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2 2
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required 11 // a single header file is required
12 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
13 13
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct 14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_<type> 15 // with the name ev_TYPE
16 ev_io stdin_watcher; 16 ev_io stdin_watcher;
17 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 17 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18 18
19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature 19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin 20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21 static void 21 static void
22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23 { 23 {
24 puts ("stdin ready"); 24 puts ("stdin ready");
25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26 // with its corresponding stop function. 26 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28 28
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
31 } 31 }
32 32
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out 33 // another callback, this time for a time-out
34 static void 34 static void
35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36 { 36 {
37 puts ("timeout"); 37 puts ("timeout");
38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
40 } 40 }
41 41
42 int 42 int
43 main (void) 43 main (void)
44 { 44 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 46 ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
47 47
48 // 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 49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50 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);
51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
52 52
53 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it 53 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57 57
58 // now wait for events to arrive 58 // now wait for events to arrive
59 ev_loop (loop, 0); 59 ev_loop (loop, 0);
60 60
61 // unloop was called, so exit 61 // unloop was called, so exit
62 return 0; 62 return 0;
63 } 63 }
64 64
65=head1 DESCRIPTION 65=head1 DESCRIPTION
66 66
67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted 67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68web 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
69time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>. 69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
70 70
71Libev 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
72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73these event sources and provide your program with events. 73these event sources and provide your program with events.
74 74
103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common) 103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For 104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
105more info about various configuration options please have a look at 105more info about various configuration options please have a look at
106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support 106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of 107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have 108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument. 109this argument.
110 110
111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112 112
113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
118it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name 118it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
120throughout libev. 120throughout libev.
121
122=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123
124Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125and internal errors (bugs).
126
127When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
128a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
129set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
130abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
131()>.
132
133When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
134it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
135so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
136the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
137
138Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
139extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
140circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
141
121 142
122=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 143=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
123 144
124These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 145These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
125library in any way. 146library in any way.
134 155
135=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 156=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
136 157
137Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 158Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
138either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 159either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
139this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>. 160this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
140 161
141=item int ev_version_major () 162=item int ev_version_major ()
142 163
143=item int ev_version_minor () 164=item int ev_version_minor ()
144 165
157not a problem. 178not a problem.
158 179
159Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
160version. 181version.
161 182
162 assert (("libev version mismatch", 183 assert (("libev version mismatch",
163 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
164 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
165 186
166=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 187=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
167 188
168Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 189Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
169value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 190value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
171a description of the set values. 192a description of the set values.
172 193
173Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 194Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
174a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11 195a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
175 196
176 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
177 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
178 199
179=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
180 201
181Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 202Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
182recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
183returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 204returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
184most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
185(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 206(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
186libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
187 208
188=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
189 210
193C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
194recommended ones. 215recommended ones.
195 216
196See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
197 218
198=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
199 220
200Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
201semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to 222semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
202allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when 223used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
203memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some 224when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
204potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc 225or take some potentially destructive action.
205function. 226
227Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
228correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
229C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
206 230
207You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 231You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
208free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 232free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
209or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 233or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
210 234
211Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 235Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
212retries). 236retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
213 237
214 static void * 238 static void *
215 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 239 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
216 { 240 {
217 for (;;) 241 for (;;)
226 } 250 }
227 251
228 ... 252 ...
229 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
230 254
231=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
232 256
233Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 257Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
234as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
235indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
236callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 260callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
237matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 261matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
238requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 262requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
239(such as abort). 263(such as abort).
240 264
241Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 265Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
252 276
253=back 277=back
254 278
255=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
256 280
257An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 281An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
258types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 282is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
259events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 283I<function>).
284
285The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
286supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
287not.
260 288
261=over 4 289=over 4
262 290
263=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 291=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
264 292
270If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 298If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
271function. 299function.
272 300
273Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 301Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
274from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 302from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
275as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway). 303as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
276 304
277The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 305The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
278C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 306C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
279for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either 307for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
280create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 308create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
281can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 309can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
282C<ev_default_init>. 310C<ev_default_init>.
283 311
284The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 312The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
293The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 321The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
294thing, believe me). 322thing, believe me).
295 323
296=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 324=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
297 325
298If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 326If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
299or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 327or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
300C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 328C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
301override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 329override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
302useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 330useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
303around bugs. 331around bugs.
310 338
311This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 339This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
312and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 340and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
313iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 341iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
314GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 342GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
315without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has 343without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
316C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 344C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
317 345
318The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 346The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
319forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 347forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
320flag. 348flag.
321 349
322This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 350This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
323environment variable. 351environment variable.
324 352
325=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 353=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
326 354
327This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 355This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
329but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 357but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
330using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its 358using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
331usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds. 359usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
332 360
333To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of 361To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
334parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are 362parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
335writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many 363writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
336connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have 364connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
337a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of 365a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
338readyness notifications you get per iteration. 366readiness notifications you get per iteration.
367
368This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
369C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
370C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
339 371
340=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 372=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
341 373
342And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated 374And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
343than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial 375than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
344limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down 376limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
345considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, 377considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
346i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for 378i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
347performance tips. 379performance tips.
348 380
381This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
382C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
383
349=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 384=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
350 385
351For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 386For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
352but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 387but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
353like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 388like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
354epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number 389epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
355of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect 390
356cases and requiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad 391The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
357support for dup. 392of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
393dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
394descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
395so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
396I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
397take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
398hard to detect.
399
400Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
401of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
402I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
403even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
404on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
405employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
406events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
358 407
359While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 408While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
360will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 409will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
361(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 410incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
362best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work 411I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
363very well if you register events for both fds. 412file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
364 413file descriptors.
365Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
366need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
367(or space) is available.
368 414
369Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all 415Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
370watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e. 416watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
371keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. 417i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
418starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
419extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
420as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
421take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
372 422
373While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in 423While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
374all kernel versions tested so far. 424all kernel versions tested so far.
425
426This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
427C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
375 428
376=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 429=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
377 430
378Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 431Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
379was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably 432was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
380with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course 433with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
381it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected" 434it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
435is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
436without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
382unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 437"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
383C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) 438C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
384system like NetBSD. 439system like NetBSD.
385 440
386You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 441You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
387only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 442only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
388the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 443the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
389 444
390It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 445It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
391kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 446kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
392course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 447course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
393cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 448cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
394two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it 449two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
395drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases. 450sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
451cases
396 452
397This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 453This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
398 454
399While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 455While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
400everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 456everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
401almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets 457almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
402(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop 458(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
403(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for 459(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it,
404sockets. 460using it only for sockets.
461
462This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
463C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
464C<NOTE_EOF>.
405 465
406=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 466=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
407 467
408This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an 468This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
409implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets 469implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
413=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 473=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
414 474
415This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 475This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
416it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 476it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
417 477
418Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious 478Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
419notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 479notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
420blocking when no data (or space) is available. 480blocking when no data (or space) is available.
421 481
422While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 482While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
423file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 483file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
424descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 484descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
425might perform better. 485might perform better.
426 486
427On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readyness notifications, this 487On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
428backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully 488notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
429embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends. 489in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
490OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
491
492This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
493C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
430 494
431=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 495=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
432 496
433Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 497Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
434with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 498with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
436 500
437It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 501It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
438 502
439=back 503=back
440 504
441If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 505If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
442backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are 506backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
443specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried. 507specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
444 508
445The most typical usage is like this: 509Example: This is the most typical usage.
446 510
447 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 511 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
448 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 512 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
449 513
450Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 514Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
451environment settings to be taken into account: 515environment settings to be taken into account:
452 516
453 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 517 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
454 518
455Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 519Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
456available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 520used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
457event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 521private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
522fds):
458 523
459 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 524 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
460 525
461=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 526=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
462 527
463Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 528Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
464always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 529always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
469libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the 534libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
470default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread. 535default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
471 536
472Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 537Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
473 538
474 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 539 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
475 if (!epoller) 540 if (!epoller)
476 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 541 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
477 542
478=item ev_default_destroy () 543=item ev_default_destroy ()
479 544
480Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 545Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
481etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 546etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
482sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 547sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
483responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 548responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
484calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 549calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
485the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 550the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
486for example). 551for example).
