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1=encoding utf-8
2
1=head1 NAME 3=head1 NAME
2 4
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 5libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 6
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 7=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 8
7 #include <ev.h> 9 #include <ev.h>
8 10
9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 11=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 12
11 // a single header file is required 13 // a single header file is required
12 #include <ev.h> 14 #include <ev.h>
13 15
16 #include <stdio.h> // for puts
17
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct 18 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_<type> 19 // with the name ev_TYPE
16 ev_io stdin_watcher; 20 ev_io stdin_watcher;
17 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 21 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18 22
19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature 23 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin 24 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21 static void 25 static void
22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 26 stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23 { 27 {
24 puts ("stdin ready"); 28 puts ("stdin ready");
25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 29 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26 // with its corresponding stop function. 30 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 31 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28 32
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 33 // this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 34 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
31 } 35 }
32 36
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out 37 // another callback, this time for a time-out
34 static void 38 static void
35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 39 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36 { 40 {
37 puts ("timeout"); 41 puts ("timeout");
38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 42 // this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 43 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
40 } 44 }
41 45
42 int 46 int
43 main (void) 47 main (void)
44 { 48 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 49 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 50 struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
47 51
48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 52 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 53 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 54 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 55 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
52 56
53 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it 57 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 58 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 59 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 60 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57 61
58 // now wait for events to arrive 62 // now wait for events to arrive
59 ev_loop (loop, 0); 63 ev_run (loop, 0);
60 64
61 // unloop was called, so exit 65 // break was called, so exit
62 return 0; 66 return 0;
63 } 67 }
64 68
65=head1 DESCRIPTION 69=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
70
71This document documents the libev software package.
66 72
67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted 73The 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 74web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>. 75time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
76
77While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
78libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
79on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
80with libev.
81
82Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
83throughout this document.
84
85=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
86
87This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
88it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
89reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
90look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
91C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
92
93=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
70 94
71Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 95Libev 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 96file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73these event sources and provide your program with events. 97these event sources and provide your program with events.
74 98
81details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 105details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
82watcher. 106watcher.
83 107
84=head2 FEATURES 108=head2 FEATURES
85 109
86Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 110Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific aio and C<epoll>
87BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 111interfaces, the BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port
88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 112mechanisms for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify>
89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 113interface (for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
90with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals 114inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
91(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event 115timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
92watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, 116(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
93C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as 117change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
94file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events 118loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
95(C<ev_fork>). 119C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
120limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
96 121
97It also is quite fast (see this 122It also is quite fast (see this
98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 123L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
99for example). 124for example).
100 125
108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have 133name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument. 134this argument.
110 135
111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 136=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112 137
113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 138Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 139the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 140somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 141ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 142too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
118it, you should treat it as some floatingpoint value. Unlike the name 143any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
144
119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 145Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
120throughout libev. 146time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
147
148=head1 ERROR HANDLING
149
150Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
151and internal errors (bugs).
152
153When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
154a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
155set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
156abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
157()>.
158
159When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
160it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
161so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
162the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
163
164Via the C<EV_FREQUENT> macro you can compile in and/or enable extensive
165consistency checking code inside libev that can be used to check for
166internal inconsistencies, suually caused by application bugs.
167
168Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions. These do not
169trigger under normal circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev
170or worse.
171
121 172
122=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 173=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
123 174
124These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 175These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
125library in any way. 176library in any way.
128 179
129=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 180=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
130 181
131Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 182Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
132C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 183C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
133you actually want to know. 184you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
185C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
134 186
135=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 187=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
136 188
137Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 189Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
138either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 190until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
191passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
192interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
193
139this is a subsecond-resolution C<sleep ()>. 194Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
195
196The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
197with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
140 198
141=item int ev_version_major () 199=item int ev_version_major ()
142 200
143=item int ev_version_minor () 201=item int ev_version_minor ()
144 202
155as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 213as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
156compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 214compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
157not a problem. 215not a problem.
158 216
159Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 217Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
160version. 218version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
219such as LFS or reentrancy).
161 220
162 assert (("libev version mismatch", 221 assert (("libev version mismatch",
163 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 222 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
164 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 223 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
165 224
166=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 225=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
167 226
168Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 227Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
169value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 228value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
171a description of the set values. 230a description of the set values.
172 231
173Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 232Example: 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 233a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
175 234
176 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 235 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
177 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 236 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
178 237
179=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 238=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
180 239
181Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 240Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
182recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 241also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
242descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
183returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 243C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
184most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 244and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
185(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 245you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
186libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 246probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
187 247
188=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 248=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
189 249
190Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This 250Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
191is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends 251value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
192might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at 252current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
193C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 253the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
194recommended ones. 254& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
195 255
196See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 256See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
197 257
198=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 258=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
199 259
200Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 260Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
201semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is 261semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
202used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero 262used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
203when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort 263when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
209 269
210You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 270You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
211free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 271free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
212or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 272or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
213 273
274Example: The following is the C<realloc> function that libev itself uses
275which should work with C<realloc> and C<free> functions of all kinds and
276is probably a good basis for your own implementation.
277
278 static void *
279 ev_realloc_emul (void *ptr, long size) EV_NOEXCEPT
280 {
281 if (size)
282 return realloc (ptr, size);
283
284 free (ptr);
285 return 0;
286 }
287
214Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 288Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
215retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>). 289retries.
216 290
217 static void * 291 static void *
218 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 292 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
219 { 293 {
294 if (!size)
295 {
296 free (ptr);
297 return 0;
298 }
299
220 for (;;) 300 for (;;)
221 { 301 {
222 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 302 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
223 303
224 if (newptr) 304 if (newptr)
229 } 309 }
230 310
231 ... 311 ...
232 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 312 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
233 313
234=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 314=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
235 315
236Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 316Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
237as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 317as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
238indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 318indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
239callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 319callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
240matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 320matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
241requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 321requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
242(such as abort). 322(such as abort).
243 323
244Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 324Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
251 } 331 }
252 332
253 ... 333 ...
254 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 334 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
255 335
336=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
337
338This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
339safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
340handlers or random threads.
341
342Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
343in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
344by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
345creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
346mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
347C<ev_feed_signal>.
348
256=back 349=back
257 350
258=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 351=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
259 352
260An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 353An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
261types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 354I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
262events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 355libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
356
357The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
358supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
359do not.
263 360
264=over 4 361=over 4
265 362
266=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 363=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
267 364
268This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 365This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
269yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 366normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
270false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 367the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
271flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 368C<ev_loop_new>.
369
370If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
371returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
372C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
373flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
374one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
272 375
273If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 376If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
274function. 377function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
275 378
276Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 379Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
277from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 380from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
278as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway). 381that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
382threads anyway).
279 383
280The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 384The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
281C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 385and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
282for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your app you can either 386a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
283create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 387C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
284can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 388C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
285C<ev_default_init>. 389
390Example: This is the most typical usage.
391
392 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
393 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
394
395Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
396environment settings to be taken into account:
397
398 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
399
400=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
401
402This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
403could not be initialised, returns false.
404
405This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
406threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
407loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
286 408
287The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 409The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
288backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 410backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
289 411
290The following flags are supported: 412The following flags are supported:
296The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 418The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
297thing, believe me). 419thing, believe me).
298 420
299=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 421=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
300 422
301If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 423If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
302or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 424or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
303C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 425C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
304override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 426override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
305useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 427useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, to work
306around bugs. 428around bugs, or to make libev threadsafe (accessing environment variables
429cannot be done in a threadsafe way, but usually it works if no other
430thread modifies them).
307 431
308=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 432=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
309 433
310Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after 434Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
311a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by 435make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
312enabling this flag.
313 436
314This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 437This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
315and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 438and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
316iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 439iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
317GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 440GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn
318without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has 441sequence without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux
319C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 442system also has C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). (Update: glibc
443versions 2.25 apparently removed the C<getpid> optimisation again).
320 444
321The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 445The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
322forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 446forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking, although you still
323flag. 447have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>) when you use this flag.
324 448
325This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 449This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
326environment variable. 450environment variable.
451
452=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
453
454When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
455I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
456testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
457otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
458
459=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
460
461When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
462I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
463delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
464it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
465handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
466threads that are not interested in handling them.
467
468Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
469there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
470example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
471
472=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
473
474When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
475mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
476when you want to receive them.
477
478This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
479want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
480unblocking the signals.
481
482It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
483C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
484
485=item C<EVFLAG_NOTIMERFD>
486
487When this flag is specified, the libev will avoid using a C<timerfd> to
488detect time jumps. It will still be able to detect time jumps, but takes
489longer and has a lower accuracy in doing so, but saves a file descriptor
490per loop.
491
492The current implementation only tries to use a C<timerfd> when the first
493C<ev_periodic> watcher is started and falls back on other methods if it
494cannot be created, but this behaviour might change in the future.
327 495
328=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 496=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
329 497
330This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 498This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
331libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 499libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
332but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 500but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
333using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its 501using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
334usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds. 502usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
335 503
336To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of 504To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
337parallelity (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are 505parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
338writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many 506writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
339connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have 507connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
340a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of 508a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
341readiness notifications you get per iteration. 509readiness notifications you get per iteration.
510
511This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
512C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
513C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
342 514
343=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 515=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
344 516
345And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated 517And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
346than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial 518than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
347limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down 519limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
348considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, 520considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
349i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for 521i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
350performance tips. 522performance tips.
351 523
524This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
525C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
526
352=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 527=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
353 528
529Use the Linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
530kernels).
531
354For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 532For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
355but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 533it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
356like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 534O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
357epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number 535fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
358of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect 536
359cases and requiring a syscall per fd change, no fork support and bad 537The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
360support for dup. 538of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
539dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
540descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
541returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
542(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
5430.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
544forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
545set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
546and is of course hard to detect.
547
548Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
549but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
550totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
551one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
552(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
553notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
554that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
555when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
556no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
557because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
558not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
559perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
560
561Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
562cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
563others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
361 564
362While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 565While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
363will result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 566will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
364(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 567incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
365best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work 568I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
366very well if you register events for both fds. 569file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
367 570file descriptors.
368Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
369need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
370(or space) is available.
371 571
372Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all 572Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
373watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e. 573watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
374keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. 574i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
575starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
576extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
577as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
578take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
375 579
580All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
581faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
582the usage. So sad.
583
376While nominally embeddeble in other event loops, this feature is broken in 584While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
377all kernel versions tested so far. 585a lot of kernel revisions, but probably(!) works in current versions.
586
587This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
588C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
589
590=item C<EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO> (value 64, Linux)
591
592Use the Linux-specific Linux AIO (I<not> C<< aio(7) >> but C<<
593io_submit(2) >>) event interface available in post-4.18 kernels (but libev
594only tries to use it in 4.19+).
595
596This is another Linux train wreck of an event interface.
597
598If this backend works for you (as of this writing, it was very
599experimental), it is the best event interface available on Linux and might
600be well worth enabling it - if it isn't available in your kernel this will
601be detected and this backend will be skipped.
602
603This backend can batch oneshot requests and supports a user-space ring
604buffer to receive events. It also doesn't suffer from most of the design
605problems of epoll (such as not being able to remove event sources from
606the epoll set), and generally sounds too good to be true. Because, this
607being the Linux kernel, of course it suffers from a whole new set of
608limitations, forcing you to fall back to epoll, inheriting all its design
609issues.
610
611For one, it is not easily embeddable (but probably could be done using
612an event fd at some extra overhead). It also is subject to a system wide
613limit that can be configured in F</proc/sys/fs/aio-max-nr>. If no AIO
614requests are left, this backend will be skipped during initialisation, and
615will switch to epoll when the loop is active.
616
617Most problematic in practice, however, is that not all file descriptors
618work with it. For example, in Linux 5.1, TCP sockets, pipes, event fds,
619files, F</dev/null> and many others are supported, but ttys do not work
620properly (a known bug that the kernel developers don't care about, see
621L<https://lore.kernel.org/patchwork/patch/1047453/>), so this is not
622(yet?) a generic event polling interface.
623
624Overall, it seems the Linux developers just don't want it to have a
625generic event handling mechanism other than C<select> or C<poll>.
626
627To work around all these problem, the current version of libev uses its
628epoll backend as a fallback for file descriptor types that do not work. Or
629falls back completely to epoll if the kernel acts up.
