299This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 314This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
300and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 315and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
301iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 316iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
302Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 317GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
303without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has 318without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
304C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 319C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
305 320
306The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 321The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
307forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 322forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
308flag. 323flag.
505=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 520=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
506 521
507Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 522Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
508C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 523C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
509after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 524after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
525
526=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
527
528Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.
510 529
511=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 530=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
512 531
513Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 532Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
514the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 533the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
774=item C<EV_FORK> 793=item C<EV_FORK>
775 794
776The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 795The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
777C<ev_fork>). 796C<ev_fork>).
778 797
798=item C<EV_ASYNC>
799
800The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
801
779=item C<EV_ERROR> 802=item C<EV_ERROR>
780 803
781An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 804An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might
782happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 805happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
783ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 806ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
1062To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1085To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1063C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1086C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1064enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1087enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1065C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1088C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1066 1089
1090=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1091
1092While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:
1093when reading from a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program
1094gets send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most
1095programs this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually
1096undesirable.
1097
1098So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1099ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1100somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1101
1067 1102
1068=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1103=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1069 1104
1070=over 4 1105=over 4
1071 1106
1148configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1183configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
1149exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1184exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
1150the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1185the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
1151timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1186timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1152 1187
1153=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1188=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1154 1189
1155This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1190This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1156repeating. The exact semantics are: 1191repeating. The exact semantics are:
1157 1192
1158If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 1193If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1267In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1302In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time
1268C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1303C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,
1269that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1304that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the
1270system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1305system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1271 1306
1272=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1307=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1273 1308
1274In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1309In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1275C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 1310C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1276and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 1311and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1277 1312
1411with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1446with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1412as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1447as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1413watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1448watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1414SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1449SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1415 1450
1451If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1452C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly
1453interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by
1454signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1455them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1456
1416=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1457=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1417 1458
1418=over 4 1459=over 4
1419 1460
1420=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1461=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1428 1469
1429The signal the watcher watches out for. 1470The signal the watcher watches out for.
1430 1471
1431=back 1472=back
1432 1473
1474=head3 Examples
1475
1476Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1477
1478 static void
1479 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1480 {
1481 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1482 }
1483
1484 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1485 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1486 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
1487
1433 1488
1434=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1489=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1435 1490
1436Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1491Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1437some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1492some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It
1493is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been
1494forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event
1495loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).
1496
1497Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1498you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.
1499
1500=head3 Process Interaction
1501
1502Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1503initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1504the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance
1505of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1506synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1507children, even ones not watched.
1508
1509=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1510
1511Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
1512processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
1513handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1514C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1515default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1516event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1517that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1438 1518
1439=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1519=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1440 1520
1441=over 4 1521=over 4
1442 1522
1468 1548
1469=back 1549=back
1470 1550
1471=head3 Examples 1551=head3 Examples
1472 1552
1473Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1553Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1554its completion.
1555
1556 ev_child cw;
1474 1557
1475 static void 1558 static void
1476 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1559 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)
1477 { 1560 {
1478 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1561 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1562 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1479 } 1563 }
1480 1564
1481 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1565 pid_t pid = fork ();
1482 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1566
1483 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1567 if (pid < 0)
1568 // error
1569 else if (pid == 0)
1570 {
1571 // the forked child executes here
1572 exit (1);
1573 }
1574 else
1575 {
1576 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1577 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1578 }
1484 1579
1485 1580
1486=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1581=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1487 1582
1488This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1583This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1517semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1612semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1518to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1613to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1519usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1614usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1520polling. 1615polling.
1521 1616
1617=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1618
1619Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1620compilation environment, which means that on systems with optionally
1621disabled large file support, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1622structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1623use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1624compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1625obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1626most noticably with ev_stat and largefile support.
1627
1522=head3 Inotify 1628=head3 Inotify
1523 1629
1524When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only 1630When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only
1525available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up 1631available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1526change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily 1632change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily
1568 1674
1569The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 1675The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,
1570relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 1676relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1571last change was detected). 1677last change was detected).