487 552
488Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by 553Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
489this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers) 554handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
490would need to be stopped manually. 555as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
491 556
492In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 557In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
493rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 558rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
494pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 559pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
495C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>). 560C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
520 585
521=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 586=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
522 587
523Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 588Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
524C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 589C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
525after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 590after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
591entirely your own problem.
526 592
527=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 593=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
528 594
529Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise. 595Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
596otherwise.
530 597
531=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 598=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
532 599
533Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 600Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
534the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 601the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
549received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 616received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
550change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 617change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
551time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 618time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
552event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 619event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
553 620
621=item ev_now_update (loop)
622
623Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
624returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
625is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
626
627This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
628very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
629the current time is a good idea.
630
631See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section.
632
554=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 633=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
555 634
556Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 635Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
557after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 636after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
558events. 637events.
560If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 639If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
561either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 640either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
562 641
563Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 642Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
564relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 643relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
565finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that 644finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
566automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of 645that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
567relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty. 646of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
647beauty.
568 648
569A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 649A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
570those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 650those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
571case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 651process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
652the loop.
572 653
573A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 654A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
574neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 655necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
575your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 656will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
576one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 657be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
577external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 658user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
659iteration of the loop.
660
661This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
662with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
578libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 663own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
579usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 664usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
580 665
581Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 666Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
582 667
583 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 668 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
584 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 669 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
585 - If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers. 670 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
586 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 671 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
587 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 672 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
673 as to not disturb the other process.
588 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 674 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
589 - Update the "event loop time". 675 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
590 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 676 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
591 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 677 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
592 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 678 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
593 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 679 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
594 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 680 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
595 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 681 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
596 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 682 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
597 - Queue all outstanding timers. 683 - Queue all expired timers.
598 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 684 - Queue all expired periodics.
599 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 685 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
600 - Queue all check watchers. 686 - Queue all check watchers.
601 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 687 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
602 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 688 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
603 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 689 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
604 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 690 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
609anymore. 695anymore.
610 696
611 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 697 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
612 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 698 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
613 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 699 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
614 ... jobs done. yeah! 700 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
615 701
616=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 702=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
617 703
618Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 704Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
619has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 705has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
620C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 706C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
621C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 707C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
622 708
623This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 709This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
624 710
711It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
712
625=item ev_ref (loop) 713=item ev_ref (loop)
626 714
627=item ev_unref (loop) 715=item ev_unref (loop)
628 716
629Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 717Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
630loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 718loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
631count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have 719count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
720
632a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from 721If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop>
633returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 722from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before
723stopping it.
724
634example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 725As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is
635visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 726not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting
636no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 727if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
637way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 728way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
638libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop> 729libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
639(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before, 730(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
640respectively). 731respectively).
641 732
642Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 733Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
643running when nothing else is active. 734running when nothing else is active.
644 735
645 struct ev_signal exitsig; 736 ev_signal exitsig;
646 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 737 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
647 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 738 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
648 evf_unref (loop); 739 evf_unref (loop);
649 740
650Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 741Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
651 742
652 ev_ref (loop); 743 ev_ref (loop);
653 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 744 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
654 745
655=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval) 746=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
656 747
657=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval) 748=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
658 749
659These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting 750These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
660for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to 751for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
661invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency. 752will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
753latency.
662 754
663Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>) 755Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
664allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to 756allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
665increase efficiency of loop iterations. 757to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
758opportunities).
666 759
667The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to 760The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
668handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes 761one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
669the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new 762program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
670events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high 763events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
671overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 764overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
672 765
673By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 766By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
674time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 767time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
676C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 769C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
677introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. 770introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
678 771
679Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 772Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
680to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 773to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
681latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers 774latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
682will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce 775later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
683any overhead in libev. 776value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
684 777
685Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect 778Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
686interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for 779interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
687interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It 780interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
688usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 781usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
689as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems. 782as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
783
784Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
785saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
786are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
787times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
788reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
789they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
790
791=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
792
793This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
794compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
795through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
796is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
797error and call C<abort ()>.
798
799This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
800circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
801data structures consistent.
690 802
691=back 803=back
692 804
693 805
694=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 806=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
807
808In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
809watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
810watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
695 811
696A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 812A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
697interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 813interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
698become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 814become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
699 815
700 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 816 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
701 { 817 {
702 ev_io_stop (w); 818 ev_io_stop (w);
703 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 819 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
704 } 820 }
705 821
706 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 822 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
823
707 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 824 ev_io stdin_watcher;
825
708 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 826 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
709 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 827 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
710 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 828 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
829
711 ev_loop (loop, 0); 830 ev_loop (loop, 0);
712 831
713As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 832As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
714watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 833watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
715although this can sometimes be quite valid). 834stack).
835
836Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
837or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
716 838
717Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 839Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
718(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 840(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
719callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 841callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
720watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 842watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
721is readable and/or writable). 843is readable and/or writable).
722 844
723Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 845Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
724with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 846macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
725to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 847is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
726(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 848ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
727 849
728To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 850To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
729with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 851with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
730*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 852*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
731corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 853corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
732 854
733As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 855As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
734must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 856must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
735reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 857reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
736 858
737Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 859Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
738registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 860registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
739third argument. 861third argument.
740 862
800 922
801The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 923The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
802 924
803=item C<EV_ERROR> 925=item C<EV_ERROR>
804 926
805An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 927An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
806happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 928happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
807ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 929ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
930problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
931
808problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 932You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
809with the watcher being stopped. 933watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
934an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
935bug in your program.
810 936
811Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 937Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
812for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 938example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
813your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 939callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
814with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 940the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
815programs, though, so beware. 941programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
942thing, so beware.
816 943
817=back 944=back
818 945
819=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 946=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
820
821In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
822e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
823 947
824=over 4 948=over 4
825 949
826=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 950=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
827 951
833which rolls both calls into one. 957which rolls both calls into one.
834 958
835You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 959You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
836(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 960(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
837 961
838The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 962The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
839int revents)>. 963int revents)>.
964
965Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
966
967 ev_io w;
968 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
969 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
840 970
841=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 971=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
842 972
843This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 973This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
844call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 974call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
847difference to the C<ev_init> macro). 977difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
848 978
849Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 979Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
850(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 980(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
851 981
982See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
983
852=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 984=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
853 985
854This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 986This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
855calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 987calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
856a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 988a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
989
990Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
991
992 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
857 993
858=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 994=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
859 995
860Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 996Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
861events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 997events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
862 998
999Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1000whole section.
1001
1002 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1003
863=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1004=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
864 1005
865Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 1006Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1007the watcher was active or not).
1008
866status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 1009It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
867non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 1010non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
868C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 1011calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
869you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 1012pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
870good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 1013therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
871 1014
872=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1015=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
873 1016
874Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1017Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
875and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1018and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
917The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1060The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
918always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1061always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
919 1062
920Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1063Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
921fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1064fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
922or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range. 1065or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
923 1066
924=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1067=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
925 1068
926Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1069Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
927C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1070C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
928can deal with that fact. 1071can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
1072callback.
929 1073
930=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1074=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
931 1075
932If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status 1076If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
933and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the 1077returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
934watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1078watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
935 1079
1080Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1081callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1082
936=back 1083=back
937 1084
938 1085
939=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1086=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
940 1087
941Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1088Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
942and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1089and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
943to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1090to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
944don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1091don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
945member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1092member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
946data: 1093data:
947 1094
948 struct my_io 1095 struct my_io
949 { 1096 {
950 struct ev_io io; 1097 ev_io io;
951 int otherfd; 1098 int otherfd;
952 void *somedata; 1099 void *somedata;
953 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1100 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
954 } 1101 };
1102
1103 ...
1104 struct my_io w;
1105 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
955 1106
956And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1107And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
957can cast it back to your own type: 1108can cast it back to your own type:
958 1109
959 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1110 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
960 { 1111 {
961 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1112 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
962 ... 1113 ...
963 } 1114 }
964 1115
965More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1116More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
966instead have been omitted. 1117instead have been omitted.