630
631This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
632C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
378 633
379=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 634=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
380 635
381Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 636Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time this backend was
382was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably 637implemented, it was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't
383with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course 638work reliably with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin,
384it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "autodetected" 639where of course it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose
385unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 640brokenness is by design, these kqueue bugs can be (and mostly have been)
386C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) 641fixed without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not
387system like NetBSD. 642being "auto-detected" on all platforms unless you explicitly specify it
643in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a
644known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
388 645
389You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 646You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
390only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 647only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
391the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 648the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
392 649
393It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 650It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
394kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 651kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
395course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 652course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
396cause an extra syscall as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 653cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
397two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it 654two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
655might have to leak fds on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
398drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases. 656drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
399 657
400This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 658This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
401 659
402While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 660While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
403everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 661everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
404almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets 662almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
405(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop 663(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
406(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for 664(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
407sockets. 665also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
666
667This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
668C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
669C<NOTE_EOF>.
408 670
409=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 671=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
410 672
411This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an 673This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
412implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets 674implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
416=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 678=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
417 679
418This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 680This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
419it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 681it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
420 682
421Please note that solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
422notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
423blocking when no data (or space) is available.
424
425While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 683While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
426file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 684file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
427descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 685descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
428might perform better. 686might perform better.
429 687
430On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readiness notifications, this 688On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
431backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully 689specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
432embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends. 690among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
691hacks).
692
693On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
694even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
695function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
696occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
697even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
698absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
699to re-arm the watcher.
700
701Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
702
703This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
704C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
433 705
434=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 706=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
435 707
436Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 708Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
437with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 709with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
438C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 710C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
439 711
440It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 712It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
713C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
714at all.
715
716=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
717
718Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
719C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
720value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
441 721
442=back 722=back
443 723
444If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 724If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
445backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are 725then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
446specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried. 726here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
447 727()> will be tried.
448The most typical usage is like this:
449
450 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
451 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
452
453Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
454environment settings to be taken into account:
455
456 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
457
458Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
459available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
460event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
461
462 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
463
464=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
465
466Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
467always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
468handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
469undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
470
471Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
472libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
473default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
474 728
475Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 729Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
476 730
477 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 731 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
478 if (!epoller) 732 if (!epoller)
479 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 733 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
480 734
735Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
736used if available.
737
738 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
739
740Example: Similarly, on linux, you mgiht want to take advantage of the
741linux aio backend if possible, but fall back to something else if that
742isn't available.
743
744 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO);
745
481=item ev_default_destroy () 746=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
482 747
483Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 748Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
484etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 749etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
485sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 750sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
486responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 751responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
487calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 752calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
488the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 753the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
489for example). 754for example).
490 755
491Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by 756Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
492this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers) 757handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
493would need to be stopped manually. 758as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
494 759
495In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 760This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
496rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 761C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
762C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
763
764Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
765except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
497pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 766If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
498C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>). 767and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
499 768
500=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 769=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
501 770
502Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
503earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
504
505=item ev_default_fork ()
506
507This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations 771This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
508to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 772to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite
509name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 773the name, you can call it anytime you are allowed to start or stop
510the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little 774watchers (except inside an C<ev_prepare> callback), but it makes most
511sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev 775sense after forking, in the child process. You I<must> call it (or use
512functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration. 776C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
777
778In addition, if you want to reuse a loop (via this function or
779C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>), you I<also> have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>.
780
781Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
782a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
783because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
784during fork.
513 785
514On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 786On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
515process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If 787process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
516you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all. 788you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
789call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
790difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
791costly reset of the backend).
517 792
518The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 793The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
519it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 794it just in case after a fork.
520quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
521 795
796Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
797using pthreads.
798
799 static void
800 post_fork_child (void)
801 {
802 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
803 }
804
805 ...
522 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 806 pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
523
524=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
525
526Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
527C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
528after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
529 807
530=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 808=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
531 809
532Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise. 810Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
811otherwise.
533 812
534=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 813=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
535 814
536Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 815Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
537the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 816to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
538happily wraps around with enough iterations. 817and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
539 818
540This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 819This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
541"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 820"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
542C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls. 821C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
822prepare and check phases.
823
824=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
825
826Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
827times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
828
829Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
830C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
831in which case it is higher.
832
833Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
834throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
835as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
836convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
543 837
544=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 838=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
545 839
546Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 840Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
547use. 841use.
552received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 846received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
553change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 847change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
554time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 848time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
555event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 849event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
556 850
851=item ev_now_update (loop)
852
853Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
854returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
855is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
856
857This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
858very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
859the current time is a good idea.
860
861See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
862
863=item ev_suspend (loop)
864
865=item ev_resume (loop)
866
867These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
868loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
869
870A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
871the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
872would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
873the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
874in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
875C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
876
877Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
878between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
879will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
880occurred while suspended).
881
882After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
883given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
884without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
885
886Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
887event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
888
557=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 889=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
558 890
559Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 891Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
560after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 892after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
561events. 893handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
894the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
895is why event loops are called I<loops>.
562 896
563If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 897If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
564either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 898until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
899called.
565 900
901The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
902usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
903(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
904
566Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 905Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
567relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 906relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
568finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that 907finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
569automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of 908that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
570relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty. 909of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
910beauty.
571 911
912This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
913C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
914exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
915will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
916
572A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 917A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
573those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 918those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
574case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 919block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
920iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
921events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
575 922
576A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 923A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
577neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 924necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
578your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 925will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
579one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 926be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
580external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 927user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
928iteration of the loop.
929
930This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
931with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
581libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 932own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
582usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 933usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
583 934
584Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 935Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
936understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
937future versions):
585 938
939 - Increment loop depth.
940 - Reset the ev_break status.
586 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 941 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
942 LOOP:
587 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 943 - If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
588 - If a fork was detected, queue and call all fork watchers. 944 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
589 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 945 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
946 - If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
590 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 947 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
948 as to not disturb the other process.
591 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 949 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
592 - Update the "event loop time". 950 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
593 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 951 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
594 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 952 (active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
595 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 953 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
596 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 954 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
955 - Increment loop iteration counter.
597 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 956 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
598 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 957 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
599 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 958 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
600 - Queue all outstanding timers. 959 - Queue all expired timers.
601 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 960 - Queue all expired periodics.
602 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 961 - Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
603 - Queue all check watchers. 962 - Queue all check watchers.
604 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 963 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
605 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 964 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
606 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 965 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
607 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 966 - If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
608 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise 967 were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
609 continue with step *. 968 continue with step LOOP.
969 FINISH:
970 - Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
971 - Decrement the loop depth.
972 - Return.
610 973
611Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding 974Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
612anymore. 975anymore.
613 976
614 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 977 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
615 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 978 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
616 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 979 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
617 ... jobs done. yeah! 980 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
618 981
619=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 982=item ev_break (loop, how)
620 983
621Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 984Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
622has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 985has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
623C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 986C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
624C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 987C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
625 988
626This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 989This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
990
991It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
992which case it will have no effect.
627 993
628=item ev_ref (loop) 994=item ev_ref (loop)
629 995
630=item ev_unref (loop) 996=item ev_unref (loop)
631 997
632Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 998Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
633loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 999loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
634count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have 1000count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
635a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from 1001
636returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 1002This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
1003unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
1004returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
1005before stopping it.
1006
637example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 1007As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
638visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 1008is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
639no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 1009exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
640way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 1010excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
641libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop> 1011third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
642(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before, 1012before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
643respectively). 1013before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
1014(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
1015in the callback).
644 1016
645Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 1017Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
646running when nothing else is active. 1018running when nothing else is active.
647 1019
648 struct ev_signal exitsig; 1020 ev_signal exitsig;
649 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 1021 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
650 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 1022 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
651 evf_unref (loop); 1023 ev_unref (loop);
652 1024
653Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 1025Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
654 1026
655 ev_ref (loop); 1027 ev_ref (loop);
656 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 1028 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
657 1029
658=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval) 1030=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
659 1031
660=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval) 1032=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
661 1033
662These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting 1034These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
663for events. Both are by default C<0>, meaning that libev will try to 1035for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
664invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum latency. 1036will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
1037latency.
665 1038
666Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>) 1039Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
667allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks to 1040allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
668increase efficiency of loop iterations. 1041to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
1042opportunities).
669 1043
670The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to 1044The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
671handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes 1045one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
672the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new 1046program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
673events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high 1047events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
674overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 1048overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
675 1049
676By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 1050By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
677time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 1051time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
678at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 1052at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
679C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 1053C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
680introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. 1054introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
1055sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
1056once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
1057good enough).
681 1058
682Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 1059Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
683to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 1060to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
684latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers 1061latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
685will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce 1062later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
686any overhead in libev. 1063value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
687 1064
688Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the io collect 1065Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
689interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for 1066interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
690interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It 1067interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
691usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 1068usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
692as this approsaches the timing granularity of most systems. 1069as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
1070you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
1071parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
1072need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
1073then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
693 1074
1075Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
1076saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
1077are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
1078times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
1079reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
1080they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
1081
1082Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
1083more often than 100 times per second:
1084
1085 ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
1086 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
1087
1088=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
1089
1090This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
1091pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
1092but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
1093function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
1094when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
1095event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
1096thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
1097
1098=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
1099
1100Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
1101are pending.
1102
1103=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
1104
1105This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
1106invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
1107this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
1108invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
1109
1110If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
1111callback.
1112
1113=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
1114
1115Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
1116can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
1117each call to a libev function.
1118
1119However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
1120to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
1121loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
1122I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
1123
1124When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
1125suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
1126afterwards.
1127
1128Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
1129C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
1130
1131While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
1132C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
1133modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
1134have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
1135waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
1136to take note of any changes you made.
1137
1138In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
1139invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
1140
1141See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
1142document.
1143
1144=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
1145
1146=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
1147
1148Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
1149C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
1150C<0>.
1151
1152These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
1153and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
1154C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
1155any other purpose as well.
1156
694=item ev_loop_verify (loop) 1157=item ev_verify (loop)
695 1158
696This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been 1159This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
697compiled in. It tries to go through all internal structures and checks 1160compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
698them for validity. If anything is found to be inconsistent, it will print 1161through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
699an error message to standard error and call C<abort ()>. 1162is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
1163error and call C<abort ()>.
700 1164
701This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal 1165This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
702circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its 1166circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
703data structures consistent. 1167data structures consistent.
704 1168
705=back 1169=back
706 1170
707 1171
708=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 1172=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
709 1173
1174In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
1175watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
1176watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
1177
710A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 1178A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
711interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 1179your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
712become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 1180to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
1181for that:
713 1182
714 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1183 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
715 { 1184 {
716 ev_io_stop (w); 1185 ev_io_stop (w);
717 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1186 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
718 } 1187 }
719 1188
720 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 1189 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
1190
721 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 1191 ev_io stdin_watcher;
1192
722 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 1193 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
723 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1194 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
724 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 1195 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
1196
725 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1197 ev_run (loop, 0);
726 1198
727As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 1199As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
728watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 1200watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
729although this can sometimes be quite valid). 1201stack).
730 1202
1203Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
1204or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
1205
731Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1206Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
732(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1207*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
733callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 1208invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
734watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1209time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
735is readable and/or writable). 1210and/or writable).
736 1211
737Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 1212Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
738with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 1213macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
739to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 1214is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
740(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1215ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
741 1216
742To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 1217To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
743with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 1218with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
744*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 1219*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
745corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 1220corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
746 1221
747As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 1222As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
748must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 1223must not touch the values stored in it except when explicitly documented
749reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 1224otherwise. Most specifically you must never reinitialise it or call its
1225C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
750 1226
751Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 1227Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
752registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 1228registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
753third argument. 1229third argument.
754 1230
763=item C<EV_WRITE> 1239=item C<EV_WRITE>
764 1240
765The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or 1241The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
766writable. 1242writable.
767 1243
768=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> 1244=item C<EV_TIMER>
769 1245
770The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out. 1246The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
771 1247
772=item C<EV_PERIODIC> 1248=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
773 1249
791 1267
792=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1268=item C<EV_PREPARE>
793 1269
794=item C<EV_CHECK> 1270=item C<EV_CHECK>
795 1271
796All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts 1272All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
797to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1273gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
798C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1274just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
1275for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
1276watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
1277C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
1278or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
1279
799received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1280Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
800many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1281they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
801(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1282C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
802C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1283blocking).
