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Revision 1.13 by root, Mon Nov 12 08:35:36 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.14 by root, Mon Nov 12 08:45:49 2007 UTC

299 299
300As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 300As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
301must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 301must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
302reinitialise it or call its set method. 302reinitialise it or call its set method.
303 303
304You cna check whether an event is active by calling the C<ev_is_active 304You can check whether an event is active by calling the C<ev_is_active
305(watcher *)> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the 305(watcher *)> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the
306callback for it has not been called yet) you cna use the C<ev_is_pending 306callback for it has not been called yet) you can use the C<ev_is_pending
307(watcher *)> macro. 307(watcher *)> macro.
308 308
309Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 309Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
310registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 310registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
311third argument. 311third argument.
312 312
313The rceeived events usually include a single bit per event type received 313The received events usually include a single bit per event type received
314(you can receive multiple events at the same time). The possible bit masks 314(you can receive multiple events at the same time). The possible bit masks
315are: 315are:
316 316
317=over 4 317=over 4
318 318
372=back 372=back
373 373
374=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 374=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
375 375
376Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 376Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
377and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This cna be used 377and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
378to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 378to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
379don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 379don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
380member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 380member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
381data: 381data:
382 382
409=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable 409=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable
410 410
411I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 411I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
412in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 412in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
413level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 413level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
414condition persists. Remember you cna stop the watcher if you don't want to 414condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
415act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 415act on the event and neither want to receive future events).
416 416
417In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 417In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer
418fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 418fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
419descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 419descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
495state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop 495state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop
496the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be. 496the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be.
497 497
498=back 498=back
499 499
500=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron it 500=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron
501 501
502Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 502Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
503(and unfortunately a bit complex). 503(and unfortunately a bit complex).
504 504
505Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 505Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
601Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 601Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
602signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 602signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
603will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 603will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
604normal event processing, like any other event. 604normal event processing, like any other event.
605 605
606You cna configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 606You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
607first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 607first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher
608with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 608with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
609as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 609as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
610watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 610watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
611SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 611SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
633=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 633=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid)
634 634
635Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 635Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
636I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 636I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
637at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 637at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
638the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h>). The C<rpid> member 638the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
639contains the pid of the process causing the status change. 639C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
640process causing the status change.
640 641
641=back 642=back
642 643
643=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do 644=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do
644 645
645Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other I/O or timer (or 646Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending
646periodic) events pending. That is, as long as your process is busy 647(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long
647handling sockets or timeouts it will not be called. But when your process 648as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals,
648is idle all idle watchers are being called again and again - until 649imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle
650watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration -
649stopped, that is, or your process receives more events. 651until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes
652busy.
650 653
651The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are 654The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
652active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 655active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
653 656
654Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 657Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
666 669
667=back 670=back
668 671
669=head2 prepare and check - your hooks into the event loop 672=head2 prepare and check - your hooks into the event loop
670 673
671Prepare and check watchers usually (but not always) are used in 674Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
672tandom. Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check 675Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
673watchers afterwards. 676afterwards.
674 677
675Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 678Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This
676could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 679could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own
677watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more. 680watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.
678 681
679This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 682This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
680to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for them 683to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
681and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries provide 684them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
682just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for any 685provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
683events that occured (by making your callbacks set soem flags for example) 686any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
684and call back into the library. 687and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
688callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles,
689because you never know, you know?).
685 690
686As another example, the perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 691As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
687coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 692coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
688during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 693during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
689are ready to run. 694are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines
695with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once,
696using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority
697coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background
698tasks).
690 699
691=over 4 700=over 4
692 701
693=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 702=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
694 703
695=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 704=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
696 705
697Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 706Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
698parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 707parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
699macros, but using them is utterly, utterly pointless. 708macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
700 709
701=back 710=back
702 711
703=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 712=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
704 713
705There are some other fucntions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 714There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
706 715
707=over 4 716=over 4
708 717
709=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 718=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
710 719
712callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 721callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
713watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 722watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
714or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 723or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
715more watchers yourself. 724more watchers yourself.
716 725
717If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events is 726If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
718ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and C<events> set 727is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
719will be craeted and started. 728C<events> set will be craeted and started.
720 729
721If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 730If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
722started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and repeat 731started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
723= 0) will be started. 732repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
733dubious value.
724 734
725The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and 735The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
726gets passed an events set (normally a combination of C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, 736passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of
727C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> value passed to C<ev_once>: 737C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
738value passed to C<ev_once>:
728 739
729 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 740 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
730 { 741 {
731 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 742 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
732 /* doh, nothing entered */ 743 /* doh, nothing entered */;
733 else if (revents & EV_READ) 744 else if (revents & EV_READ)
734 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */ 745 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
735 } 746 }
736 747
737 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READm 10., stdin_ready, 0); 748 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
738 749
739=item ev_feed_event (loop, watcher, int events) 750=item ev_feed_event (loop, watcher, int events)
740 751
741Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 752Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
742has happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 753had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
743initialised but not necessarily active event watcher). 754initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
744 755
745=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents) 756=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
746 757
747Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected it. 758Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
759the given events it.
748 760
749=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum) 761=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
750 762
751Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 763Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).
752 764

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