967 1118
968Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1119Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
969watchers: 1120embedded watchers:
970 1121
971 struct my_biggy 1122 struct my_biggy
972 { 1123 {
973 int some_data; 1124 int some_data;
974 ev_timer t1; 1125 ev_timer t1;
975 ev_timer t2; 1126 ev_timer t2;
976 } 1127 }
977 1128
978In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1129In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
979you need to use C<offsetof>: 1130complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1131in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1132some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1133programmers):
980 1134
981 #include <stddef.h> 1135 #include <stddef.h>
982 1136
983 static void 1137 static void
984 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1138 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
985 { 1139 {
986 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1140 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
987 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1141 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
988 } 1142 }
989 1143
990 static void 1144 static void
991 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1145 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
992 { 1146 {
993 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1147 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
994 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1148 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
995 } 1149 }
996 1150
997 1151
998=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1152=head1 WATCHER TYPES
999 1153
1000This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1154This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
1024In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1178In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1025fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1179fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1026descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1180descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1027required if you know what you are doing). 1181required if you know what you are doing).
1028 1182
1029If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 1183If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1030(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 1184known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1031C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 1185C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1032 1186
1033Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1187Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1034receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1188receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1035be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1189be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1036because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1190because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1037lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1191lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
1038this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1192this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
1039it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1193it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1040C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1194C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1041 1195
1042If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1196If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1043play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1197not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1044whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1198re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1045such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1199interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
1046its own, so its quite safe to use). 1200does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1201use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1202indefinitely.
1203
1204But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1047 1205
1048=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors 1206=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1049 1207
1050Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file 1208Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1051descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means, 1209descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1052such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file 1210such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1053descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop 1211descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1054this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is 1212this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1055registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in 1213registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1056fact, a different file descriptor. 1214fact, a different file descriptor.
1057 1215
1088enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1246enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1089C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1247C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1090 1248
1091=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1249=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1092 1250
1093While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE: 1251While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1094when reading from a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program 1252when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1095gets send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most 1253sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1096programs this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually 1254this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1097undesirable.
1098 1255
1099So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you 1256So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1100ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon 1257ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1101somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue). 1258somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1102 1259
1108=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1265=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1109 1266
1110=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1267=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1111 1268
1112Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1269Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1113rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1270receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
1114C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1271C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
1115 1272
1116=item int fd [read-only] 1273=item int fd [read-only]
1117 1274
1118The file descriptor being watched. 1275The file descriptor being watched.
1119 1276
1127 1284
1128Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1285Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1129readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1286readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1130attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1287attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1131 1288
1132 static void 1289 static void
1133 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1290 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1134 { 1291 {
1135 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1292 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1136 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1293 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1137 } 1294 }
1138 1295
1139 ... 1296 ...
1140 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1297 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1141 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1298 ev_io stdin_readable;
1142 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1299 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1143 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1300 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1144 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1301 ev_loop (loop, 0);
1145 1302
1146 1303
1147=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1304=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1148 1305
1149Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1306Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1150given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1307given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1151 1308
1152The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1309The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1153times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1310times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1154time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1311year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1155detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1312detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1156monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1313monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1314
1315The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1316passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration
1317then order of execution is undefined.
1318
1319=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1320
1321Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1322recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1323you want to raise some error after a while.
1324
1325What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1326inefficient to smart and efficient.
1327
1328In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1329gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1330data or other life sign was received).
1331
1332=over 4
1333
1334=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1335
1336This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1337start the watcher:
1338
1339 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1340 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1341
1342Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1343and start it again:
1344
1345 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1346 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1347 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1348
1349This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1350some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1351data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1352still not a constant-time operation.
1353
1354=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1355
1356This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1357C<ev_timer_start>.
1358
1359To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1360of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1361successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1362you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1363the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1364
1365That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1366C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1367member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1368
1369At start:
1370
1371 ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
1372 timer->repeat = 60.;
1373 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1374
1375Each time there is some activity:
1376
1377 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1378
1379It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1380whether the watcher is active or not:
1381
1382 timer->repeat = 30.;
1383 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1384
1385This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1386you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1387remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1388
1389It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1390
1391=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1392
1393This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1394relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1395our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1396associated activity resets.
1397
1398In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1399but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1400within the callback:
1401
1402 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1403
1404 static void
1405 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1406 {
1407 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
1408 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1409
1410 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1411 if (timeout < now)
1412 {
1413 // timeout occured, take action
1414 }
1415 else
1416 {
1417 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1418 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1419 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1420 w->again = timeout - now;
1421 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1422 }
1423 }
1424
1425To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1426as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
1427been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
1428the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
1429re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1430a timeout then.
1431
1432Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
1433C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
1434
1435This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1436minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1437libev to change the timeout.
1438
1439To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1440to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1441callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1442
1443 ev_timer_init (timer, callback);
1444 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1445 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1446
1447And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1448C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1449
1450 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop);
1451
1452This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1453time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1454
1455Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1456callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1457fix things for you.
1458
1459=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1460
1461If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1462employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1463do even better:
1464
1465When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
1466at the I<end> of the list.
1467
1468Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
1469the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
1470
1471When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
1472the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
1473update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
1474
1475This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
1476starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
1477complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
1478ensures that the list stays sorted.
1479
1480=back
1481
1482So which method the best?
1483
1484Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
1485situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
1486better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
1487one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
1488
1489Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1490rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1491off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1492overkill :)
1493
1494=head3 The special problem of time updates
1495
1496Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1497least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1498time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
1499growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1500lots of events in one iteration.
1157 1501
1158The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1502The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1159time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1503time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1160of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1504of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1161you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1505you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1162on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1506timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1163 1507
1164 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1508 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1165 1509
1166The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1510If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1167but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1511update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1168order of execution is undefined. 1512()>.
1169 1513
1170=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1514=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1171 1515
1172=over 4 1516=over 4
1173 1517
1174=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1518=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1175 1519
1176=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1520=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1177 1521
1178Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1522Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1179C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1523is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1180timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1524reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1181later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1525configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1526until stopped manually.
1182 1527
1183The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1528The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1184configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1529you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1185exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1530trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1186the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1531keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1187timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1532do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1188 1533
1189=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 1534=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1190 1535
1191This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1536This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1192repeating. The exact semantics are: 1537repeating. The exact semantics are:
1193 1538
1194If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 1539If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1195 1540
1196If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 1541If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1197 1542
1198If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 1543If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1199C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 1544C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1200 1545
1201This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1546This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a
1202example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 1547usage example.
1203timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1204seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1205configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1206C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1207you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1208socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1209automatically restart it if need be.
1210
1211That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1212altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1213
1214 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1215 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1216 ...
1217 timer->again = 17.;
1218 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1219 ...
1220 timer->again = 10.;
1221 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1222
1223This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1224you want to modify its timeout value.
1225 1548
1226=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1549=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1227 1550
1228The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1551The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1229or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1552or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1230which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1553which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1231 1554
1232=back 1555=back
1233 1556
1234=head3 Examples 1557=head3 Examples
1235 1558
1236Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1559Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1237 1560
1238 static void 1561 static void
1239 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1562 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1240 { 1563 {
1241 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1564 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1242 } 1565 }
1243 1566
1244 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1567 ev_timer mytimer;
1245 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1568 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1246 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1569 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1247 1570
1248Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1571Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1249inactivity. 1572inactivity.
1250 1573
1251 static void 1574 static void
1252 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1575 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1253 { 1576 {
1254 .. ten seconds without any activity 1577 .. ten seconds without any activity
1255 } 1578 }
1256 1579
1257 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1580 ev_timer mytimer;
1258 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1581 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1259 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1582 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1260 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1583 ev_loop (loop, 0);
1261 1584
1262 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1585 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1263 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1586 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1264 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1587 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1265 1588
1266 1589
1267=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1590=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1268 1591
1269Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1592Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1270(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1593(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1271 1594
1272Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1595Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1273but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1596but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1274to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1597to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1275periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1598periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1276+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1599+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
1600clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1277take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1601to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1278roughly 10 seconds later). 1602roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1279 1603
1280They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1604C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1281triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated, 1605such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1282rules. 1606complicated rules.
1283 1607
1284As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1608As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1285time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1609time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1286during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1610during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined.
1287 1611
1288=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1612=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1289 1613
1290=over 4 1614=over 4
1291 1615
1292=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1616=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1293 1617
1294=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1618=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
1295 1619
1296Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1620Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1297operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1621operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1298 1622
1299=over 4 1623=over 4
1300 1624
1301=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1625=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1302 1626
1303In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1627In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1304C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1628time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time
1305that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1629jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1306system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1630only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time.