803 1284
804=item C<EV_EMBED> 1285=item C<EV_EMBED>
805 1286
806The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1287The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
807 1288
808=item C<EV_FORK> 1289=item C<EV_FORK>
809 1290
810The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 1291The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
811C<ev_fork>). 1292C<ev_fork>).
812 1293
1294=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
1295
1296The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
1297
813=item C<EV_ASYNC> 1298=item C<EV_ASYNC>
814 1299
815The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 1300The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
816 1301
1302=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
1303
1304Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
1305by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
1306
817=item C<EV_ERROR> 1307=item C<EV_ERROR>
818 1308
819An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 1309An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
820happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 1310happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
821ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 1311ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
1312problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
1313
822problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 1314You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
823with the watcher being stopped. 1315watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
1316an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
1317bug in your program.
824 1318
825Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 1319Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
826for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 1320example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
827your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 1321callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
828with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 1322the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
829programs, though, so beware. 1323programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
1324thing, so beware.
830 1325
831=back 1326=back
832 1327
833=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 1328=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
834
835In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
836e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
837 1329
838=over 4 1330=over 4
839 1331
840=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1332=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
841 1333
847which rolls both calls into one. 1339which rolls both calls into one.
848 1340
849You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 1341You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
850(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 1342(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
851 1343
852The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 1344The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
853int revents)>. 1345int revents)>.
854 1346
1347Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
1348
1349 ev_io w;
1350 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
1351 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1352
855=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1353=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
856 1354
857This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1355This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
858call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1356call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
859call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1357call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
860macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1358macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
861difference to the C<ev_init> macro). 1359difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
862 1360
863Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 1361Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
864(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 1362(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
865 1363
1364See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
1365
866=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 1366=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
867 1367
868This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 1368This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
869calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 1369calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
870a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 1370a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
871 1371
1372Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
1373
1374 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1375
872=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1376=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
873 1377
874Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1378Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
875events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1379events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
876 1380
1381Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1382whole section.
1383
1384 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1385
877=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1386=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
878 1387
879Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 1388Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1389the watcher was active or not).
1390
880status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 1391It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
881non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 1392non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
882C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 1393calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
883you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 1394pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
884good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 1395therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
885 1396
886=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1397=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
887 1398
888Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1399Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
889and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1400and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
900 1411
901=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1412=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
902 1413
903Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1414Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
904 1415
905=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1416=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
906 1417
907Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1418Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
908(modulo threads). 1419(modulo threads).
909 1420
910=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1421=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
911 1422
912=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1423=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
913 1424
914Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1425Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
915integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1426integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
916(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked 1427(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
917before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers 1428before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
918from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers). 1429from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
919 1430
920This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
921invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
922example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
923watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
924
925If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending 1431If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
926you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality. 1432you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
927 1433
928You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or 1434You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
929pending. 1435pending.
930 1436
1437Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1438fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1439or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1440
931The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1441The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
932always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1442always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
933 1443
934Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1444See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
935fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1445priorities.
936or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
937 1446
938=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1447=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
939 1448
940Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1449Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
941C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1450C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
942can deal with that fact. 1451can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
1452callback.
943 1453
944=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1454=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
945 1455
946If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status 1456If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
947and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the 1457returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
948watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1458watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
949 1459
1460Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1461callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1462
1463=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1464
1465Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1466had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1467initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1468not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1469
1470Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1471C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1472not started in the first place.
1473
1474See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1475functions that do not need a watcher.
1476
950=back 1477=back
951 1478
1479See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
1480OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
952 1481
953=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1482=head2 WATCHER STATES
954 1483
955Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1484There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
956and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1485active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
957to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1486transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
958don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1487rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
959member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
960data:
961 1488
962 struct my_io 1489=over 4
963 {
964 struct ev_io io;
965 int otherfd;
966 void *somedata;
967 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
968 }
969 1490
970And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1491=item initialised
971can cast it back to your own type:
972 1492
973 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1493Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
974 { 1494initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
975 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1495C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
976 ...
977 }
978 1496
979More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1497In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
980instead have been omitted. 1498use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
1499will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
1500C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
981 1501
982Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1502=item started/running/active
983watchers:
984 1503
985 struct my_biggy 1504Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
986 { 1505property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
987 int some_data; 1506this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
988 ev_timer t1; 1507freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
989 ev_timer t2; 1508and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
990 }
991 1509
992In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1510=item pending
993you need to use C<offsetof>:
994 1511
995 #include <stddef.h> 1512If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
1513in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
1514stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
1515about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
1516callback.
996 1517
1518The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
1519an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
1520is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
1521but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
1522moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
1523previous item still apply.
1524
1525It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
1526via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
1527active.
1528
1529=item stopped
1530
1531A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
1532be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
1533latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1534of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1535freeing it is often a good idea.
1536
1537While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1538initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1539you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
1540it again).
1541
1542=back
1543
1544=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1545
1546Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1547integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1548between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1549
1550In libev, watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1551description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1552range.
1553
1554There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1555by event loops:
1556
1557In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
1558of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
1559watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
1560
1561The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
1562callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
1563watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
1564before polling for new events.
1565
1566Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
1567except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
1568
1569The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
1570watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
1571libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
1572their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
1573common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
1574priority ones.
1575
1576Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
1577watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
1578C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
1579timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
1580other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
1581handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
1582the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
1583handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
1584always, what you want).
1585
1586Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
1587will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
1588received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
1589required.
1590
1591For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1592you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1593the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1594processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1595continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1596the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1597workable.
1598
1599Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1600miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1601it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
1602idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
1603the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
1604
1605Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
1606priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
1607other events are pending:
1608
1609 ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
1610 ev_io io; // actual event watcher
1611
997 static void 1612 static void
998 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1613 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
999 { 1614 {
1000 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1615 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1001 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1616 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1617 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1618
1619 // start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
1620 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1621 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1622 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1002 } 1623 }
1003 1624
1004 static void 1625 static void
1005 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1626 idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1006 { 1627 {
1007 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1628 // actual processing
1008 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1629 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
1630
1631 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as
1632 // we have handled the event
1633 ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
1009 } 1634 }
1635
1636 // initialisation
1637 ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
1638 ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1639 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
1640
1641In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
1642low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
1643enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
1644during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
1645important ones.
1010 1646
1011 1647
1012=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1648=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1013 1649
1014This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1650This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
1015information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros, 1651information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,
1016functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained. 1652functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.
1017 1653
1018Members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning that, 1654Most members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning
1019while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect some 1655that, while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect
1020sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while the 1656some sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while
1021watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which 1657the watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which
1022means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher 1658means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher
1023is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something 1659is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something
1024sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will 1660sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will
1025not crash or malfunction in any way. 1661not crash or malfunction in any way.
1026 1662
1663In any case, the documentation for each member will explain what the
1664effects are, and if there are any additional access restrictions.
1027 1665
1028=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable? 1666=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
1029 1667
1030I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 1668I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
1031in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading 1669in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
1038In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1676In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1039fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1677fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1040descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1678descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1041required if you know what you are doing). 1679required if you know what you are doing).
1042 1680
1043If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
1044(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
1045C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1046
1047Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1681Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1048receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1682receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1049be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1683be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1050because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1684because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1051lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1685with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1052this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1686use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1053it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1054C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1687preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1055 1688
1056If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1689If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1057play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1690not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1058whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1691re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1059such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1692interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1060its own, so its quite safe to use). 1693this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1694use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1695indefinitely.
1696
1697But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1061 1698
1062=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors 1699=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1063 1700
1064Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file 1701Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll, linuxaio) need to be told about closing
1065descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means, 1702a file descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other
1066such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file 1703means, such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some
1067descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop 1704file descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently
1068this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is 1705drop this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then
1069registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in 1706is registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is,
1070fact, a different file descriptor. 1707in fact, a different file descriptor.
1071 1708
1072To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows 1709To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1073the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev 1710the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1074will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise 1711will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1075it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that 1712it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1089 1726
1090There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1727There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1091for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1728for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1092C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1729C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1093 1730
1731=head3 The special problem of files
1732
1733Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1734representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1735doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1736
1737However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1738notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1739there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1740always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1741write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1742
1743Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1744devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1745on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1746will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1747wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1748
1749Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1750mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1751to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1752convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1753usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1754(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1755F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1756asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1757it "just works" instead of freezing.
1758
1759So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1760libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1761when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1762reuse the same code path.
1763
1094=head3 The special problem of fork 1764=head3 The special problem of fork
1095 1765
1096Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1766Some backends (epoll, kqueue, linuxaio, iouring) do not support C<fork ()>
1097useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1767at all or exhibit useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs
1098it in the child. 1768to be told about it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the
1769child.
1099 1770
1100To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1771To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1101C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1772()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1102enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1773C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1103C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1104 1774
1105=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1775=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1106 1776
1107While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE: 1777While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1108when reading from a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program 1778when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1109gets send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most 1779sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1110programs this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually 1780this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1111undesirable.
1112 1781
1113So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you 1782So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1114ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon 1783ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1115somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue). 1784somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1116 1785
1786=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
1787
1788Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
1789found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
1790connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
1791
1792For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
1793of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
1794rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
1795the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
1796typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
1797
1798Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
1799operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
1800situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
1801cope with overload is known (to me).
1802
1803One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
1804- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
1805situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
1806event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
1807
1808A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
1809C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
1810messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
1811what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
1812the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
1813usage.
1814
1815If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
1816descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
1817when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
1818close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
1819clients under typical overload conditions.
1820
1821The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
1822is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
1823opportunity for a DoS attack.
1117 1824
1118=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1825=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1119 1826
1120=over 4 1827=over 4
1121 1828
1122=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1829=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
1123 1830
1124=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1831=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
1125 1832
1126Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1833Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
1127rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1834receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE>, both
1128C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1835C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> or C<0>, to express the desire to receive the given
1836events.
1129 1837
1130=item int fd [read-only] 1838Note that setting the C<events> to C<0> and starting the watcher is
1839supported, but not specially optimized - if your program sometimes happens
1840to generate this combination this is fine, but if it is easy to avoid
1841starting an io watcher watching for no events you should do so.
1131 1842
1132The file descriptor being watched. 1843=item ev_io_modify (ev_io *, int events)
1133 1844
1845Similar to C<ev_io_set>, but only changes the event mask. Using this might
1846be faster with some backends, as libev can assume that the C<fd> still
1847refers to the same underlying file description, something it cannot do
1848when using C<ev_io_set>.
1849
1850=item int fd [no-modify]
1851
1852The file descriptor being watched. While it can be read at any time, you
1853must not modify this member even when the watcher is stopped - always use
1854C<ev_io_set> for that.
1855
1134=item int events [read-only] 1856=item int events [no-modify]
1135 1857
1136The events being watched. 1858The set of events the fd is being watched for, among other flags. Remember
1859that this is a bit set - to test for C<EV_READ>, use C<< w->events &
1860EV_READ >>, and similarly for C<EV_WRITE>.
1861
1862As with C<fd>, you must not modify this member even when the watcher is
1863stopped, always use C<ev_io_set> or C<ev_io_modify> for that.
1137 1864
1138=back 1865=back
1139 1866
1140=head3 Examples 1867=head3 Examples
1141 1868
1142Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1869Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1143readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1870readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1144attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1871attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1145 1872
1146 static void 1873 static void
1147 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1874 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1148 { 1875 {
1149 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1876 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1150 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1877 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1151 } 1878 }
1152 1879
1153 ... 1880 ...
1154 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1881 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1155 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1882 ev_io stdin_readable;
1156 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1883 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1157 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1884 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1158 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1885 ev_run (loop, 0);
1159 1886
1160 1887
1161=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1888=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1162 1889
1163Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1890Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1164given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1891given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
1165 1892
1166The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1893The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
1167times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to january last 1894times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
1168year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1895year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1169detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1896detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1170monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1897monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1898
1899The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1900passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1901might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
1902early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1903iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1904ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1905longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1906
1907=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1908
1909Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1910recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1911you want to raise some error after a while.
1912
1913What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1914inefficient to smart and efficient.
1915
1916In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1917gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1918data or other life sign was received).
1919
1920=over 4
1921
1922=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1923
1924This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1925start the watcher:
1926
1927 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1928 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1929
1930Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1931and start it again:
1932
1933 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1934 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1935 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1936
1937This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1938some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1939data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1940still not a constant-time operation.
1941
1942=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1943
1944This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1945C<ev_timer_start>.
