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Revision 1.121 by root, Mon Jan 28 12:13:54 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.139 by root, Wed Apr 2 05:51:40 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
260flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 275flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261 276
262If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 277If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263function. 278function.
264 279
280Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
281from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
282as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
283
265The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 284The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
266C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 285C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
267for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either 286for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either
268create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 287create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
269can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 288can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
297enabling this flag. 316enabling this flag.
298 317
299This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 318This 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 319and 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 320iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
302Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 321GNU/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 322without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
304C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 323C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
305 324
306The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 325The 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 326forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
308flag. 327flag.
451Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 470Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
452always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 471always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
453handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 472handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
454undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 473undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
455 474
475Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
476libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
477default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
478
456Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 479Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
457 480
458 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 481 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
459 if (!epoller) 482 if (!epoller)
460 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 483 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
505=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 528=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
506 529
507Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 530Like 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 531C<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. 532after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
533
534=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
535
536Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.
510 537
511=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 538=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
512 539
513Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 540Returns 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 541the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
774=item C<EV_FORK> 801=item C<EV_FORK>
775 802
776The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 803The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
777C<ev_fork>). 804C<ev_fork>).
778 805
806=item C<EV_ASYNC>
807
808The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
809
779=item C<EV_ERROR> 810=item C<EV_ERROR>
780 811
781An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 812An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might
782happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 813happen 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 814ran 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 1093To 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, 1094C<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 1095enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1065C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1096C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1066 1097
1098=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1099
1100While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:
1101when reading from a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program
1102gets send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most
1103programs this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually
1104undesirable.
1105
1106So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1107ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1108somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1109
1067 1110
1068=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1111=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1069 1112
1070=over 4 1113=over 4
1071 1114
1148configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1191configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
1149exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1192exactly 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 1193the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
1151timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1194timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1152 1195
1153=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1196=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1154 1197
1155This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1198This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1156repeating. The exact semantics are: 1199repeating. The exact semantics are:
1157 1200
1158If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 1201If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1267In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1310In 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, 1311C<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 1312that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the
1270system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1313system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1271 1314
1272=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1315=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1273 1316
1274In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1317In 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) 1318C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1276and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 1319and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1277 1320
1411with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1454with 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 1455as 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 1456watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1414SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1457SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1415 1458
1459If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1460C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly
1461interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by
1462signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1463them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1464
1416=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1465=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1417 1466
1418=over 4 1467=over 4
1419 1468
1420=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1469=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1428 1477
1429The signal the watcher watches out for. 1478The signal the watcher watches out for.
1430 1479
1431=back 1480=back
1432 1481
1482=head3 Examples
1483
1484Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1485
1486 static void
1487 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1488 {
1489 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1490 }
1491
1492 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1493 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1494 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
1495
1433 1496
1434=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1497=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1435 1498
1436Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1499Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1437some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1500some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It
1501is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been
1502forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event
1503loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).
1504
1505Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1506you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop.
1507
1508=head3 Process Interaction
1509
1510Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1511initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1512the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance
1513of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1514synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1515children, even ones not watched.
1516
1517=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1518
1519Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
1520processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
1521handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1522C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1523default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1524event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1525that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1438 1526
1439=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1527=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1440 1528
1441=over 4 1529=over 4
1442 1530
1468 1556
1469=back 1557=back
1470 1558
1471=head3 Examples 1559=head3 Examples
1472 1560
1473Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1561Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1562its completion.
1563
1564 ev_child cw;
1474 1565
1475 static void 1566 static void
1476 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1567 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)
1477 { 1568 {
1478 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1569 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1570 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1479 } 1571 }
1480 1572
1481 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1573 pid_t pid = fork ();
1482 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1574
1483 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1575 if (pid < 0)
1576 // error
1577 else if (pid == 0)
1578 {
1579 // the forked child executes here
1580 exit (1);
1581 }
1582 else
1583 {
1584 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1585 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1586 }
1484 1587
1485 1588
1486=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1589=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1487 1590
1488This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1591This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1517semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1620semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1518to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1621to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1519usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1622usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1520polling. 1623polling.
1521 1624
1625=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1626
1627Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1628compilation environment, which means that on systems with optionally
1629disabled large file support, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1630structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1631use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1632compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1633obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1634most noticably with ev_stat and largefile support.