1307 1631
1308=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1632=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1309 1633
1310In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1634In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1311C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 1635C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1312and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 1636and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1313 1637
1314This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1638This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1315time: 1639system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1640hour, on the hour:
1316 1641
1317 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1642 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1318 1643
1319This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1644This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1320but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1645but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1321full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 1646full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1322by 3600. 1647by 3600.
1323 1648
1324Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1649Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1325C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1650C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1326time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1651time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1327 1652
1328For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near 1653For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1329C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 1654C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1330this value. 1655this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1656
1657Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1658speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1659will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1660millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1331 1661
1332=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback) 1662=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1333 1663
1334In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1664In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1335ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1665ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1336reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1666reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1337current time as second argument. 1667current time as second argument.
1338 1668
1339NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1669NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1340ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1670ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1341return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1342starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1343 1671
1672If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1673it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1674only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1675
1344Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1676The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1345ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1677*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1346 1678
1679 static ev_tstamp
1347 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1680 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1348 { 1681 {
1349 return now + 60.; 1682 return now + 60.;
1350 } 1683 }
1351 1684
1352It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1685It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1353(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1686(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1354will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1687will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1355might be called at other times, too. 1688might be called at other times, too.
1356 1689
1357NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1690NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1358passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1691equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1359 1692
1360This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1693This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1361triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1694triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1362next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1695next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1363you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1696you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1364reason I omitted it as an example). 1697reason I omitted it as an example).
1365 1698
1366=back 1699=back
1370Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1703Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1371when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1704when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1372a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1705a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1373program when the crontabs have changed). 1706program when the crontabs have changed).
1374 1707
1708=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1709
1710When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1711trigger next.
1712
1375=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write] 1713=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1376 1714
1377When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the 1715When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1378absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>). 1716absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1379 1717
1384 1722
1385The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1723The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1386take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 1724take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1387called. 1725called.
1388 1726
1389=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 1727=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1390 1728
1391The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 1729The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1392switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1730switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1393the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1731the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1394 1732
1395=item ev_tstamp at [read-only]
1396
1397When active, contains the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1398trigger next.
1399
1400=back 1733=back
1401 1734
1402=head3 Examples 1735=head3 Examples
1403 1736
1404Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1737Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1405system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1738system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1406potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1739potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1407 1740
1408 static void 1741 static void
1409 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1742 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1410 { 1743 {
1411 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 1744 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1412 } 1745 }
1413 1746
1414 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1747 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1415 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1748 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1416 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1749 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1417 1750
1418Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1751Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1419 1752
1420 #include <math.h> 1753 #include <math.h>
1421 1754
1422 static ev_tstamp 1755 static ev_tstamp
1423 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1756 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1424 { 1757 {
1425 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1758 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1426 } 1759 }
1427 1760
1428 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1761 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1429 1762
1430Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 1763Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1431 1764
1432 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1765 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1433 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1766 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1434 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1767 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1435 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1768 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1436 1769
1437 1770
1438=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 1771=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1439 1772
1440Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1773Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1441signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1774signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1442will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 1775will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1443normal event processing, like any other event. 1776normal event processing, like any other event.
1444 1777
1778If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would
1779do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use
1780C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop.
1781
1445You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 1782You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the
1446first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 1783first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler
1447with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1784with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1448as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1785you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when
1449watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1786the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1450SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1787signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1451 1788
1452If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 1789If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1453C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly 1790C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1454interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by 1791interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1455signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock 1792signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1456them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 1793them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1457 1794
1458=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1795=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1459 1796
1472 1809
1473=back 1810=back
1474 1811
1475=head3 Examples 1812=head3 Examples
1476 1813
1477Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1814Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1478 1815
1479 static void 1816 static void
1480 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1817 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1481 { 1818 {
1482 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1819 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1483 } 1820 }
1484 1821
1485 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1822 ev_signal signal_watcher;
1486 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1823 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1487 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1824 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1488 1825
1489 1826
1490=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1827=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1491 1828
1492Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1829Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1493some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It 1830some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1494is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been 1831exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1495forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event 1832has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1496loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher). 1833as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1834forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1835but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is
1836not.
1497 1837
1498Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore 1838Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1499you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop. 1839you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1500 1840
1501=head3 Process Interaction 1841=head3 Process Interaction
1502 1842
1503Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is 1843Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1504initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if 1844initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1505the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance 1845the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1506of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done 1846of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1507synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all 1847synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1508children, even ones not watched. 1848children, even ones not watched.
1509 1849
1510=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing 1850=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1514handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for 1854handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1515C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the 1855C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1516default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an 1856default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1517event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for 1857event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1518that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely. 1858that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1859
1860=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1861
1862Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1863child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1864callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1865when a child exit is detected.
1519 1866
1520=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1867=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1521 1868
1522=over 4 1869=over 4
1523 1870
1552=head3 Examples 1899=head3 Examples
1553 1900
1554Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for 1901Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1555its completion. 1902its completion.
1556 1903
1557 ev_child cw; 1904 ev_child cw;
1558 1905
1559 static void 1906 static void
1560 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents) 1907 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1561 { 1908 {
1562 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w); 1909 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1563 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus); 1910 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1564 } 1911 }
1565 1912
1566 pid_t pid = fork (); 1913 pid_t pid = fork ();
1567 1914
1568 if (pid < 0) 1915 if (pid < 0)
1569 // error 1916 // error
1570 else if (pid == 0) 1917 else if (pid == 0)
1571 { 1918 {
1572 // the forked child executes here 1919 // the forked child executes here
1573 exit (1); 1920 exit (1);
1574 } 1921 }
1575 else 1922 else
1576 { 1923 {
1577 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0); 1924 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1578 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw); 1925 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1579 } 1926 }
1580 1927
1581 1928
1582=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1929=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1583 1930
1584This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1931This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1585C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 1932C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1586compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1933and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
1934it did.
1587 1935
1588The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 1936The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1589not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1937not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1590not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 1938exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1591otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 1939C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1592the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1940least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
1941contents.
1593 1942
1594The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 1943The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
1944C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1595relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 1945your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1596 1946
1597Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 1947Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1598calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 1948portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1599can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 1949to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1600a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 1950interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1601unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 1951recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1602five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 1952(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1603impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 1953change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1604usually overkill. 1954currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1605 1955
1606This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 1956This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1607as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1957as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1608resource-intensive. 1958resource-intensive.
1609 1959
1610At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 1960At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1611implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 1961is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1612reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 1962exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1613semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1963implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1614to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1615usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1616polling.
1617 1964
1618=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support) 1965=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1619 1966
1620Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default 1967Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1621compilation environment, which means that on systems with optionally 1968compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1622disabled large file support, you get the 32 bit version of the stat 1969support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1623structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to 1970structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1624use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to 1971use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1625compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is 1972compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1626obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is 1973obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1627most noticably with ev_stat and largefile support. 1974most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1628 1975
1629=head3 Inotify 1976The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1977file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1978optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1979to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1980default compilation environment.
1630 1981
1982=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1983
1631When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only 1984When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1632available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up 1985runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1633change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily 1986inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1634when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started. 1987watcher is being started.
1635 1988
1636Inotify presense does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers 1989Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1637except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid 1990except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1638making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presense of inotify support 1991making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1639there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling. 1992there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1993but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
1994many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
1995a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
1996xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1640 1997
1641(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to 1998There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1642implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file 1999implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1643descriptor open on the object at all times). 2000descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
2001etc. is difficult.
1644 2002
1645=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution 2003=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1646 2004
1647The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and 2005The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1648even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still 2006and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1649only support whole seconds. 2007still only support whole seconds.
1650 2008
1651That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you might 2009That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1652miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and calls 2010easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1653your callback, which does something. When there is another update within 2011calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1654the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it. 2012within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
2013stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1655 2014
1656The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for a second (or till 2015The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1657the next second boundary), using a roughly one-second delay C<ev_timer> 2016than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1658(C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.01); ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). The C<.01> 2017a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1659is added to work around small timing inconsistencies of some operating 2018ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1660systems. 2019
2020The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
2021of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
2022might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
2023C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
2024a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
2025update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
2026the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
2027the timer callback).
1661 2028
1662=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2029=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1663 2030
1664=over 4 2031=over 4
1665 2032
1671C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 2038C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1672be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 2039be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1673a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 2040a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1674path for as long as the watcher is active. 2041path for as long as the watcher is active.