1946
1947To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1948of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1949successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1950you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1951the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1952
1953That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1954C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1955member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1956
1957At start:
1958
1959 ev_init (timer, callback);
1960 timer->repeat = 60.;
1961 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1962
1963Each time there is some activity:
1964
1965 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1966
1967It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1968whether the watcher is active or not:
1969
1970 timer->repeat = 30.;
1971 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1972
1973This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1974you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1975remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1976
1977It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1978
1979=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1980
1981This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1982relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1983our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1984associated activity resets.
1985
1986In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1987but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1988within the callback:
1989
1990 ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1991 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1992 ev_timer timer;
1993
1994 static void
1995 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1996 {
1997 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1998 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1999
2000 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
2001 if (after < 0.)
2002 {
2003 // timeout occurred, take action
2004 }
2005 else
2006 {
2007 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
2008 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
2009 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
2010 // the timeout can occur.
2011 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
2012 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
2013 }
2014 }
2015
2016To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
2017timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
2018C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
2019(EV_A)> from that).
2020
2021If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
2022timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
2023
2024Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
2025and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
2026
2027In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
2028the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
2029again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
2030
2031This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
2032minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
2033libev to change the timeout.
2034
2035To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
2036C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
2037now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
2038the timer:
2039
2040 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
2041 ev_init (&timer, callback);
2042 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
2043
2044When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
2045C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
2046
2047 if (activity detected)
2048 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
2049
2050When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
2051providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
2052will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
2053
2054 timeout = new_value;
2055 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
2056 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
2057
2058This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
2059time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
2060
2061=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
2062
2063If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
2064employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
2065do even better:
2066
2067When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
2068at the I<end> of the list.
2069
2070Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
2071the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
2072
2073When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
2074the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
2075update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
2076
2077This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
2078starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
2079complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
2080ensures that the list stays sorted.
2081
2082=back
2083
2084So which method the best?
2085
2086Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
2087situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
2088better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
2089one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
2090
2091Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
2092rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
2093off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
2094overkill :)
2095
2096=head3 The special problem of being too early
2097
2098If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
2099you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
2100cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
2101guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
2102process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
2103
2104So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
2105delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
2106
2107A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
2108loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
2109this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
2110expect.
2111
2112To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
2113resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
2114yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
2115event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
2116(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
2117
2118If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
2119501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
2120one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
2121intentions.
2122
2123This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
2124delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
2125larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
2126the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
2127
2128So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
2129exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
2130delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
2131late" side of things.
2132
2133=head3 The special problem of time updates
2134
2135Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
2136at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
2137time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
2138growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
2139lots of events in one iteration.
1171 2140
1172The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2141The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1173time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 2142time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1174of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 2143of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1175you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 2144you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1176on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 2145timeout on the current time, use something like the following to adjust
2146for it:
1177 2147
1178 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 2148 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + (ev_time () - ev_now ()), 0.);
1179 2149
1180The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only after its timeout has passed, 2150If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1181but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 2151update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1182order of execution is undefined. 2152()>, although that will push the event time of all outstanding events
2153further into the future.
2154
2155=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2156
2157Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2158"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2159jumps).
2160
2161Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
2162on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
2163than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
2164a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
2165than a directly following call to C<time>.
2166
2167The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
2168C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
2169a second or so.
2170
2171One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
2172the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
2173or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
2174invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
2175
2176This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
2177libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
2178I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
2179
2180If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
2181connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
2182exactly the right behaviour.
2183
2184If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
2185you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
2186time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
2187
2188=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
2189
2190When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
2191can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
2192
2193Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
2194all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
2195to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
2196system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
2197was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
2198towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
2199clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
2200long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
2201be adjusted accordingly.
2202
2203I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
2204operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
2205
2206The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
2207time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
2208is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
2209then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
2210will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
2211use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
2212
2213It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
2214and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
2215deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
2216C<SIGSTOP>).
1183 2217
1184=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2218=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1185 2219
1186=over 4 2220=over 4
1187 2221
1188=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2222=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1189 2223
1190=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2224=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1191 2225
1192Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> 2226Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds (fractional and
1193is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is 2227negative values are supported). If C<repeat> is C<0.>, then it will
1194reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be 2228automatically be stopped once the timeout is reached. If it is positive,
1195configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again, 2229then the timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat>
1196until stopped manually. 2230seconds later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
1197 2231
1198The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if 2232The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1199you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally 2233you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1200trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot 2234trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1201keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2235keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1202do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2236do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1203 2237
1204=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2238=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1205 2239
1206This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 2240This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
1207repeating. The exact semantics are: 2241repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2242timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
1208 2243
2244The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2245applied to the watcher:
2246
2247=over 4
2248
1209If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2249=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
1210 2250
1211If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2251=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
2252out, without invoking it).
1212 2253
1213If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 2254=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
1214C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2255and start the timer, if necessary.
1215 2256
1216This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 2257=back
1217example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle
1218timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1219seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1220configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1221C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1222you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1223socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1224automatically restart it if need be.
1225 2258
1226That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> 2259This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1227altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>: 2260usage example.
1228 2261
1229 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 2262=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1230 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1231 ...
1232 timer->again = 17.;
1233 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1234 ...
1235 timer->again = 10.;
1236 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1237 2263
1238This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time 2264Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1239you want to modify its timeout value. 2265then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
2266the timeout value currently configured.
2267
2268That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
2269C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
2270will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
2271roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
2272too), and so on.
1240 2273
1241=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 2274=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1242 2275
1243The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 2276The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1244or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 2277or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1245which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 2278which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1246 2279
1247=back 2280=back
1248 2281
1249=head3 Examples 2282=head3 Examples
1250 2283
1251Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 2284Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1252 2285
1253 static void 2286 static void
1254 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 2287 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1255 { 2288 {
1256 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 2289 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1257 } 2290 }
1258 2291
1259 struct ev_timer mytimer; 2292 ev_timer mytimer;
1260 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 2293 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1261 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 2294 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1262 2295
1263Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 2296Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1264inactivity. 2297inactivity.
1265 2298
1266 static void 2299 static void
1267 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 2300 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1268 { 2301 {
1269 .. ten seconds without any activity 2302 .. ten seconds without any activity
1270 } 2303 }
1271 2304
1272 struct ev_timer mytimer; 2305 ev_timer mytimer;
1273 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 2306 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1274 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 2307 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1275 ev_loop (loop, 0); 2308 ev_run (loop, 0);
1276 2309
1277 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 2310 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1278 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 2311 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1279 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 2312 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1280 2313
1281 2314
1282=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 2315=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1283 2316
1284Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 2317Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1285(and unfortunately a bit complex). 2318(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1286 2319
1287Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 2320Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1288but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 2321relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1289to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 2322(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calendar or clock). The
1290periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 2323difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1291+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system 2324time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1292clock to january of the previous year, then it will take more than year 2325wrist-watch).
1293to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1294roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1295 2326
2327You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
2328in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
2329seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
2330not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
2331year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
2332C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
2333it, as it uses a relative timeout).
2334
1296C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, 2335C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1297such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other 2336timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1298complicated, rules. 2337other complicated rules. This cannot easily be done with C<ev_timer>
2338watchers, as those cannot react to time jumps.
1299 2339
1300As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 2340As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1301time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 2341point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1302during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 2342timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
2343earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
2344(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1303 2345
1304=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2346=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1305 2347
1306=over 4 2348=over 4
1307 2349
1308=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 2350=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1309 2351
1310=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 2352=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1311 2353
1312Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 2354Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1313operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 2355operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1314 2356
1315=over 4 2357=over 4
1316 2358
1317=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 2359=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1318 2360
1319In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wallclock 2361In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1320time C<at> has passed and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time 2362time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1321jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will 2363time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1322run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time. 2364will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
2365this point in time.
1323 2366
1324=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 2367=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1325 2368
1326In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 2369In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1327C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 2370C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1328and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 2371negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
2372argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1329 2373
1330This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 2374This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1331time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on 2375system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1332the hour: 2376hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1333 2377
1334 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 2378 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1335 2379
1336This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 2380This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1337but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 2381but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1338full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 2382full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1339by 3600. 2383by 3600.
1340 2384
1341Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2385Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1342C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2386C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1343time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2387time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1344 2388
1345For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near 2389The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
1346C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2390interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
1347this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2391microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2392at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2393ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2394C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
1348 2395
1349Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (cpu 2396Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1350speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2397speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1351will of course detoriate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2398will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1352millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2399millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1353 2400
1354=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback) 2401=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1355 2402
1356In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 2403In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1357ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 2404ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1358reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 2405reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1359current time as second argument. 2406current time as second argument.
1360 2407
1361NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 2408NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1362ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>. 2409or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
2410allowed by documentation here>.
1363 2411
1364If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop 2412If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1365it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the 2413it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1366only event loop modification you are allowed to do). 2414only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1367 2415
1368The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic 2416The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1369*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 2417*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1370 2418
2419 static ev_tstamp
1371 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2420 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1372 { 2421 {
1373 return now + 60.; 2422 return now + 60.;
1374 } 2423 }
1375 2424
1376It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 2425It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1380 2429
1381NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or 2430NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1382equal to the passed C<now> value >>. 2431equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1383 2432
1384This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 2433This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1385triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the 2434triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate
1386next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 2435the next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for
1387you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 2436this. Here is a (completely untested, no error checking) example on how to
1388reason I omitted it as an example). 2437do this:
2438
2439 #include <time.h>
2440
2441 static ev_tstamp
2442 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
2443 {
2444 time_t tnow = (time_t)now;
2445 struct tm tm;
2446 localtime_r (&tnow, &tm);
2447
2448 tm.tm_sec = tm.tm_min = tm.tm_hour = 0; // midnight current day
2449 ++tm.tm_mday; // midnight next day
2450
2451 return mktime (&tm);
2452 }
2453
2454Note: this code might run into trouble on days that have more then two
2455midnights (beginning and end).
1389 2456
1390=back 2457=back
1391 2458
1392=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 2459=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
1393 2460
1396a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 2463a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1397program when the crontabs have changed). 2464program when the crontabs have changed).
1398 2465
1399=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *) 2466=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1400 2467
1401When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to 2468When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
1402trigger next. 2469to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
2470C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
2471rescheduling modes.
1403 2472
1404=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write] 2473=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1405 2474
1406When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the 2475When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1407absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>). 2476absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
2477although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1408 2478
1409Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic 2479Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1410timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 2480timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1411 2481
1412=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 2482=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1413 2483
1414The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 2484The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1415take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 2485take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1416called. 2486called.
1417 2487
1418=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 2488=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1419 2489
1420The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 2490The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1421switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 2491switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1422the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 2492the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1423 2493
1424=back 2494=back
1425 2495
1426=head3 Examples 2496=head3 Examples
1427 2497
1428Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2498Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1429system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2499system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1430potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 2500potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1431 2501
1432 static void 2502 static void
1433 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 2503 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1434 { 2504 {
1435 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2505 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1436 } 2506 }
1437 2507
1438 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2508 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1439 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 2509 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1440 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2510 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1441 2511
1442Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 2512Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1443 2513
1444 #include <math.h> 2514 #include <math.h>
1445 2515
1446 static ev_tstamp 2516 static ev_tstamp
1447 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2517 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1448 { 2518 {
1449 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 2519 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1450 } 2520 }
1451 2521
1452 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 2522 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1453 2523
1454Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 2524Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1455 2525
1456 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2526 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1457 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2527 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1458 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2528 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1459 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2529 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1460 2530
1461 2531
1462=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2532=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1463 2533
1464Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2534Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1465signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2535signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1466will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2536will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1467normal event processing, like any other event. 2537normal event processing, like any other event.
1468 2538
2539If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2540C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2541the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2542synchronously wake up an event loop.
2543
1469You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 2544You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
1470first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 2545only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
1471with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 2546default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
1472as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 2547C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
1473watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 2548the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
1474SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 2549
2550Only after the first watcher for a signal is started will libev actually
2551register something with the kernel. It thus coexists with your own signal
2552handlers as long as you don't register any with libev for the same signal.
1475 2553
1476If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 2554If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1477C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so syscalls should not be unduly 2555C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1478interrupted. If you have a problem with syscalls getting interrupted by 2556not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1479signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock 2557interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1480them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 2558and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2559
2560=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2561
2562Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2563(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2564stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2565and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2566see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2567
2568While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2569sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2570C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2571certain signals to be blocked.
2572
2573This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
2574the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
2575choice usually).