1635
1522=head3 Inotify 1636=head3 Inotify
1523 1637
1524When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only 1638When 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 1639available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1526change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily 1640change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily
1568 1682
1569The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 1683The 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 1684relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1571last change was detected). 1685last change was detected).
1572 1686
1573=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 1687=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1574 1688
1575Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 1689Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1576watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 1690watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid
1577detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 1691detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be
1578useful simply to find out the new values. 1692useful simply to find out the new values.
2046believe me. 2160believe me.
2047 2161
2048=back 2162=back
2049 2163
2050 2164
2165=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2166
2167In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2168asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2169loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2170
2171Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2172control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2173C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2174can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2175safe.
2176
2177This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2178too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2179(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2180C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2181
2182Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2183just the default loop.
2184
2185=head3 Queueing
2186
2187C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2188is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2189multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2190need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2191
2192That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2193queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your
2194queue:
2195
2196=over 4
2197
2198=item queueing from a signal handler context
2199
2200To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2201handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for
2202some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:
2203
2204 static ev_async mysig;
2205
2206 static void
2207 sigusr1_handler (void)
2208 {
2209 sometype data;
2210
2211 // no locking etc.
2212 queue_put (data);
2213 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2214 }
2215
2216 static void
2217 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2218 {
2219 sometype data;
2220 sigset_t block, prev;
2221
2222 sigemptyset (&block);
2223 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2224 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2225
2226 while (queue_get (&data))
2227 process (data);
2228
2229 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2230 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2231 }
2232
2233(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2234instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2235either...).
2236
2237=item queueing from a thread context
2238
2239The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2240threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2241employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2242
2243 static ev_async mysig;
2244 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2245
2246 static void
2247 otherthread (void)
2248 {
2249 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2250 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2251 queue_put (data);
2252 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2253
2254 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2255 }
2256
2257 static void
2258 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2259 {
2260 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2261
2262 while (queue_get (&data))
2263 process (data);
2264
2265 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2266 }
2267
2268=back
2269
2270
2271=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2272
2273=over 4
2274
2275=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2276
2277Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2278kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2279believe me.
2280
2281=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2282
2283Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2284an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2285C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or
2286similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2287section below on what exactly this means).
2288
2289This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,
2290so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2291calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2292
2293=back
2294
2295
2051=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2296=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2052 2297
2053There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 2298There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2054 2299
2055=over 4 2300=over 4
2293 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 2538 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2294 2539
2295 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2540 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2296 } 2541 }
2297 }; 2542 };
2543
2544
2545=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2546
2547Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2548numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2549any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2550me a note.
2551
2552=over 4
2553
2554=item Perl
2555
2556The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2557libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2558there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2559to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the
2560C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).
2561
2562It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at
2563L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2564
2565=item Ruby
2566
2567Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2568of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2569more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2570L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2571
2572=item D
2573
2574Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2575be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>.
2576
2577=back
2298 2578
2299 2579
2300=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2580=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2301 2581
2302Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal 2582Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal
2558 2838
2559If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 2839If 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 2840interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2561be detected at runtime. 2841be detected at runtime.
2562 2842
2843=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2844
2845Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2846access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2847type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2848that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2849as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2850
2851In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2852(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2853
2563=item EV_H 2854=item EV_H
2564 2855
2565The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 2856The 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 2857undefined 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. 2858used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2632defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2923defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2633 2924
2634=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 2925=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2635 2926
2636If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 2927If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2928defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2929
2930=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
2931
2932If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
2637defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2933defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2638 2934
2639=item EV_MINIMAL 2935=item EV_MINIMAL
2640 2936
2641If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 2937If 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) 3058=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2763 3059
2764That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 3060That 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. 3061as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2766 3062
2767=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 3063=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2768 3064
2769These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 3065These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2770 3066
2771=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3067=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2772 3068
2773=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3069=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2774 3070
2775These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 3071These 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 3072correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2792=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 3088=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2793 3089
2794Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 3090Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2795priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 3091priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2796linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating 3092linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
2797watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling. 3093watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3094
3095=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3096
3097=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3098
3099=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3100
3101Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3102calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3103involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2798 3104
2799=back 3105=back
2800 3106
2801 3107
2802=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds 3108=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds

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