1675 2042
1676The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 2043The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1677relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 2044relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1678last change was detected). 2045last change was detected).
1679 2046
1680=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *) 2047=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1681 2048
1682Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 2049Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1683watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 2050watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1684detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 2051detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1685useful simply to find out the new values. 2052the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
2053new values.
1686 2054
1687=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 2055=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1688 2056
1689The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 2057The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1690C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types 2058C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1691suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there 2059suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
2060members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1692was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 2061some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1693 2062
1694=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 2063=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1695 2064
1696The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 2065The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1697C<prev> != C<attr>. 2066C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
2067differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
2068C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1698 2069
1699=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 2070=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1700 2071
1701The specified interval. 2072The specified interval.
1702 2073
1703=item const char *path [read-only] 2074=item const char *path [read-only]
1704 2075
1705The filesystem path that is being watched. 2076The file system path that is being watched.
1706 2077
1707=back 2078=back
1708 2079
1709=head3 Examples 2080=head3 Examples
1710 2081
1711Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 2082Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1712 2083
1713 static void 2084 static void
1714 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 2085 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1715 { 2086 {
1716 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 2087 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1717 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 2088 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1718 { 2089 {
1719 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 2090 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1720 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2091 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1721 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2092 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1722 } 2093 }
1723 else 2094 else
1724 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 2095 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1725 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 2096 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1726 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 2097 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1727 } 2098 }
1728 2099
1729 ... 2100 ...
1730 ev_stat passwd; 2101 ev_stat passwd;
1731 2102
1732 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.); 2103 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1733 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2104 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1734 2105
1735Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not 2106Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1736miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so 2107miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1737one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on 2108one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1738C<ev_timer> callback invocation). 2109C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1739 2110
1740 static ev_stat passwd; 2111 static ev_stat passwd;
1741 static ev_timer timer; 2112 static ev_timer timer;
1742 2113
1743 static void 2114 static void
1744 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2115 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1745 { 2116 {
1746 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w); 2117 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1747 2118
1748 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */ 2119 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1749 } 2120 }
1750 2121
1751 static void 2122 static void
1752 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents) 2123 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1753 { 2124 {
1754 /* reset the one-second timer */ 2125 /* reset the one-second timer */
1755 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer); 2126 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1756 } 2127 }
1757 2128
1758 ... 2129 ...
1759 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.); 2130 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1760 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2131 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1761 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.01); 2132 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1762 2133
1763 2134
1764=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 2135=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1765 2136
1766Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher 2137Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1767priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not 2138priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1768count). 2139as receiving "events").
1769 2140
1770That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts 2141That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1771(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be 2142(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1772triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers 2143triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1773are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop 2144are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1797=head3 Examples 2168=head3 Examples
1798 2169
1799Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 2170Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1800callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2171callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1801 2172
1802 static void 2173 static void
1803 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 2174 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1804 { 2175 {
1805 free (w); 2176 free (w);
1806 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2177 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1807 // no longer anything immediate to do. 2178 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1808 } 2179 }
1809 2180
1810 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 2181 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1811 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2182 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1812 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2183 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1813 2184
1814 2185
1815=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2186=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1816 2187
1817Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 2188Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1818prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2189prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1819afterwards. 2190afterwards.
1820 2191
1821You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2192You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1822the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2193the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1825those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2196those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1826C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2197C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1827called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 2198called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1828 2199
1829Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 2200Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1830their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 2201their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1831variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 2202variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1832coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 2203coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1833you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example, 2204you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1834in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare> 2205in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1835watcher). 2206watcher).
1836 2207
1837This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 2208This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1838to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 2209need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1839them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 2210for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1840provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 2211libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1841any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 2212you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1842and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 2213of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1843callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 2214I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1844because you never know, you know?). 2215nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1845 2216
1846As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 2217As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1847coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 2218coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1848during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 2219during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1849are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines 2220are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1852loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2223loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1853low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2224low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1854 2225
1855It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 2226It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1856priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 2227priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
2228after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
2229
1857after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, 2230Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1858too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully 2231activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1859supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers 2232might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1860did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other 2233C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1861(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable 2234loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1862state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to 2235C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1863coexist peacefully with others). 2236others).
1864 2237
1865=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2238=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1866 2239
1867=over 4 2240=over 4
1868 2241
1870 2243
1871=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 2244=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1872 2245
1873Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 2246Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1874parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 2247parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1875macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 2248macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
2249pointless.
1876 2250
1877=back 2251=back
1878 2252
1879=head3 Examples 2253=head3 Examples
1880 2254
1881There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules 2255There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1882into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev 2256into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1883(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could 2257(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1884use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> 2258use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1885embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV 2259Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1886into the Glib event loop). 2260Glib event loop).
1887 2261
1888Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, 2262Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1889and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows 2263and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1890is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low 2264is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1891priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as 2265priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1892the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet. 2266the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1893 2267
1894 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 2268 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1895 static ev_timer tw; 2269 static ev_timer tw;
1896 2270
1897 static void 2271 static void
1898 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2272 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1899 { 2273 {
1900 } 2274 }
1901 2275
1902 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2276 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1903 static void 2277 static void
1904 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2278 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1905 { 2279 {
1906 int timeout = 3600000; 2280 int timeout = 3600000;
1907 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2281 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1908 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2282 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1909 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2283 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1910 2284
1911 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2285 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1912 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2286 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1913 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2287 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1914 2288
1915 // create one ev_io per pollfd 2289 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1916 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2290 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1917 { 2291 {
1918 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2292 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1919 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2293 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1920 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2294 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1921 2295
1922 fds [i].revents = 0; 2296 fds [i].revents = 0;
1923 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2297 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1924 } 2298 }
1925 } 2299 }
1926 2300
1927 // stop all watchers after blocking 2301 // stop all watchers after blocking
1928 static void 2302 static void
1929 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2303 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1930 { 2304 {
1931 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2305 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1932 2306
1933 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2307 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1934 { 2308 {
1935 // set the relevant poll flags 2309 // set the relevant poll flags
1936 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here 2310 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1937 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i; 2311 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1938 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i); 2312 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1939 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN; 2313 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1940 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT; 2314 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1941 2315
1942 // now stop the watcher 2316 // now stop the watcher
1943 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2317 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1944 } 2318 }
1945 2319
1946 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2320 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1947 } 2321 }
1948 2322
1949Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll> 2323Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1950in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher. 2324in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1951 2325
1952Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event 2326Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1953notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher 2327notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1954callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher. 2328callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1955 2329
1956 static void 2330 static void
1957 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2331 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1958 { 2332 {
1959 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data; 2333 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1960 update_now (EV_A); 2334 update_now (EV_A);
1961 2335
1962 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now); 2336 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1963 } 2337 }
1964 2338
1965 static void 2339 static void
1966 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents) 2340 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1967 { 2341 {
1968 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data; 2342 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1969 update_now (EV_A); 2343 update_now (EV_A);
1970 2344
1971 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now); 2345 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1972 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now); 2346 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1973 } 2347 }
1974 2348
1975 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll 2349 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1976 2350
1977Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you 2351Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1978want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override 2352want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
1979their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main 2353override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
1980loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does 2354main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
1981this. 2355this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
2356libglib event loop.
1982 2357
1983 static gint 2358 static gint
1984 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout) 2359 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1985 { 2360 {
1986 int got_events = 0; 2361 int got_events = 0;
1987 2362
1988 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n) 2363 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1989 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events 2364 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1990 2365
1991 if (timeout >= 0) 2366 if (timeout >= 0)
1992 // create/start timer 2367 // create/start timer
1993 2368
1994 // poll 2369 // poll
1995 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2370 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1996 2371
1997 // stop timer again 2372 // stop timer again
1998 if (timeout >= 0) 2373 if (timeout >= 0)
1999 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 2374 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2000 2375
2001 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set 2376 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2002 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n) 2377 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2003 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]); 2378 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2004 2379
2005 return got_events; 2380 return got_events;
2006 } 2381 }
2007 2382
2008 2383
2009=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2384=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
2010 2385
2011This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2386This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
2017prioritise I/O. 2392prioritise I/O.