2576
2577The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2578to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2579catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2580
2581In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2582unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2583the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2584I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2585
2586So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2587you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2588is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2589
2590=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2591
2592POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2593a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2594threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2595
2596When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2597for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2598all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2599sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2600loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2601these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2602in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
1481 2603
1482=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2604=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1483 2605
1484=over 4 2606=over 4
1485 2607
1496 2618
1497=back 2619=back
1498 2620
1499=head3 Examples 2621=head3 Examples
1500 2622
1501Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 2623Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1502 2624
1503 static void 2625 static void
1504 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 2626 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1505 { 2627 {
1506 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2628 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1507 } 2629 }
1508 2630
1509 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 2631 ev_signal signal_watcher;
1510 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2632 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1511 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 2633 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1512 2634
1513 2635
1514=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 2636=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1515 2637
1516Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 2638Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1517some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It 2639some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1518is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been 2640exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1519forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event 2641has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1520loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher). 2642as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
2643forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
2644but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
2645in the next callback invocation is not.
1521 2646
1522Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore 2647Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1523you can only rgeister child watchers in the default event loop. 2648you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
2649
2650Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
2651handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
2652libev)
1524 2653
1525=head3 Process Interaction 2654=head3 Process Interaction
1526 2655
1527Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is 2656Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1528initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if 2657initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1529the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurance 2658first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1530of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done 2659of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1531synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all 2660synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1532children, even ones not watched. 2661children, even ones not watched.
1533 2662
1534=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing 2663=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1538handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for 2667handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1539C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the 2668C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1540default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an 2669default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1541event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for 2670event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1542that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely. 2671that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
2672
2673=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
2674
2675Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
2676child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
2677callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
2678when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
2679problem).
1543 2680
1544=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2681=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1545 2682
1546=over 4 2683=over 4
1547 2684
1576=head3 Examples 2713=head3 Examples
1577 2714
1578Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for 2715Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1579its completion. 2716its completion.
1580 2717
1581 ev_child cw; 2718 ev_child cw;
1582 2719
1583 static void 2720 static void
1584 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents) 2721 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1585 { 2722 {
1586 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w); 2723 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1587 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus); 2724 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1588 } 2725 }
1589 2726
1590 pid_t pid = fork (); 2727 pid_t pid = fork ();
1591 2728
1592 if (pid < 0) 2729 if (pid < 0)
1593 // error 2730 // error
1594 else if (pid == 0) 2731 else if (pid == 0)
1595 { 2732 {
1596 // the forked child executes here 2733 // the forked child executes here
1597 exit (1); 2734 exit (1);
1598 } 2735 }
1599 else 2736 else
1600 { 2737 {
1601 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0); 2738 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1602 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw); 2739 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1603 } 2740 }
1604 2741
1605 2742
1606=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 2743=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1607 2744
1608This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 2745This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1609C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 2746C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1610compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 2747and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback
2748if it did. Starting the watcher C<stat>'s the file, so only changes that
2749happen after the watcher has been started will be reported.
1611 2750
1612The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 2751The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1613not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 2752not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1614not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 2753exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1615otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 2754C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1616the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 2755least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
2756contents.
1617 2757
1618The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 2758The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
2759C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1619relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 2760your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1620 2761
1621Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 2762Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1622calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 2763portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1623can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 2764to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1624a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 2765interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1625unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 2766recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1626five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 2767(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1627impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 2768change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1628usually overkill. 2769currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1629 2770
1630This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 2771This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1631as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 2772as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1632resource-intensive. 2773resource-intensive.
1633 2774
1634At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 2775At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1635implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 2776is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1636reader, note, however, that the author sees no way of implementing ev_stat 2777exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1637semantics with kqueue). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should 2778implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1638not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev
1639sometimes needs to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify,
1640but changes are usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there
1641will be no polling.
1642 2779
1643=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support) 2780=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1644 2781
1645Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default 2782Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1646compilation environment, which means that on systems with optionally 2783compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1647disabled large file support, you get the 32 bit version of the stat 2784support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1648structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to 2785structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1649use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to 2786use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1650compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is 2787compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1651obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is 2788obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1652most noticably with ev_stat and largefile support. 2789most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1653 2790
1654=head3 Inotify 2791The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
2792file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
2793optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
2794to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
2795default compilation environment.
1655 2796
2797=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
2798
1656When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only 2799When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1657available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up 2800runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1658change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily 2801inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1659when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started. 2802watcher is being started.
1660 2803
1661Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers 2804Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1662except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid 2805except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1663making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support 2806making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1664there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling. 2807there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
2808but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
2809many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
2810a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
2811xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1665 2812
1666(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to 2813There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1667implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file 2814implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1668descriptor open on the object at all times). 2815descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
2816etc. is difficult.
2817
2818=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
2819
2820Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
2821the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2822()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2823
2824For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2825busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2826as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
2827watcher).
2828
2829For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2830time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2831often takes multiple milliseconds.
2832
2833Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
2834paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
1669 2835
1670=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution 2836=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1671 2837
1672The C<stat ()> syscall only supports full-second resolution portably, and 2838The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1673even on systems where the resolution is higher, many filesystems still 2839and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1674only support whole seconds. 2840still only support whole seconds.
1675 2841
1676That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can 2842That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1677easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and 2843easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1678calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update 2844calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1679within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it as the stat 2845within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
1680data does not change. 2846stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
1681 2847
1682The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more 2848The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1683than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using 2849than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1684a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02); 2850a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1685ev_timer_again (loop, w)>). 2851ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1705C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 2871C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1706be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 2872be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1707a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 2873a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1708path for as long as the watcher is active. 2874path for as long as the watcher is active.
1709 2875
1710The callback will receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, relative 2876The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1711to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the last change 2877relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1712was detected). 2878last change was detected).
1713 2879
1714=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *) 2880=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1715 2881
1716Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 2882Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1717watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid 2883watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1738 2904
1739The specified interval. 2905The specified interval.
1740 2906
1741=item const char *path [read-only] 2907=item const char *path [read-only]
1742 2908
1743The filesystem path that is being watched. 2909The file system path that is being watched.
1744 2910
1745=back 2911=back
1746 2912
1747=head3 Examples 2913=head3 Examples
1748 2914
1749Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 2915Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1750 2916
1751 static void 2917 static void
1752 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 2918 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1753 { 2919 {
1754 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 2920 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1755 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 2921 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1756 { 2922 {
1757 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 2923 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1758 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2924 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1759 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2925 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1760 } 2926 }
1761 else 2927 else
1762 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 2928 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1763 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 2929 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1764 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 2930 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1765 } 2931 }
1766 2932
1767 ... 2933 ...
1768 ev_stat passwd; 2934 ev_stat passwd;
1769 2935
1770 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.); 2936 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1771 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2937 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1772 2938
1773Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not 2939Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1774miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so 2940miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1775one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on 2941one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1776C<ev_timer> callback invocation). 2942C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1777 2943
1778 static ev_stat passwd; 2944 static ev_stat passwd;
1779 static ev_timer timer; 2945 static ev_timer timer;
1780 2946
1781 static void 2947 static void
1782 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2948 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1783 { 2949 {
1784 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w); 2950 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1785 2951
1786 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */ 2952 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1787 } 2953 }
1788 2954
1789 static void 2955 static void
1790 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents) 2956 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1791 { 2957 {
1792 /* reset the one-second timer */ 2958 /* reset the one-second timer */
1793 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer); 2959 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1794 } 2960 }
1795 2961
1796 ... 2962 ...
1797 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.); 2963 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1798 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2964 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1799 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02); 2965 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1800 2966
1801 2967
1802=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 2968=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1803 2969
1804Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher 2970Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1805priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not 2971priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1806count). 2972as receiving "events").
1807 2973
1808That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts 2974That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1809(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be 2975(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1810triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers 2976triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1811are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop 2977are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1818Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2984Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1819effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2985effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1820"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2986"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1821event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2987event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1822 2988
2989=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
2990
2991As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
2992sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
2993For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
2994lowest priority will do.
2995
2996This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
2997to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
2998between different connections.
2999
3000See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
3001example.
3002
1823=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3003=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1824 3004
1825=over 4 3005=over 4
1826 3006
1827=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3007=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1828 3008
1829Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 3009Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1830kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3010kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1831believe me. 3011believe me.
1832 3012
1835=head3 Examples 3015=head3 Examples
1836 3016
1837Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 3017Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1838callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 3018callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1839 3019
1840 static void 3020 static void
1841 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 3021 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1842 { 3022 {
3023 // stop the watcher
3024 ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
3025
3026 // now we can free it
1843 free (w); 3027 free (w);
3028
1844 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 3029 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1845 // no longer anything immediate to do. 3030 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1846 } 3031 }
1847 3032
1848 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 3033 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1849 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 3034 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1850 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 3035 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1851 3036
1852 3037
1853=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 3038=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1854 3039
1855Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 3040Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
1856prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 3041prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1857afterwards. 3042afterwards.
1858 3043
1859You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 3044You I<must not> call C<ev_run> (or similar functions that enter the
1860the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 3045current event loop) or C<ev_loop_fork> from either C<ev_prepare> or
1861watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 3046C<ev_check> watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine,
1862rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 3047however. The rationale behind this is that you do not need to check
1863those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 3048for recursion in those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be
1864C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 3049C<ev_prepare>, blocking, C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each
1865called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 3050kind they will always be called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1866 3051
1867Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 3052Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1868their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 3053their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1869variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 3054variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1870coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 3055coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1871you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example, 3056you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1872in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare> 3057in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1873watcher). 3058watcher).
1874 3059
1875This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 3060This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1876to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 3061need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1877them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 3062for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1878provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 3063libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1879any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 3064you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1880and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 3065of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1881callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 3066I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1882because you never know, you know?). 3067nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1883 3068
1884As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 3069As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1885coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 3070coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1886during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 3071during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1887are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines 3072are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1888with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 3073with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1889of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 3074of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1890loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 3075loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1891low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 3076low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1892 3077
1893It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 3078When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
1894priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 3079highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
3080any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
3081watchers).
3082
1895after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, 3083Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
1896too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully 3084activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
1897supports this, they might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers 3085might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
1898did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other 3086C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
1899(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable 3087loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1900state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to 3088C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1901coexist peacefully with others). 3089others).
3090
3091=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
3092
3093C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
3094useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
3095example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
3096normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
3097is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
3098connections have a chance of making progress.
3099
3100Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
3101next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
3102without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
3103
3104This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
3105single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
3106C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
3107will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
3108invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
1902 3109
1903=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3110=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1904 3111
1905=over 4 3112=over 4
1906 3113
1908 3115
1909=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 3116=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1910 3117
1911Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 3118Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1912parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 3119parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1913macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 3120macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
3121pointless.
1914 3122
1915=back 3123=back
1916 3124
1917=head3 Examples 3125=head3 Examples
1918 3126
1927and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows 3135and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1928is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low 3136is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1929priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as 3137priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1930the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet. 3138the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1931 3139
1932 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 3140 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1933 static ev_timer tw; 3141 static ev_timer tw;
1934 3142
1935 static void 3143 static void
1936 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 3144 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1937 { 3145 {
1938 } 3146 }
1939 3147
1940 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 3148 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1941 static void 3149 static void
1942 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 3150 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1943 { 3151 {
1944 int timeout = 3600000; 3152 int timeout = 3600000;
1945 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 3153 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1946 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 3154 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1947 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 3155 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1948 3156
1949 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 3157 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1950 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 3158 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1951 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 3159 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1952 3160
1953 // create one ev_io per pollfd 3161 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1954 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 3162 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1955 { 3163 {
1956 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 3164 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1957 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 3165 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1958 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 3166 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1959 3167
1960 fds [i].revents = 0; 3168 fds [i].revents = 0;
1961 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 3169 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1962 } 3170 }
1963 } 3171 }
1964 3172
1965 // stop all watchers after blocking 3173 // stop all watchers after blocking
1966 static void 3174 static void
1967 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 3175 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1968 { 3176 {
1969 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 3177 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1970 3178
1971 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 3179 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1972 { 3180 {
1973 // set the relevant poll flags 3181 // set the relevant poll flags
1974 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here 3182 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1975 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i; 3183 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1976 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i); 3184 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1977 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN; 3185 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1978 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT; 3186 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1979 3187
1980 // now stop the watcher 3188 // now stop the watcher
1981 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 3189 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1982 } 3190 }
1983 3191
1984 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 3192 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1985 } 3193 }
1986 3194
1987Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll> 3195Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1988in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher. 3196in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1989 3197
1990Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event 3198Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1991notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher 3199notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1992callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher. 3200callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1993 3201
1994 static void 3202 static void
1995 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3203 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1996 { 3204 {
1997 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data; 3205 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1998 update_now (EV_A); 3206 update_now (EV_A);
1999 3207
2000 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now); 3208 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
2001 } 3209 }
2002 3210
2003 static void 3211 static void
2004 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents) 3212 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
2005 { 3213 {
2006 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data; 3214 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2007 update_now (EV_A); 3215 update_now (EV_A);
2008 3216
2009 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now); 3217 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2010 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now); 3218 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2011 } 3219 }
2012 3220
2013 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll 3221 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2014 3222
2015Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you 3223Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2016want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override 3224want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
2017their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main 3225override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
2018loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does 3226main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
2019this. 3227this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
3228libglib event loop.