1572 1678
1573=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 1679=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1574 1680
1575Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 1681Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1576watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 1682watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid
1577detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 1683detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be
1578useful simply to find out the new values. 1684useful simply to find out the new values.
2046believe me. 2152believe me.
2047 2153
2048=back 2154=back
2049 2155
2050 2156
2157=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2158
2159In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2160asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2161loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2162
2163Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2164control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2165C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2166can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2167safe.
2168
2169This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2170too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2171(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2172C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2173
2174Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2175just the default loop.
2176
2177=head3 Queueing
2178
2179C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2180is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2181multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2182need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2183
2184That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2185queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your
2186queue:
2187
2188=over 4
2189
2190=item queueing from a signal handler context
2191
2192To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2193handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for
2194some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:
2195
2196 static ev_async mysig;
2197
2198 static void
2199 sigusr1_handler (void)
2200 {
2201 sometype data;
2202
2203 // no locking etc.
2204 queue_put (data);
2205 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2206 }
2207
2208 static void
2209 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2210 {
2211 sometype data;
2212 sigset_t block, prev;
2213
2214 sigemptyset (&block);
2215 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2216 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2217
2218 while (queue_get (&data))
2219 process (data);
2220
2221 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2222 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2223 }
2224
2225(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2226instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2227either...).
2228
2229=item queueing from a thread context
2230
2231The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2232threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2233employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2234
2235 static ev_async mysig;
2236 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2237
2238 static void
2239 otherthread (void)
2240 {
2241 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2242 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2243 queue_put (data);
2244 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2245
2246 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2247 }
2248
2249 static void
2250 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2251 {
2252 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2253
2254 while (queue_get (&data))
2255 process (data);
2256
2257 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2258 }
2259
2260=back
2261
2262
2263=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2264
2265=over 4
2266
2267=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2268
2269Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2270kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2271believe me.
2272
2273=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2274
2275Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2276an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2277C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or
2278similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2279section below on what exactly this means).
2280
2281This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,
2282so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2283calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2284
2285=back
2286
2287
2051=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2288=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2052 2289
2053There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 2290There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2054 2291
2055=over 4 2292=over 4
2293 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 2530 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2294 2531
2295 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2532 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2296 } 2533 }
2297 }; 2534 };
2535
2536
2537=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2538
2539Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2540numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2541any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2542me a note.
2543
2544=over 4
2545
2546=item Perl
2547
2548The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2549libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2550there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2551to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the
2552C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).
2553
2554It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at
2555L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2556
2557=item Ruby
2558
2559Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2560of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2561more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2562L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2563
2564=item D
2565
2566Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2567be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>.
2568
2569=back
2298 2570
2299 2571
2300=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2572=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2301 2573
2302Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal 2574Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal
2558 2830
2559If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 2831If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2560interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 2832interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2561be detected at runtime. 2833be detected at runtime.
2562 2834
2835=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2836
2837Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2838access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2839type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2840that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2841as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2842
2843In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2844(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2845
2563=item EV_H 2846=item EV_H
2564 2847
2565The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 2848The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2566undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 2849undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2567used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 2850used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2632defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2915defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2633 2916
2634=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 2917=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2635 2918
2636If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 2919If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2920defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2921
2922=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
2923
2924If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
2637defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2925defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2638 2926
2639=item EV_MINIMAL 2927=item EV_MINIMAL
2640 2928
2641If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 2929If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2762=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 3050=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2763 3051
2764That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 3052That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
2765as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for. 3053as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2766 3054
2767=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 3055=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2768 3056
2769These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 3057These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2770 3058
2771=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3059=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2772 3060
2773=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3061=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2774 3062
2775These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 3063These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
2776correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 3064correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2792=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 3080=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2793 3081
2794Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 3082Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2795priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 3083priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2796linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating 3084linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
2797watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling. 3085watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3086
3087=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3088
3089=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3090
3091=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3092
3093Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3094calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3095involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2798 3096
2799=back 3097=back
2800 3098
2801 3099
2802=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds 3100=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds

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