2018 2393
2019As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 2394As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
2020sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you 2395sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
2021still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales 2396still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
2022so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it 2397so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
2023into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will 2398it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2024be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but 2399will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2025at least you can use both at what they are best. 2400C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
2401best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2026 2402
2027As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 2403As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2028to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 2404some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2029priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 2405and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2030you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 2406this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2031a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2407the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2032 2408
2033As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2409As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
2034there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2410there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
2035call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2411call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
2036their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2412their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
2044interested in that. 2420interested in that.
2045 2421
2046Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2422Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking:
2047when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2423when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops,
2048but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2424but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers
2049yourself. 2425yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically,
2426and future versions of libev might do just that.
2050 2427
2051Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by 2428Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2052C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2429C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2053portable one. 2430portable one.
2054 2431
2055So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2432So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2056that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 2433that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2057this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 2434this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2058create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything. 2435create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2059 2436
2437=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
2438
2439While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
2440automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
2441fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
2442however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
2443as applicable.
2444
2060=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2445=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2061 2446
2062=over 4 2447=over 4
2063 2448
2064=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2449=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2067 2452
2068Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2453Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2069embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2454embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2070invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2455invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2071to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2456to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2072if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2457if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2073 2458
2074=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2459=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2075 2460
2076Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2461Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2077similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2462similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
2078apropriate way for embedded loops. 2463appropriate way for embedded loops.
2079 2464
2080=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 2465=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2081 2466
2082The embedded event loop. 2467The embedded event loop.
2083 2468
2085 2470
2086=head3 Examples 2471=head3 Examples
2087 2472
2088Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default 2473Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2089event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default 2474event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2090loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in 2475loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2091C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be 2476C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2092used). 2477used).
2093 2478
2094 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2479 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2095 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 2480 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2096 struct ev_embed embed; 2481 ev_embed embed;
2097 2482
2098 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works 2483 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2099 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection) 2484 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2100 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends () 2485 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2101 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()) 2486 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2102 : 0; 2487 : 0;
2103 2488
2104 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi 2489 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2105 if (loop_lo) 2490 if (loop_lo)
2106 { 2491 {
2107 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo); 2492 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2108 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 2493 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2109 } 2494 }
2110 else 2495 else
2111 loop_lo = loop_hi; 2496 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2112 2497
2113Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create 2498Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2114a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any 2499a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2115kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in 2500kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2116C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too). 2501C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2117 2502
2118 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 2503 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2119 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0; 2504 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2120 struct ev_embed embed; 2505 ev_embed embed;
2121 2506
2122 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE) 2507 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2123 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)) 2508 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2124 { 2509 {
2125 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket); 2510 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2126 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed); 2511 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2127 } 2512 }
2128 2513
2129 if (!loop_socket) 2514 if (!loop_socket)
2130 loop_socket = loop; 2515 loop_socket = loop;
2131 2516
2132 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else 2517 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2133 2518
2134 2519
2135=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2520=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2136 2521
2137Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2522Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
2181is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 2566is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2182multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 2567multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2183need elaborate support such as pthreads. 2568need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2184 2569
2185That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 2570That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2186queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your 2571queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2187queue: 2572queue:
2188 2573
2189=over 4 2574=over 4
2190 2575
2191=item queueing from a signal handler context 2576=item queueing from a signal handler context
2192 2577
2193To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal 2578To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2194handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for 2579handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2195some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler: 2580an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2196 2581
2197 static ev_async mysig; 2582 static ev_async mysig;
2198 2583
2199 static void 2584 static void
2200 sigusr1_handler (void) 2585 sigusr1_handler (void)
2266=over 4 2651=over 4
2267 2652
2268=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback) 2653=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2269 2654
2270Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any 2655Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2271kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2656kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2272believe me. 2657trust me.
2273 2658
2274=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 2659=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2275 2660
2276Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 2661Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2277an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 2662an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2278C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or 2663C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2279similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 2664similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2280section below on what exactly this means). 2665section below on what exactly this means).
2281 2666
2282This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration, 2667This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2283so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated 2668so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2284calls to C<ev_async_send>. 2669calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2285 2670
2286=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 2671=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2287 2672
2288Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 2673Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2290event loop. 2675event loop.
2291 2676
2292C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When 2677C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2293the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active, 2678the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2294it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very 2679it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2295quickly check wether invoking the loop might be a good idea. 2680quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2296 2681
2297Not that this does I<not> check wether the watcher itself is pending, only 2682Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
2298wether it has been requested to make this watcher pending. 2683whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
2299 2684
2300=back 2685=back
2301 2686
2302 2687
2303=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2688=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2307=over 4 2692=over 4
2308 2693
2309=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 2694=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
2310 2695
2311This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 2696This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2312callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 2697callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2313watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 2698watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2314or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 2699or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2315more watchers yourself. 2700more watchers yourself.
2316 2701
2317If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 2702If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2318is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 2703C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2319C<events> set will be craeted and started. 2704the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2320 2705
2321If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 2706If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2322started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 2707started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2323repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 2708repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2324dubious value.
2325 2709
2326The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 2710The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
2327passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 2711passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2328C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 2712C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
2329value passed to C<ev_once>: 2713value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2714a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2715events precedence.
2330 2716
2717Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2718
2331 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 2719 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2332 { 2720 {
2333 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2334 /* doh, nothing entered */;
2335 else if (revents & EV_READ) 2721 if (revents & EV_READ)
2336 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 2722 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2723 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
2724 /* doh, nothing entered */;
2337 } 2725 }
2338 2726
2339 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 2727 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2340 2728
2341=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 2729=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2342 2730
2343Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 2731Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2344had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 2732had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2345initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 2733initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2346 2734
2347=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 2735=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
2348 2736
2349Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 2737Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2350the given events it. 2738the given events it.
2351 2739
2352=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 2740=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum)
2353 2741
2354Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 2742Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2355loop!). 2743loop!).
2356 2744
2357=back 2745=back
2358 2746
2359 2747
2375 2763
2376=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 2764=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2377will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 2765will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2378is an ev_pri field. 2766is an ev_pri field.
2379 2767
2768=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2769first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
2770
2380=item * Other members are not supported. 2771=item * Other members are not supported.
2381 2772
2382=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 2773=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2383to use the libev header file and library. 2774to use the libev header file and library.
2384 2775
2385=back 2776=back
2386 2777
2387=head1 C++ SUPPORT 2778=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2388 2779
2389Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 2780Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2390you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 2781you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2391the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 2782the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2392 2783
2393To use it, 2784To use it,
2394 2785
2395 #include <ev++.h> 2786 #include <ev++.h>
2396 2787
2397This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 2788This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2398of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 2789of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2399put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 2790put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2400options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 2791options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
2467your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the 2858your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2468thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback. 2859thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2469 2860
2470Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation 2861Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2471 2862
2472 struct myclass 2863 struct myclass
2473 { 2864 {
2474 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 2865 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2475 } 2866 }
2476 2867
2477 myclass obj; 2868 myclass obj;
2478 ev::io iow; 2869 ev::io iow;
2479 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2870 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2480 2871
2481=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 2872=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2482 2873
2483Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 2874Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2484callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 2875callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2486 2877
2487The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>. 2878The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2488 2879
2489See the method-C<set> above for more details. 2880See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2490 2881
2491Example: 2882Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2492 2883
2493 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 2884 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2494 iow.set <io_cb> (); 2885 iow.set <io_cb> ();
2495 2886
2496=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2887=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
2497 2888
2498Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2889Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2499do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2890do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2500 2891
2501=item w->set ([args]) 2892=item w->set ([arguments])
2502 2893
2503Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 2894Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
2504called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2895called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
2505automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 2896automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2506method. 2897method.
2507 2898
2508=item w->start () 2899=item w->start ()
2532=back 2923=back
2533 2924
2534Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 2925Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
2535the constructor. 2926the constructor.
2536 2927
2537 class myclass 2928 class myclass
2538 { 2929 {
2539 ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2930 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2540 ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2931 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2541 2932
2542 myclass (int fd) 2933 myclass (int fd)
2543 { 2934 {
2544 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 2935 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2545 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 2936 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2546 2937
2547 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2938 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2548 } 2939 }
2549 }; 2940 };
2550 2941
2551 2942
2552=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS 2943=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2553 2944
2554Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a 2945Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2555numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know 2946number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2556any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop 2947any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2557me a note. 2948me a note.
2558 2949
2559=over 4 2950=over 4
2560 2951
2561=item Perl 2952=item Perl
2562 2953
2563The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test 2954The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2564libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module, 2955libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2565there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces 2956there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2566to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the 2957to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2567C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>). 2958C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
2959and C<EV::Glib>).