2020 3229
2021 static gint 3230 static gint
2022 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout) 3231 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2023 { 3232 {
2024 int got_events = 0; 3233 int got_events = 0;
2025 3234
2026 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n) 3235 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2027 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events 3236 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
2028 3237
2029 if (timeout >= 0) 3238 if (timeout >= 0)
2030 // create/start timer 3239 // create/start timer
2031 3240
2032 // poll 3241 // poll
2033 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3242 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2034 3243
2035 // stop timer again 3244 // stop timer again
2036 if (timeout >= 0) 3245 if (timeout >= 0)
2037 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 3246 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2038 3247
2039 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set 3248 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2040 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n) 3249 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2041 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]); 3250 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2042 3251
2043 return got_events; 3252 return got_events;
2044 } 3253 }
2045 3254
2046 3255
2047=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 3256=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
2048 3257
2049This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 3258This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
2055prioritise I/O. 3264prioritise I/O.
2056 3265
2057As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 3266As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
2058sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you 3267sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
2059still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales 3268still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
2060so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it 3269so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
2061into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will 3270it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
2062be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but 3271will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
2063at least you can use both at what they are best. 3272C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
3273best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
2064 3274
2065As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 3275As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
2066to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 3276some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2067priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 3277and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2068you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 3278this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2069a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 3279the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2070 3280
2071As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 3281As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2072there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 3282time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2073call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 3283must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2074their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 3284sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2075loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 3285C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2076to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 3286to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2077embedded loop sweep.
2078 3287
2079As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 3288You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2080callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 3289will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2081set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2082interested in that.
2083 3290
2084Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 3291Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2085when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 3292is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2086but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 3293embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2087yourself. 3294C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2088 3295
2089Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by 3296Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2090C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 3297C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2091portable one. 3298portable one.
2092 3299
2093So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 3300So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
2094that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 3301that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
2095this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 3302this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
2096create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything. 3303create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
2097 3304
3305=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
3306
3307While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
3308automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
3309fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
3310however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
3311as applicable.
3312
2098=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3313=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2099 3314
2100=over 4 3315=over 4
2101 3316
2102=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 3317=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2103 3318
2104=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 3319=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2105 3320
2106Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 3321Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2107embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 3322embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2108invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 3323invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2109to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 3324to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2110if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 3325if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2111 3326
2112=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 3327=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2113 3328
2114Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 3329Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2115similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 3330similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2116apropriate way for embedded loops. 3331appropriate way for embedded loops.
2117 3332
2118=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 3333=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2119 3334
2120The embedded event loop. 3335The embedded event loop.
2121 3336
2123 3338
2124=head3 Examples 3339=head3 Examples
2125 3340
2126Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default 3341Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2127event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default 3342event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2128loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the mebeddable loop is stored in 3343loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2129C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the acse no embeddable loop can be 3344C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2130used). 3345used).
2131 3346
2132 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 3347 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2133 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 3348 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2134 struct ev_embed embed; 3349 ev_embed embed;
2135 3350
2136 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works 3351 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2137 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection) 3352 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2138 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends () 3353 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2139 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()) 3354 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2140 : 0; 3355 : 0;
2141 3356
2142 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi 3357 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2143 if (loop_lo) 3358 if (loop_lo)
2144 { 3359 {
2145 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo); 3360 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2146 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 3361 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2147 } 3362 }
2148 else 3363 else
2149 loop_lo = loop_hi; 3364 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2150 3365
2151Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create 3366Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2152a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any 3367a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2153kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in 3368kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2154C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too). 3369C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2155 3370
2156 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 3371 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2157 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0; 3372 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2158 struct ev_embed embed; 3373 ev_embed embed;
2159 3374
2160 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE) 3375 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2161 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)) 3376 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2162 { 3377 {
2163 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket); 3378 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2164 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed); 3379 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2165 } 3380 }
2166 3381
2167 if (!loop_socket) 3382 if (!loop_socket)
2168 loop_socket = loop; 3383 loop_socket = loop;
2169 3384
2170 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else 3385 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
2171 3386
2172 3387
2173=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 3388=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2174 3389
2175Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 3390Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
2176whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling 3391whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
2177C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the 3392C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the event loop blocks next
2178event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 3393and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, and only in the child
2179and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 3394after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling C<ev_default_fork> cheats
2180C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 3395and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too,
2181handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 3396of course.
3397
3398=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
3399
3400Most uses of C<fork ()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
3401up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
3402sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
3403
3404This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
3405in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
3406fork.
3407
3408The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
3409forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
3410when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
3411
3412When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
3413wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
3414supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
3415process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
3416
3417The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
3418simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
3419use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
3420memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
3421disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
3422signal watchers).
3423
3424When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
3425other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
3426C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
3427Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
3428watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
3429those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
3430signal watchers.
2182 3431
2183=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3432=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2184 3433
2185=over 4 3434=over 4
2186 3435
2187=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3436=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
2188 3437
2189Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 3438Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2190kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3439kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2191believe me. 3440really.
2192 3441
2193=back 3442=back
2194 3443
2195 3444
3445=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
3446
3447Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
3448by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
3449
3450While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
3451watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
3452program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
3453loop when you want them to be invoked.
3454
3455Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
3456all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
3457makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
3458can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
3459
3460=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3461
3462=over 4
3463
3464=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
3465
3466Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
3467any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
3468pointless, I assure you.
3469
3470=back
3471
3472Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
3473cleanup functions are called.
3474
3475 static void
3476 program_exits (void)
3477 {
3478 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
3479 }
3480
3481 ...
3482 atexit (program_exits);
3483
3484
2196=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop 3485=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2197 3486
2198In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other 3487In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2199asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3488asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2200loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3489loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2201 3490
2202Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not 3491Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2203control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what 3492for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2204C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you 3493watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2205can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal 3494it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2206safe.
2207 3495
2208This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3496This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2209too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3497too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2210(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3498(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2211C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3499C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
2212 3500of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
2213Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3501signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
2214just the default loop. 3502even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
2215 3503
2216=head3 Queueing 3504=head3 Queueing
2217 3505
2218C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3506C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2219is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3507is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2220multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 3508multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2221need elaborate support such as pthreads. 3509need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
3510semantics.
2222 3511
2223That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 3512That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2224queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your 3513queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2225queue: 3514queue:
2226 3515
2227=over 4 3516=over 4
2228 3517
2229=item queueing from a signal handler context 3518=item queueing from a signal handler context
2230 3519
2231To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal 3520To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2232handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for 3521handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
2233some fictitiuous SIGUSR1 handler: 3522an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2234 3523
2235 static ev_async mysig; 3524 static ev_async mysig;
2236 3525
2237 static void 3526 static void
2238 sigusr1_handler (void) 3527 sigusr1_handler (void)
2304=over 4 3593=over 4
2305 3594
2306=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback) 3595=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2307 3596
2308Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any 3597Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2309kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3598kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2310believe me. 3599trust me.
2311 3600
2312=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3601=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2313 3602
2314Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3603Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2315an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3604an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3605returns.
3606
2316C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or 3607Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
2317similar contexts (see the dicusssion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3608signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
2318section below on what exactly this means). 3609embedding section below on what exactly this means).
2319 3610
2320This call incurs the overhead of a syscall only once per loop iteration, 3611Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
2321so while the overhead might be noticable, it doesn't apply to repeated 3612compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
2322calls to C<ev_async_send>. 3613this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3614C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3615
3616This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3617loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3618the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
3619repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
3620performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
3621zero) under load.
2323 3622
2324=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3623=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2325 3624
2326Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3625Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2327watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3626watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2328event loop. 3627event loop.
2329 3628
2330C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When 3629C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2331the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active, 3630the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2332it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very 3631it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2333quickly check wether invoking the loop might be a good idea. 3632quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2334 3633
2335Not that this does I<not> check wether the watcher itself is pending, only 3634Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
2336wether it has been requested to make this watcher pending. 3635only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
3636is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
3637notification, and the callback being invoked.
2337 3638
2338=back 3639=back
2339 3640
2340 3641
2341=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 3642=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2342 3643
2343There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 3644There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
2344 3645
2345=over 4 3646=over 4
2346 3647
2347=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 3648=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback, arg)
2348 3649
2349This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 3650This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
2350callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 3651callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
2351watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 3652watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
2352or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 3653or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
2353more watchers yourself. 3654more watchers yourself.
2354 3655
2355If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 3656If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
2356is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 3657C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
2357C<events> set will be craeted and started. 3658the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
2358 3659
2359If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3660If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2360started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3661started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2361repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 3662repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2362dubious value.
2363 3663
2364The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3664The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2365passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3665passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2366C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3666C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2367value passed to C<ev_once>: 3667value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
3668a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
3669events precedence.
2368 3670
3671Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
3672
2369 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3673 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
3674 {
3675 if (revents & EV_READ)
3676 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
3677 else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
3678 /* doh, nothing entered */;
3679 }
3680
3681 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3682
3683=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3684
3685Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3686the given events.
3687
3688=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3689
3690Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3691which is async-safe.
3692
3693=back
3694
3695
3696=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3697
3698This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3699obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3700section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3701
3702=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3703
3704Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3705or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3706to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3707don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3708data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3709data:
3710
3711 struct my_io
3712 {
3713 ev_io io;
3714 int otherfd;
3715 void *somedata;
3716 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3717 };
3718
3719 ...
3720 struct my_io w;
3721 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3722
3723And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3724can cast it back to your own type:
3725
3726 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3727 {
3728 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3729 ...
3730 }
3731
3732More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3733function type instead have been omitted.
3734
3735=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3736
3737Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3738embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3739multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3740
3741 struct my_biggy
3742 {
3743 int some_data;
3744 ev_timer t1;
3745 ev_timer t2;
3746 }
3747
3748In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3749complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3750the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3751to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3752real programmers):
3753
3754 #include <stddef.h>
3755
3756 static void
3757 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3758 {
3759 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3760 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3761 }
3762
3763 static void
3764 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3765 {
3766 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3767 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3768 }
3769
3770=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
3771
3772Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
3773
3774 callback ()
2370 { 3775 {
2371 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 3776 free (request);
2372 /* doh, nothing entered */;
2373 else if (revents & EV_READ)
2374 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2375 } 3777 }
2376 3778
2377 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3779 request = start_new_request (..., callback);
2378 3780
2379=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 3781The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
3782used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
2380 3783
2381Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 3784It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
2382had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 3785immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
2383initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 3786some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
3787operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
2384 3788
2385=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3789The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
3790has returned, so C<request> is not set.
2386 3791
2387Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3792Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
2388the given events it. 3793might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
3794canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
3795already been invoked.
2389 3796
2390=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3797A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
3798C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
3799C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
3800delay invoking the callback by using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher for
3801example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher and
3802pushing it into the pending queue:
2391 3803
2392Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 3804 ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
2393loop!). 3805 ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
2394 3806
2395=back 3807This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
3808invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
3809
3810=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3811
3812Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3813I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3814invoking C<ev_run>.
3815
3816This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3817main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3818a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3819and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3820other combination: In these cases, a simple C<ev_break> will not work.
3821
3822The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3823invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3824triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3825
3826 // main loop
3827 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3828
3829 while (!exit_main_loop)
3830 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3831
3832 // in a modal watcher
3833 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3834
3835 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3836 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3837
3838To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3839
3840 // exit modal loop
3841 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3842
3843 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3844 exit_main_loop = 1;
3845
3846 // exit both
3847 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3848
3849=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3850
3851Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3852thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3853created/added/removed.
