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Revision 1.111 by root, Tue Dec 25 18:01:20 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.126 by root, Fri Feb 1 13:46:26 2008 UTC

260flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 260flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
261 261
262If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 262If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
263function. 263function.
264 264
265The 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
267for 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
269can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
270C<ev_default_init>.
271
265The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 272The 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>). 273backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
267 274
268The following flags are supported: 275The following flags are supported:
269 276
403While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 410While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
404file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 411file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
405descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 412descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
406might perform better. 413might perform better.
407 414
415On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this
416backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully
417embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.
418
408=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 419=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
409 420
410Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 421Try 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 422with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
412C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 423C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
414It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 425It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
415 426
416=back 427=back
417 428
418If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 429If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these
419backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 430backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
420specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 431specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
421order of their flag values :)
422 432
423The most typical usage is like this: 433The most typical usage is like this:
424 434
425 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 435 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
426 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 436 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
473Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 483Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
474earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 484earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
475 485
476=item ev_default_fork () 486=item ev_default_fork ()
477 487
488This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
478This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 489to 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 490name, 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 491the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
481again makes little sense). 492sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
493functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
482 494
483You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 495On 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 496process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
485fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 497you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
486 498
487The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 499The 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 500it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
489quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 501quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
490 502
491 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 503 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
492
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.
496 504
497=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 505=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
498 506
499Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 507Like 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 508C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
551usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 559usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
552 560
553Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 561Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
554 562
555 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 563 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
556 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 564 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
557 - Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 565 - If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers.
566 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
558 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 567 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
559 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 568 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
560 - Update the "event loop time". 569 - Update the "event loop time".
561 - Calculate for how long to block. 570 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
571 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
572 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
573 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
562 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 574 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
563 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 575 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
564 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 576 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.
565 - Queue all outstanding timers. 577 - Queue all outstanding timers.
566 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 578 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
567 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 579 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
568 - Queue all check watchers. 580 - Queue all check watchers.
569 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 581 - 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 582 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
571 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 583 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
572 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 584 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
573 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 585 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
586 continue with step *.
574 587
575Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 588Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
576anymore. 589anymore.
577 590
578 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 591 ... 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..) 592 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
580 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 593 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
584 597
585Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 598Can 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 599has 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 600C<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. 601C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
602
603This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
589 604
590=item ev_ref (loop) 605=item ev_ref (loop)
591 606
592=item ev_unref (loop) 607=item ev_unref (loop)
593 608
598returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 613returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For
599example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 614example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not
600visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 615visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
601no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 616no 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 617way 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>. 618libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
619(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
620respectively).
604 621
605Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 622Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
606running when nothing else is active. 623running when nothing else is active.
607 624
608 struct ev_signal exitsig; 625 struct ev_signal exitsig;
756 773
757=item C<EV_FORK> 774=item C<EV_FORK>
758 775
759The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 776The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
760C<ev_fork>). 777C<ev_fork>).
778
779=item C<EV_ASYNC>
780
781The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
761 782
762=item C<EV_ERROR> 783=item C<EV_ERROR>
763 784
764An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 785An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might
765happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 786happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
1421 1442
1422=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1443=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1423 1444
1424=over 4 1445=over 4
1425 1446
1426=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1447=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1427 1448
1428=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 1449=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1429 1450
1430Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 1451Configures 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 1452I<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 1453at 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 1454the 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 1455C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1435process causing the status change. 1456process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
1457activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
1458activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1436 1459
1437=item int pid [read-only] 1460=item int pid [read-only]
1438 1461
1439The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id. 1462The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1440 1463
1676 static void 1699 static void
1677 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1700 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1678 { 1701 {
1679 free (w); 1702 free (w);
1680 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 1703 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1681 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 1704 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1682 } 1705 }
1683 1706
1684 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1707 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1685 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1708 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1686 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1709 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
2027believe me. 2050believe me.
2028 2051
2029=back 2052=back
2030 2053
2031 2054
2055=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2056
2057In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2058asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2059loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2060
2061Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2062control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2063C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2064can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2065safe.
2066
2067This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2068too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2069(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2070C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2071
2072Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2073just the default loop.
2074
2075=head3 Queueing
2076
2077C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2078is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2079multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2080need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2081
2082That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2083queue. And here is how you would implement locking:
2084
2085=over 4
2086
2087=item queueing from a signal handler context
2088
2089To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2090handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for
2091some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler:
2092
2093 static ev_async mysig;
2094
2095 static void
2096 sigusr1_handler (void)
2097 {
2098 sometype data;
2099
2100 // no locking etc.