2568 2960
2569It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at 2961It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2570L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>. 2962L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2571 2963
2964=item Python
2965
2966Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2967seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
2968patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2969for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2970libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2971libev).
2972
2572=item Ruby 2973=item Ruby
2573 2974
2574Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset 2975Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2575of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 2976of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2576more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at 2977more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2577L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 2978L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2578 2979
2579=item D 2980=item D
2580 2981
2581Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 2982Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2582be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>. 2983be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2984
2985=item Ocaml
2986
2987Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
2988L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2583 2989
2584=back 2990=back
2585 2991
2586 2992
2587=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2993=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2588 2994
2589Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal 2995Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2590of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) 2996of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2591functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2997functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2592 2998
2593To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2999To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2594following macros are defined: 3000following macros are defined:
2599 3005
2600This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 3006This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2601loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 3007loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2602C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 3008C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2603 3009
2604 ev_unref (EV_A); 3010 ev_unref (EV_A);
2605 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 3011 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2606 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3012 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2607 3013
2608It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 3014It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2609which is often provided by the following macro. 3015which is often provided by the following macro.
2610 3016
2611=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 3017=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2612 3018
2613This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 3019This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2614loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 3020loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2615C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 3021C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2616 3022
2617 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 3023 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
2618 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 3024 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2619 3025
2620 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 3026 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
2621 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3027 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2622 3028
2623It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 3029It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2624suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 3030suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2625 3031
2626=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 3032=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2642 3048
2643Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above 3049Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2644macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported 3050macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2645or not. 3051or not.
2646 3052
2647 static void 3053 static void
2648 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3054 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2649 { 3055 {
2650 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 3056 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2651 } 3057 }
2652 3058
2653 ev_check check; 3059 ev_check check;
2654 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 3060 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2655 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 3061 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2656 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 3062 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2657 3063
2658=head1 EMBEDDING 3064=head1 EMBEDDING
2659 3065
2660Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 3066Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2661applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 3067applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
2668libev somewhere in your source tree). 3074libev somewhere in your source tree).
2669 3075
2670=head2 FILESETS 3076=head2 FILESETS
2671 3077
2672Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 3078Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2673in your app. 3079in your application.
2674 3080
2675=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 3081=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2676 3082
2677To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 3083To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2678configuration (no autoconf): 3084configuration (no autoconf):
2679 3085
2680 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3086 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2681 #include "ev.c" 3087 #include "ev.c"
2682 3088
2683This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 3089This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2684single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 3090single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2685it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 3091it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2686done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 3092done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2687where you can put other configuration options): 3093where you can put other configuration options):
2688 3094
2689 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3095 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2690 #include "ev.h" 3096 #include "ev.h"
2691 3097
2692Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3098Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2693compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3099compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2694as a bug). 3100as a bug).
2695 3101
2696You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3102You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2697in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3103in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2698 3104
2699 ev.h 3105 ev.h
2700 ev.c 3106 ev.c
2701 ev_vars.h 3107 ev_vars.h
2702 ev_wrap.h 3108 ev_wrap.h
2703 3109
2704 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 3110 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2705 3111
2706 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 3112 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2707 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3113 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2708 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3114 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2709 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3115 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2710 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3116 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2711 3117
2712F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 3118F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2713to compile this single file. 3119to compile this single file.
2714 3120
2715=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 3121=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2716 3122
2717To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 3123To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2718 3124
2719 #include "event.c" 3125 #include "event.c"
2720 3126
2721in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 3127in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2722 3128
2723 #include "event.h" 3129 #include "event.h"
2724 3130
2725in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 3131in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2726 3132
2727You need the following additional files for this: 3133You need the following additional files for this:
2728 3134
2729 event.h 3135 event.h
2730 event.c 3136 event.c
2731 3137
2732=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 3138=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2733 3139
2734Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 3140Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2735whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 3141whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2736F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 3142F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2737include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 3143include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2738 3144
2739For this of course you need the m4 file: 3145For this of course you need the m4 file:
2740 3146
2741 libev.m4 3147 libev.m4
2742 3148
2743=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 3149=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2744 3150
2745Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to 3151Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2746define before including any of its files. The default in the absense of 3152define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
2747autoconf is noted for every option. 3153autoconf is documented for every option.
2748 3154
2749=over 4 3155=over 4
2750 3156
2751=item EV_STANDALONE 3157=item EV_STANDALONE
2752 3158
2757F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3163F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2758 3164
2759=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3165=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2760 3166
2761If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3167If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2762monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 3168monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
2763of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3169of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2764usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3170usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2765the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 3171the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2766to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3172to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2767function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3173function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2768 3174
2769=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3175=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2770 3176
2771If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3177If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2772realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 3178real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
2773runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 3179runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
2774be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3180be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2775(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 3181(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
2776note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3182note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2777 3183
2778=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 3184=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
27892.7 or newer, otherwise disabled. 31952.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2790 3196
2791=item EV_USE_SELECT 3197=item EV_USE_SELECT
2792 3198
2793If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 3199If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2794C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 3200C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2795other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 3201other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2796will not be compiled in. 3202will not be compiled in.
2797 3203
2798=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3204=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2799 3205
2800If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3206If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2801structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3207structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2802C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 3208C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
2803exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3209exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2804low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3210low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2805allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3211allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2806influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3212influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2807 3213
2856otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 3262otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2857backend for Solaris 10 systems. 3263backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2858 3264
2859=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 3265=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2860 3266
2861reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 3267Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2862 3268
2863=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 3269=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2864 3270
2865If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 3271If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2866interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 3272interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2873access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 3279access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2874type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 3280type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2875that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 3281that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2876as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 3282as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2877 3283
2878In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 3284In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2879(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 3285(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2880 3286
2881=item EV_H 3287=item EV_H
2882 3288
2883The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3289The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2922When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search 3328When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2923all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space 3329all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2924and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually 3330and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2925fine. 3331fine.
2926 3332
2927If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to 3333If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2928C<0> will save some memory and cpu. 3334both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2929 3335
2930=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3336=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2931 3337
2932If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 3338If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2933defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 3339defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2940code. 3346code.
2941 3347
2942=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 3348=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2943 3349
2944If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If 3350If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2945defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3351defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3352watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
2946 3353
2947=item EV_STAT_ENABLE 3354=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2948 3355
2949If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If 3356If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2950defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3357defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2960defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3367defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2961 3368
2962=item EV_MINIMAL 3369=item EV_MINIMAL
2963 3370
2964If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 3371If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2965speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 3372speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2966some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 3373inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
3374much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2967 3375
2968=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3376=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2969 3377
2970C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3378C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2971pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 3379pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2978inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 3386inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2979usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 3387usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2980watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 3388watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2981two). 3389two).
2982 3390
3391=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3392
3393Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3394timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3395to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3396faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3397
3398The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3399(disabled).
3400
3401=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3402
3403Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3404timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3405the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3406which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3407but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3408noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3409
3410The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3411(disabled).
3412
3413=item EV_VERIFY
3414
3415Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
3416be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3417in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3418called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3419called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3420verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3421libev considerably.
3422
3423The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
3424C<0>.
3425
2983=item EV_COMMON 3426=item EV_COMMON
2984 3427
2985By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3428By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2986this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 3429this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2987members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 3430members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2988though, and it must be identical each time. 3431though, and it must be identical each time.
2989 3432
2990For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3433For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2991 3434
2992 #define EV_COMMON \ 3435 #define EV_COMMON \
2993 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3436 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2994 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3437 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2995 3438
2996=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3439=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2997 3440
2998=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3441=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2999 3442
3004definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for 3447definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
3005their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3448their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
3006avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 3449avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
3007method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 3450method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3008 3451
3452=back
3453
3009=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS 3454=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3010 3455
3011If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of 3456If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3012exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list 3457exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3013all public symbols, one per line: 3458all public symbols, one per line:
3014 3459
3015 Symbols.ev for libev proper 3460 Symbols.ev for libev proper
3016 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation 3461 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3017 3462
3018This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with 3463This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3019multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in 3464multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3020itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this). 3465itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3021 3466
3022A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to 3467A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3023include before including F<ev.h>: 3468include before including F<ev.h>:
3024 3469
3025 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h 3470 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
3042file. 3487file.