3854
3855For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3856which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3857languages).
3858
3859The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3860variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3861event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3862
3863First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3864
3865 typedef struct {
3866 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3867 ev_async async_w;
3868 thread_t tid;
3869 cond_t invoke_cv;
3870 } userdata;
3871
3872 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3873 {
3874 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3875 static userdata u;
3876
3877 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
3878 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3879
3880 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
3881 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
3882
3883 // now associate this with the loop
3884 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3885 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3886 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3887
3888 // then create the thread running ev_run
3889 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3890 }
3891
3892The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3893solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3894that might have been added:
3895
3896 static void
3897 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3898 {
3899 // just used for the side effects
3900 }
3901
3902The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3903protecting the loop data, respectively.
3904
3905 static void
3906 l_release (EV_P)
3907 {
3908 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3909 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3910 }
3911
3912 static void
3913 l_acquire (EV_P)
3914 {
3915 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3916 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3917 }
3918
3919The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3920into C<ev_run>:
3921
3922 void *
3923 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3924 {
3925 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3926
3927 l_acquire (EV_A);
3928 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3929 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3930 l_release (EV_A);
3931
3932 return 0;
3933 }
3934
3935Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3936signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3937writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3938have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3939and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3940watchers is very beneficial):
3941
3942 static void
3943 l_invoke (EV_P)
3944 {
3945 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3946
3947 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3948 {
3949 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3950 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3951 }
3952 }
3953
3954Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3955will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3956thread to continue:
3957
3958 static void
3959 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3960 {
3961 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3962
3963 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3964 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3965 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3966 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3967 }
3968
3969Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3970event loop, you will now have to lock:
3971
3972 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3973 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3974
3975 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3976
3977 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3978 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3979 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3980 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3981
3982Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3983an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3984about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3985watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3986
3987=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
3988
3989While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
3990is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
3991kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
3992doesn't need callbacks anymore.
3993
3994Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
3995C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
3996and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
3997global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
3998event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
3999the differing C<;> conventions):
4000
4001 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
4002 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
4003
4004That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
4005coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
4006your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
4007
4008A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
4009C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
4010matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
4011called):
4012
4013 void
4014 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
4015 {
4016 ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
4017 switch_to (libev_coro);
4018 }
4019
4020That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
4021continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
4022this or any other coroutine.
4023
4024You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
4025instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
4026switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
4027any waiters.
4028
4029To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
4030files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
4031
4032 // my_ev.h
4033 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
4034 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
4035 #include "../libev/ev.h"
4036
4037 // my_ev.c
4038 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
4039 #include "../libev/ev.c"
4040
4041And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
4042F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
4043can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
2396 4044
2397 4045
2398=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 4046=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
2399 4047
2400Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 4048Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
2401emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 4049emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
2402 4050
2403=over 4 4051=over 4
4052
4053=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
4054
4055This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
4056and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
2404 4057
2405=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 4058=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
2406 4059
2407=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 4060=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
2408ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 4061ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
2414=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 4067=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2415will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 4068will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2416is an ev_pri field. 4069is an ev_pri field.
2417 4070
2418=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 4071=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2419first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 4072base that registered the signal gets the signals.
2420 4073
2421=item * Other members are not supported. 4074=item * Other members are not supported.
2422 4075
2423=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 4076=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2424to use the libev header file and library. 4077to use the libev header file and library.
2425 4078
2426=back 4079=back
2427 4080
2428=head1 C++ SUPPORT 4081=head1 C++ SUPPORT
2429 4082
4083=head2 C API
4084
4085The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
4086libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
4087will work fine.
4088
4089Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
4090to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all other
4091callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodic reschedule
4092callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<noexcept>
4093specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C and
4094C++ you can use the C<EV_NOEXCEPT> macro for this:
4095
4096 static void
4097 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_NOEXCEPT
4098 {
4099 perror (msg);
4100 abort ();
4101 }
4102
4103 ...
4104 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
4105
4106The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
4107C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
4108because it runs cleanup watchers).
4109
4110Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
4111is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
4112throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
4113
4114=head2 C++ API
4115
2430Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 4116Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2431you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 4117you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2432the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 4118the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2433 4119
2434To use it, 4120To use it,
2435 4121
2436 #include <ev++.h> 4122 #include <ev++.h>
2437 4123
2438This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 4124This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
2439of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 4125of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
2440put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 4126put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2441options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 4127options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
2443Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 4129Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
2444classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 4130classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2445that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 4131that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2446you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 4132you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2447 4133
2448Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 4134Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
2449used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 4135with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
2450need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 4136to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
2451types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 4137you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
2452it). 4138(preferably after implementing it).
4139
4140For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
4141conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
4142to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
2453 4143
2454Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 4144Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
2455 4145
2456=over 4 4146=over 4
2457 4147
2467=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 4157=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
2468 4158
2469For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 4159For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
2470the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 4160the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
2471which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 4161which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
2472defines by many implementations. 4162defined by many implementations.
2473 4163
2474All of those classes have these methods: 4164All of those classes have these methods:
2475 4165
2476=over 4 4166=over 4
2477 4167
2478=item ev::TYPE::TYPE () 4168=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2479 4169
2480=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *) 4170=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2481 4171
2482=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 4172=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2483 4173
2484The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher 4174The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2485with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>. 4175with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
2508your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the 4198your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2509thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback. 4199thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2510 4200
2511Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation 4201Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2512 4202
2513 struct myclass 4203 struct myclass
2514 { 4204 {
2515 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 4205 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2516 } 4206 }
2517 4207
2518 myclass obj; 4208 myclass obj;
2519 ev::io iow; 4209 ev::io iow;
2520 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 4210 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
4211
4212=item w->set (object *)
4213
4214This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
4215will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
4216functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
4217the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
4218list.
4219
4220The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
4221int revents)>.
4222
4223See the method-C<set> above for more details.
4224
4225Example: use a functor object as callback.
4226
4227 struct myfunctor
4228 {
4229 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
4230 {
4231 ...
4232 }
4233 }
4234
4235 myfunctor f;
4236
4237 ev::io w;
4238 w.set (&f);
2521 4239
2522=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 4240=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2523 4241
2524Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 4242Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2525callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 4243callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2527 4245
2528The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>. 4246The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2529 4247
2530See the method-C<set> above for more details. 4248See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2531 4249
2532Example: 4250Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2533 4251
2534 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 4252 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2535 iow.set <io_cb> (); 4253 iow.set <io_cb> ();
2536 4254
2537=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 4255=item w->set (loop)
2538 4256
2539Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 4257Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2540do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 4258do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2541 4259
2542=item w->set ([args]) 4260=item w->set ([arguments])
2543 4261
2544Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 4262Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set> (except for C<ev::embed> watchers>),
4263with the same arguments. Either this method or a suitable start method
2545called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 4264must be called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher
2546automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 4265gets automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2547method. 4266method.
4267
4268For C<ev::embed> watchers this method is called C<set_embed>, to avoid
4269clashing with the C<set (loop)> method.
4270
4271For C<ev::io> watchers there is an additional C<set> method that acepts a
4272new event mask only, and internally calls C<ev_io_modfify>.
2548 4273
2549=item w->start () 4274=item w->start ()
2550 4275
2551Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the 4276Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2552constructor already stores the event loop. 4277constructor already stores the event loop.
2553 4278
4279=item w->start ([arguments])
4280
4281Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
4282convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
4283the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
4284
2554=item w->stop () 4285=item w->stop ()
2555 4286
2556Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 4287Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2557 4288
2558=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only) 4289=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
2570 4301
2571=back 4302=back
2572 4303
2573=back 4304=back
2574 4305
2575Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 4306Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2576the constructor. 4307watchers in the constructor.
2577 4308
2578 class myclass 4309 class myclass
2579 { 4310 {
2580 ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4311 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
4312 ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2581 ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 4313 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2582 4314
2583 myclass (int fd) 4315 myclass (int fd)
2584 { 4316 {
2585 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 4317 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
4318 io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2586 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 4319 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2587 4320
2588 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 4321 io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
4322 io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
4323
4324 io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2589 } 4325 }
2590 }; 4326 };
2591 4327
2592 4328
2593=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS 4329=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2594 4330
2595Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a 4331Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2596numbe rof languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know 4332number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2597any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop 4333any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2598me a note. 4334me a note.
2599 4335
2600=over 4 4336=over 4
2601 4337
2602=item Perl 4338=item Perl
2603 4339
2604The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test 4340The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2605libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module, 4341libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2606there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces 4342there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2607to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the 4343to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
2608C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>). 4344C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
4345and C<EV::Glib>).
2609 4346
2610It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is found at 4347It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2611L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>. 4348L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2612 4349
4350=item Python
4351
4352Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
4353seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
4354
2613=item Ruby 4355=item Ruby
2614 4356
2615Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset 4357Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2616of the libev API and adds filehandle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 4358of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2617more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at 4359more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2618L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 4360L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2619 4361
4362Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
4363makes rev work even on mingw.
4364
4365=item Haskell
4366
4367A haskell binding to libev is available at
4368L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
4369
2620=item D 4370=item D
2621 4371
2622Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 4372Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2623be found at L<http://git.llucax.com.ar/?p=software/ev.d.git;a=summary>. 4373be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
4374
4375=item Ocaml
4376
4377Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
4378L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
4379
4380=item Lua
4381
4382Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
4383time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
4384L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
4385
4386=item Javascript
4387
4388Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
4389
4390=item Others
4391
4392There are others, and I stopped counting.
2624 4393
2625=back 4394=back
2626 4395
2627 4396
2628=head1 MACRO MAGIC 4397=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2629 4398
2630Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamantal 4399Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
2631of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) 4400of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
2632functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 4401functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2633 4402
2634To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 4403To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2635following macros are defined: 4404following macros are defined:
2640 4409
2641This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 4410This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2642loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 4411loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2643C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 4412C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2644 4413
2645 ev_unref (EV_A); 4414 ev_unref (EV_A);
2646 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 4415 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2647 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 4416 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2648 4417
2649It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 4418It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2650which is often provided by the following macro. 4419which is often provided by the following macro.
2651 4420
2652=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 4421=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2653 4422
2654This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 4423This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2655loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 4424loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2656C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 4425C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2657 4426
2658 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 4427 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
2659 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 4428 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2660 4429
2661 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 4430 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
2662 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 4431 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2663 4432
2664It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 4433It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2665suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 4434suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2666 4435
2667=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 4436=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2668 4437
2669Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 4438Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2670loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 4439loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
4440will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
4441
4442For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
4443to initialise the loop somewhere.
2671 4444
2672=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_> 4445=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
2673 4446
2674Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the 4447Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
2675default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour 4448default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
2683 4456
2684Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above 4457Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2685macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported 4458macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2686or not. 4459or not.
2687 4460
2688 static void 4461 static void
2689 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 4462 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2690 { 4463 {
2691 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 4464 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2692 } 4465 }
2693 4466
2694 ev_check check; 4467 ev_check check;
2695 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 4468 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2696 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 4469 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2697 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 4470 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2698 4471
2699=head1 EMBEDDING 4472=head1 EMBEDDING
2700 4473
2701Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 4474Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2702applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 4475applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
2709libev somewhere in your source tree). 4482libev somewhere in your source tree).
2710 4483
2711=head2 FILESETS 4484=head2 FILESETS
2712 4485
2713Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 4486Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2714in your app. 4487in your application.
2715 4488
2716=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 4489=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2717 4490
2718To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 4491To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2719configuration (no autoconf): 4492configuration (no autoconf):
2720 4493
2721 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 4494 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2722 #include "ev.c" 4495 #include "ev.c"
2723 4496
2724This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 4497This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2725single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 4498single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2726it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 4499it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2727done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 4500done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2728where you can put other configuration options): 4501where you can put other configuration options):
2729 4502
2730 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 4503 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2731 #include "ev.h" 4504 #include "ev.h"
2732 4505
2733Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 4506Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2734compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 4507compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2735as a bug). 4508as a bug).
2736 4509
2737You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 4510You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2738in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 4511in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2739 4512
2740 ev.h 4513 ev.h
2741 ev.c 4514 ev.c
2742 ev_vars.h 4515 ev_vars.h
2743 ev_wrap.h 4516 ev_wrap.h
2744 4517
2745 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 4518 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2746 4519
2747 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 4520 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled
2748 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4521 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled
2749 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4522 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled
4523 ev_linuxaio.c only when the linux aio backend is enabled
4524 ev_iouring.c only when the linux io_uring backend is enabled
2750 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4525 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled
2751 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4526 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled
2752 4527
2753F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 4528F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2754to compile this single file. 4529to compile this single file.