2101 queue_put (data);
2102 ev_async_send (DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2103 }
2104
2105 static void
2106 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2107 {
2108 sometype data;
2109 sigset_t block, prev;
2110
2111 sigemptyset (&block);
2112 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2113 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2114
2115 while (queue_get (&data))
2116 process (data);
2117
2118 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2119 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2120 }
2121
2122(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2123instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2124either...).
2125
2126=item queueing from a thread context
2127
2128The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2129threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2130emply a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2131
2132 static ev_async mysig;
2133 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2134
2135 static void
2136 otherthread (void)
2137 {
2138 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2139 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2140 queue_put (data);
2141 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2142
2143 ev_async_send (DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2144 }
2145
2146 static void
2147 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2148 {
2149 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2150
2151 while (queue_get (&data))
2152 process (data);
2153
2154 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2155 }
2156
2157=back
2158
2159
2160=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2161
2162=over 4
2163
2164=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2165
2166Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2167kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2168believe me.
2169
2170=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2171
2172Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2173an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2174C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or
2175similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2176section below on what exactly this means).
2177
2178This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration,
2179so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2180calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2181
2182=back
2183
2184
2032=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2185=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2033 2186
2034There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 2187There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2035 2188
2036=over 4 2189=over 4
2263Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 2416Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2264the constructor. 2417the constructor.
2265 2418
2266 class myclass 2419 class myclass
2267 { 2420 {
2268 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2421 ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2269 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2422 ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2270 2423
2271 myclass (); 2424 myclass (int fd)
2272 }
2273
2274 myclass::myclass (int fd)
2275 { 2425 {
2276 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 2426 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2277 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 2427 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2278 2428
2279 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2429 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2430 }
2280 } 2431 };
2281 2432
2282 2433
2283=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2434=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2284 2435
2285Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal 2436Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal
2490wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to 2641wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to
2491be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 2642be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2492C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 2643C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2493it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 2644it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2494on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 2645on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2646
2647=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
2648
2649If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2650file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2651default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2652correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2653in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
2495 2654
2496=item EV_USE_POLL 2655=item EV_USE_POLL
2497 2656
2498If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 2657If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2499backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 2658backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2533 2692
2534If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 2693If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2535interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 2694interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2536be detected at runtime. 2695be detected at runtime.
2537 2696
2697=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2698
2699Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2700access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2701type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2702that you know is safe for your purposes.
2703
2704In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2705(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2706
2538=item EV_H 2707=item EV_H
2539 2708
2540The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 2709The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2541undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h> and F<ev.c>. This can be used to 2710undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2542virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 2711used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2543 2712
2544=item EV_CONFIG_H 2713=item EV_CONFIG_H
2545 2714
2546If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 2715If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2547F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 2716F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2548C<EV_H>, above. 2717C<EV_H>, above.
2549 2718
2550=item EV_EVENT_H 2719=item EV_EVENT_H
2551 2720
2552Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 2721Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2553of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the dfeault is C<"event.h">. 2722of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2554 2723
2555=item EV_PROTOTYPES 2724=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2556 2725
2557If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 2726If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2558prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 2727prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2607defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2776defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2608 2777
2609=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 2778=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2610 2779
2611If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 2780If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2781defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2782
2783=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
2784
2785If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
2612defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 2786defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2613 2787
2614=item EV_MINIMAL 2788=item EV_MINIMAL
2615 2789
2616If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 2790If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2772watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling. 2946watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. prioritiy handling.
2773 2947
2774=back 2948=back
2775 2949
2776 2950
2951=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds
2952
2953Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
2954requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
2955model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
2956the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
2957descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
2958e.g. cygwin.
2959
2960There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
2961embedding it into other applications.
2962
2963Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the
2964abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not
2965recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than
2966a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different
2967implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot
2968be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games).
2969
2970=over 4
2971
2972=item The winsocket select function
2973
2974The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires
2975socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select
2976very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors
2977to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>,
2978C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor
2979symbols for more info.
2980
2981The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime
2982libraries and raw winsocket select is:
2983
2984 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2985 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
2986
2987Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
2988complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
2989
2990=item Limited number of file descriptors
2991
2992Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions
2993of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles
2994(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for
2995C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a
2996chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each).
2997
2998Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
2999to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3000call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3001select emulation on windows).
3002
3003Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime
3004libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3005or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3006C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3007arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime
3008libraries.
3009
3010This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3011windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3012wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3013calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3014
3015=back
3016
3017
2777=head1 AUTHOR 3018=head1 AUTHOR
2778 3019
2779Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 3020Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2780 3021

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