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Revision 1.156 by root, Tue May 20 20:00:34 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.157 by root, Tue May 20 23:49:41 2008 UTC

1151 1151
1152Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1152Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1153given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1153given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1154 1154
1155The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1155The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1156times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1156times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to january last
1157time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1157year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
1158detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1158detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1159monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1159monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1160 1160
1161The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1161The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1162time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1162time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1164you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1164you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout
1165on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1165on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
1166 1166
1167 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1167 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1168 1168
1169The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1169The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only after its timeout has passed,
1170but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1170but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
1171order of execution is undefined. 1171order of execution is undefined.
1172 1172
1173=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1173=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1174 1174
1176 1176
1177=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1177=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1178 1178
1179=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1179=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1180 1180
1181Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1181Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
1182C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1182is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
1183timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1183reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
1184later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1184configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1185until stopped manually.
1185 1186
1186The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1187The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1187configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1188you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1188exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1189trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1189the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1190keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1190timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1191do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1191 1192
1192=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 1193=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1193 1194
1194This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1195This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
1195repeating. The exact semantics are: 1196repeating. The exact semantics are:
1272Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1273Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1273(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1274(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1274 1275
1275Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1276Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
1276but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1277but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
1277to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1278to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
1278periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1279periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()
1279+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1280+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
1281clock to january of the previous year, then it will take more than year
1280take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1282to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1281roughly 10 seconds later). 1283roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1282 1284
1283They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1285C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1284triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated, 1286such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1285rules. 1287complicated, rules.
1286 1288
1287As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1289As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
1288time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1290time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1289during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1291during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
1290 1292
1291=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1293=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1292 1294
1293=over 4 1295=over 4
1301 1303
1302=over 4 1304=over 4
1303 1305
1304=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1306=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1305 1307
1306In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1308In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wallclock
1307C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1309time C<at> has passed and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time
1308that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1310jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1309system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1311run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1310 1312
1311=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1313=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1312 1314
1313In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1315In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1314C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 1316C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1315and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 1317and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1316 1318
1317This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1319This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
1318time: 1320time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on
1321the hour:
1319 1322
1320 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1323 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1321 1324
1322This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1325This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1323but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1326but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1328C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1331C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1329time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1332time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1330 1333
1331For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near 1334For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1332C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 1335C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1333this value. 1336this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1334 1337
1335=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback) 1338=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1336 1339
1337In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1340In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1338ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1341ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1339reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1342reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1340current time as second argument. 1343current time as second argument.
1341 1344
1342NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1345NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1343ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1346ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1344return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1345starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
1346 1347
1348If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1349it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1350only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1351
1347Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1352The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic
1348ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1353*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1349 1354
1350 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1355 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1351 { 1356 {
1352 return now + 60.; 1357 return now + 60.;
1353 } 1358 }
1355It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1360It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1356(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1361(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1357will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1362will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1358might be called at other times, too. 1363might be called at other times, too.
1359 1364
1360NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1365NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1361passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1366equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1362 1367
1363This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1368This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1364triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1369triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1365next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1370next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1366you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1371you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1367reason I omitted it as an example). 1372reason I omitted it as an example).
1368 1373
1369=back 1374=back

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