3043 3488
3044The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 3489The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3045that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 3490that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3046 3491
3047 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 3492 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
3048 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3493 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
3049 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3494 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3050 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 3495 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3051 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 3496 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3052 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 3497 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
3053 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3498 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3054 #define EV_MINPRI 0 3499 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3055 #define EV_MAXPRI 0 3500 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
3056 3501
3057 #include "ev++.h" 3502 #include "ev++.h"
3058 3503
3059And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 3504And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3060 3505
3061 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3506 #include "ev_cpp.h"
3062 #include "ev.c" 3507 #include "ev.c"
3063 3508
3509=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
3064 3510
3065=head1 THREADS AND COROUTINES 3511=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3066 3512
3067=head2 THREADS 3513=head3 THREADS
3068 3514
3069Libev itself is completely threadsafe, but it uses no locking. This 3515All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
3516documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3070means that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as 3517that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3071only one thread ever calls into one libev function with the same loop 3518are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3072parameter. 3519parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
3520of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
3521structures that need any locking.
3073 3522
3074Or put differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done in 3523Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
3075parallel from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter must be 3524concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
3076done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as only one 3525must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
3077thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using a mutex 3526only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
3078per loop). 3527a mutex per loop).
3079 3528
3080If you want to know which design is best for your problem, then I cannot 3529Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
3530so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
3531concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
3532outside".
3533
3534If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3535without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3081help you but by giving some generic advice: 3536help you, but here is some generic advice:
3082 3537
3083=over 4 3538=over 4
3084 3539
3085=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop 3540=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3086in that thread, or create a seperate thread running only the default loop. 3541in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3087 3542
3088This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev 3543This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3089themselves and don't care/know about threading. 3544themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3090 3545
3091=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model. 3546=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3092 3547
3093Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model 3548Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3094exists, but it is always a good start. 3549exists, but it is always a good start.
3095 3550
3096=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one 3551=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3097loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robbin fashion. 3552loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3098 3553
3099Chosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you cna do 3554Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3100better than you currently do :-) 3555better than you currently do :-)
3101 3556
3102=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the 3557=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
3558event loop.
3559
3103event loop - C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other 3560C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
3104threads safely (or from signal contexts...). 3561(or from signal contexts...).
3562
3563An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
3564work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
3565default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3566watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3105 3567
3106=back 3568=back
3107 3569
3108=head2 COROUTINES 3570=head3 COROUTINES
3109 3571
3110Libev is much more accomodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 3572Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3111libev fully supports nesting calls to it's functions from different 3573libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3112coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 3574coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
3113different coroutines and switch freely between both coroutines running the 3575different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the
3114loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that 3576loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
3115you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 3577you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3116 3578
3117Care has been invested into making sure that libev does not keep local 3579Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3118state inside C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow coroutine 3580C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3119switches. 3581they do not call any callbacks.
3120 3582
3583=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3121 3584
3122=head1 COMPLEXITIES 3585Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3586lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3587scared by this.
3123 3588
3124In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 3589However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3125libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 3590has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3126documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 3591warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
3592targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3127 3593
3128All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be 3594Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3129extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this 3595workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3130happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might 3596maintainable.
3131mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
3132it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3133 3597
3134=over 4 3598And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3599wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3600seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3601warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
3602been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3603such buggy versions.
3135 3604
3136=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 3605While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3606"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3607with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
3608them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
3609warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3137 3610
3138This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3139there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
3140have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3141 3611
3142=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 3612=head2 VALGRIND
3143 3613
3144That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 3614Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3145as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for. 3615highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3146 3616
3147=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1) 3617If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
3618in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3148 3619
3149These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 3620 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3621 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3622 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3150 3623
3151=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1) 3624Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3625is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3152 3626
3153=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3627Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3628as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3629although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3630confused.
3154 3631
3155These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 3632Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
3156correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 3633make it into some kind of religion.
3157have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
3158 3634
3159=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1) 3635If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
3636with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
3637is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
3638annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
3639of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
3160 3640
3161By virtue of using a binary heap, the next timer is always found at the 3641If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3162beginning of the storage array. 3642I suggest using suppression lists.
3163 3643
3164=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3165 3644
3166A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires 3645=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3167libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3168on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3169 3646
3170=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1) 3647=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3171
3172=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3173
3174Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3175priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3176linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3177watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3178
3179=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3180
3181=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3182
3183=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3184
3185Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3186calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3187involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3188
3189=back
3190
3191
3192=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds
3193 3648
3194Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev 3649Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3195requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 3650requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3196model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 3651model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3197the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 3652the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3198descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 3653descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3199e.g. cygwin. 3654e.g. cygwin.
3200 3655
3656Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3657re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
3658things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
3659way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3660
3201There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 3661There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3202embedding it into other applications. 3662embedding it into other applications.
3203 3663
3664Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3665accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3666either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3667so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3668megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
3669available).
3670
3204Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and the 3671Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3205abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets is not 3672the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3206recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use more than 3673is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3207a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally different 3674more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3208implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX model, which cannot 3675different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3209be implemented efficiently on windows (microsoft monopoly games). 3676notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3677(Microsoft monopoly games).
3678
3679A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3680section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3681of F<ev.h>:
3682
3683 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
3684 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
3685
3686 #include "ev.h"
3687
3688And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
3689you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3690
3691 #include "evwrap.h"
3692 #include "ev.c"
3210 3693
3211=over 4 3694=over 4
3212 3695
3213=item The winsocket select function 3696=item The winsocket select function
3214 3697
3215The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires 3698The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3216socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select 3699requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3217very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors 3700also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3218to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, 3701requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3219C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor 3702C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3220symbols for more info. 3703discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
3704C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3221 3705
3222The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime 3706The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3223libraries and raw winsocket select is: 3707libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3224 3708
3225 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1 3709 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3226 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */ 3710 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3227 3711
3228Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a 3712Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3229complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32. 3713complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3230 3714
3231=item Limited number of file descriptors 3715=item Limited number of file descriptors
3232 3716
3233Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. Early versions 3717Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3234of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a max. of C<64> handles 3718
3719Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3235(probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels can only wait for 3720of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3236C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft recommends spawning a 3721can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3237chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the previous thread in each). 3722recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3723previous thread in each. Great).
3238 3724
3239Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE> 3725Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3240to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select 3726to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3241call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own 3727call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3242select emulation on windows). 3728select emulation on windows).
3243 3729
3244Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime 3730Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3245libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish 3731libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3246or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling 3732or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3247C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another 3733C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3248arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime 3734arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3249libraries. 3735libraries.
3250 3736
3251This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on 3737This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3252windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to 3738windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3253wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of 3739wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3254calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 3740calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3255 3741
3256=back 3742=back
3257 3743
3744=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3745
3746In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3747backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3748
3749=over 4
3750
3751=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
3752calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
3753
3754Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3755structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3756assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3757callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3758calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
3759
3760=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3761
3762The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3763C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
3764threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3765believed to be sufficiently portable.
3766
3767=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3768
3769Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
3770allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
3771pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
3772thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3773be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3774C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3775
3776The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3777except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
3778well.
3779
3780=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3781
3782To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
3783instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
3784systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
3785least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
3786watchers.
3787
3788=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3789
3790The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3791have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
3792enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
3793implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
3794
3795=back
3796
3797If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3798
3799
3800=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
3801
3802In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
3803libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
3804the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3805
3806All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
3807extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
3808happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
3809mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
3810average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3811
3812=over 4
3813
3814=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
3815
3816This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3817there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
3818have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3819
3820=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
3821
3822That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
3823as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
3824
3825=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
3826
3827These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
3828
3829=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
3830
3831=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
3832
3833These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
3834correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
3835have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
3836is rare).
3837
3838=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3839
3840By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
3841fixed position in the storage array.
3842
3843=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3844
3845A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3846libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3847on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3848
3849=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3850
3851=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3852
3853Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3854priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3855linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3856watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
3857
3858=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3859
3860=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3861
3862=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3863
3864Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3865calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3866involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3867
3868=back
3869
3258 3870
3259=head1 AUTHOR 3871=head1 AUTHOR
3260 3872
3261Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 3873Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
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