2755 4530
2756=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 4531=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2757 4532
2758To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 4533To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2759 4534
2760 #include "event.c" 4535 #include "event.c"
2761 4536
2762in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 4537in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2763 4538
2764 #include "event.h" 4539 #include "event.h"
2765 4540
2766in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 4541in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2767 4542
2768You need the following additional files for this: 4543You need the following additional files for this:
2769 4544
2770 event.h 4545 event.h
2771 event.c 4546 event.c
2772 4547
2773=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 4548=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2774 4549
2775Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 4550Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
2776whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 4551whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2777F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 4552F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2778include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 4553include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2779 4554
2780For this of course you need the m4 file: 4555For this of course you need the m4 file:
2781 4556
2782 libev.m4 4557 libev.m4
2783 4558
2784=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 4559=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2785 4560
2786Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to 4561Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2787define before including any of its files. The default in the absense of 4562define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2788autoconf is noted for every option. 4563the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
4564
4565Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
4566values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
4567to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
4568to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
4569users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
4570settings.
2789 4571
2790=over 4 4572=over 4
2791 4573
4574=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
4575
4576Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
4577release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
4578have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
4579
4580You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
4581versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
4582sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
4583from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
4584typedef in that case.
4585
4586In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
4587and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
4588removed completely.
4589
2792=item EV_STANDALONE 4590=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2793 4591
2794Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 4592Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2795keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 4593keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2796implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 4594implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2797supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4595supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2798F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4596F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2799 4597
4598In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
4599configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4600
4601=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4602
4603If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4604periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4605portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4606link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4607function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4608this.
4609
2800=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4610=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2801 4611
2802If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4612If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2803monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 4613monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2804of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 4614use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2805usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 4615you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2806the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 4616when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2807to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 4617to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2808function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 4618function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2809 4619
2810=item EV_USE_REALTIME 4620=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2811 4621
2812If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4622If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2813realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 4623real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2814runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 4624at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2815be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 4625option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2816(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 4626by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2817note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 4627correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
4628C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
4629C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
4630
4631=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
4632
4633If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
4634of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
4635exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
4636unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
4637programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
4638theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
4639the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
4640higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2818 4641
2819=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 4642=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2820 4643
2821If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 4644If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2822and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 4645and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2827available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve 4650available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
2828C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption. 4651C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
2829If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 4652If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
28302.7 or newer, otherwise disabled. 46532.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2831 4654
4655=item EV_USE_SIGNALFD
4656
4657If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<signalfd ()> is
4658available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This enables
4659the use of EVFLAG_SIGNALFD for faster and simpler signal handling. If
4660undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
46612.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4662
4663=item EV_USE_TIMERFD
4664
4665If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<timerfd ()> is
4666available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This allows
4667libev to detect time jumps accurately. If undefined, it will be enabled
4668if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.8 or newer and define
4669C<TFD_TIMER_CANCEL_ON_SET>, otherwise disabled.
4670
4671=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
4672
4673If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
4674available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
4675C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
4676If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
46772.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4678
2832=item EV_USE_SELECT 4679=item EV_USE_SELECT
2833 4680
2834If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 4681If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2835C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 4682C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2836other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 4683other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2837will not be compiled in. 4684will not be compiled in.
2838 4685
2839=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 4686=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2840 4687
2841If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 4688If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2842structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 4689structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2843C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 4690C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2844exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 4691on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2845low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 4692some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2846allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 4693only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2847influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 4694configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2848 4695
2849=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 4696=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2850 4697
2851When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 4698When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2852select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 4699select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
2854be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 4701be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2855C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 4702C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2856it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 4703it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2857on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 4704on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2858 4705
2859=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE 4706=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
2860 4707
2861If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map 4708If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2862file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the 4709file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2863default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually 4710default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2864correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management, 4711correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2865in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles. 4712in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
2866 4713
4714=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
4715
4716If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
4717using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
4718their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
4719to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
4720
4721=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
4722
4723If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
4724macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
4725file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
4726the underlying OS handle.
4727
4728=item EV_USE_WSASOCKET
4729
4730If defined to be C<1>, libev will use C<WSASocket> to create its internal
4731communication socket, which works better in some environments. Otherwise,
4732the normal C<socket> function will be used, which works better in other
4733environments.
4734
2867=item EV_USE_POLL 4735=item EV_USE_POLL
2868 4736
2869If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 4737If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2870backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 4738backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2871takes precedence over select. 4739takes precedence over select.
2875If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 4743If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2876C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 4744C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2877otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 4745otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2878backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the 4746backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
2879headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4747headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4748
4749=item EV_USE_LINUXAIO
4750
4751If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux aio
4752backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). If undefined, it will be
4753enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
4754
4755=item EV_USE_IOURING
4756
4757If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
4758io_uring backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). Due to it's
4759current limitations it has to be requested explicitly. If undefined, it
4760will be enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
2880 4761
2881=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 4762=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2882 4763
2883If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 4764If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2884C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 4765C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2897otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 4778otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2898backend for Solaris 10 systems. 4779backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2899 4780
2900=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 4781=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2901 4782
2902reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 4783Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2903 4784
2904=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 4785=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2905 4786
2906If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4787If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2907interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4788interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2908be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4789be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
2909indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4790indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2910 4791
4792=item EV_NO_SMP
4793
4794If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4795between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4796different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4797and makes libev faster.
4798
4799=item EV_NO_THREADS
4800
4801If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called from
4802different threads (that includes signal handlers), which is a stronger
4803assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>, above. This reduces dependencies and makes
4804libev faster.
4805
2911=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4806=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2912 4807
2913Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4808Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2914access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 4809access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No
2915type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 4810such type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own
2916that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 4811type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal
2917as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4812handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async>
4813watchers.
2918 4814
2919In the absense of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4815In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2920(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4816(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2921 4817
2922=item EV_H 4818=item EV_H (h)
2923 4819
2924The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 4820The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2925undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 4821undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2926used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 4822used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2927 4823
2928=item EV_CONFIG_H 4824=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
2929 4825
2930If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 4826If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2931F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 4827F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2932C<EV_H>, above. 4828C<EV_H>, above.
2933 4829
2934=item EV_EVENT_H 4830=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
2935 4831
2936Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 4832Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2937of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">. 4833of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2938 4834
2939=item EV_PROTOTYPES 4835=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
2940 4836
2941If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 4837If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2942prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 4838prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2943occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions 4839occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2944around libev functions. 4840around libev functions.
2949will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 4845will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2950additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 4846additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2951for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 4847for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2952argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 4848argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2953 4849
4850Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
4851default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
4852initialise the loop manually in this case.
4853
2954=item EV_MINPRI 4854=item EV_MINPRI
2955 4855
2956=item EV_MAXPRI 4856=item EV_MAXPRI
2957 4857
2958The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to 4858The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
2963When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search 4863When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2964all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space 4864all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2965and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually 4865and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2966fine. 4866fine.
2967 4867
2968If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to 4868If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2969C<0> will save some memory and cpu. 4869both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2970 4870
2971=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 4871=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
4872EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
4873EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
2972 4874
2973If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 4875If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
2974defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 4876the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
2975code. 4877is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
2976 4878
2977=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE 4879=item EV_FEATURES
2978
2979If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2980defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2981code.
2982
2983=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2984
2985If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2986defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2987
2988=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2989
2990If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2991defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2992
2993=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2994
2995If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2996defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2997
2998=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
2999
3000If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3001defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3002
3003=item EV_MINIMAL
3004 4880
3005If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 4881If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3006speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some 4882speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3007inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. It also selects a 4883certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3008much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap. 4884that can be enabled on the platform.
4885
4886A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
4887with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
4888additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
4889but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
4890backend, use this:
4891
4892 #define EV_FEATURES 0
4893 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
4894 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4895 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4896 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4897
4898The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4899values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4900
4901=over 4
4902
4903=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4904
4905Use larger code to speed up some operations.
4906
4907Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
4908code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4909
4910When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4911gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4912assertions.
4913
4914The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4915(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4916
4917=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4918
4919Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4920hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4921and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4922runtime.
4923
4924The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4925(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4926
4927=item C<4> - full API configuration
4928
4929This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4930enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4931
4932=item C<8> - full API
4933
4934This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
4935details on which parts of the API are still available without this
4936feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
4937
4938=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
4939
4940Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
4941only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
4942embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
4943C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
4944
4945=item C<32> - enable all backends
4946
4947This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
4948least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
4949
4950=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
4951
4952Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
4953default.
4954
4955=back
4956
4957Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
4958reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
4959code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
4960watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
4961
4962With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4963when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4964your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4965I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4966
4967=item EV_API_STATIC
4968
4969If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
4970will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
4971identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
4972when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4973and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4974
4975To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4976wants to use libev.
4977
4978This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4979doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4980
4981=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4982
4983If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4984functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4985somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
4986libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
4987big.
4988
4989Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
4990enabled.
4991
4992=item EV_NSIG
4993
4994The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
4995signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
4996automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
4997specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
4998good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
4999statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3009 5000
3010=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 5001=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3011 5002
3012C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 5003C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3013pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 5004pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3014than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 5005usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3015increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 5006might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3016 5007
3017=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 5008=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3018 5009
3019C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 5010C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3020inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 5011inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3021usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 5012disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3022watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 5013C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3023two). 5014power of two).
3024 5015
3025=item EV_USE_4HEAP 5016=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3026 5017
3027Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 5018Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3028timer and periodics heap, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined 5019timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3029to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has 5020to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3030noticably faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers. 5021faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3031 5022
3032The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 5023The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3033(disabled). 5024will be C<0>.
3034 5025
3035=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT 5026=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3036 5027
3037Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 5028Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3038timer and periodics heap, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within 5029timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3039the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>), 5030the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3040which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code, 5031which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3041but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance 5032but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3042noticably with with many (hundreds) of watchers. 5033noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3043 5034
3044The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 5035The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3045(disabled). 5036will be C<0>.
3046 5037
3047=item EV_VERIFY 5038=item EV_VERIFY
3048 5039
3049Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will 5040Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3050be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled 5041be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3051in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not 5042in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3052called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be 5043called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3053called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the 5044called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3054verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down 5045verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3055libev considerably. 5046libev considerably.
3056 5047
5048Verification errors are reported via C's C<assert> mechanism, so if you
5049disable that (e.g. by defining C<NDEBUG>) then no errors will be reported.
5050
3057The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be 5051The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3058C<0.> 5052will be C<0>.
3059 5053
3060=item EV_COMMON 5054=item EV_COMMON
3061 5055
3062By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 5056By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3063this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 5057this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3064members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 5058members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3065though, and it must be identical each time. 5059though, and it must be identical each time.
3066 5060
3067For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 5061For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3068 5062
3069 #define EV_COMMON \ 5063 #define EV_COMMON \
3070 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 5064 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
3071 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 5065 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
3072 5066
3073=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 5067=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
3074 5068
3075=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 5069=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
3076 5070
3081definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for 5075definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
3082their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 5076their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
3083avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 5077avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
3084method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 5078method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3085 5079
5080=back
5081
3086=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS 5082=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3087 5083
3088If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a dll) and you need a list of 5084If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3089exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list 5085exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3090all public symbols, one per line: 5086all public symbols, one per line:
3091 5087
3092 Symbols.ev for libev proper 5088 Symbols.ev for libev proper
3093 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation 5089 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3094 5090
3095This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with 5091This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3096multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in 5092multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3097itself, but sometimes it is inconvinient to avoid this). 5093itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3098 5094
3099A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to 5095A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3100include before including F<ev.h>: 5096include before including F<ev.h>:
3101 5097
3102 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h 5098 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
3119file. 5115file.
3120 5116
3121The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 5117The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3122that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 5118that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3123 5119
3124 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 5120 #define EV_FEATURES 8
3125 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 5121 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3126 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3127 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 5122 #define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
5123 #define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3128 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 5124 #define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3129 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 5125 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
5126 #define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3130 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 5127 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3131 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3132 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
3133 5128
3134 #include "ev++.h" 5129 #include "ev++.h"
3135 5130
3136And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 5131And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3137 5132
3138 #include "ev_cpp.h" 5133 #include "ev_cpp.h"
3139 #include "ev.c" 5134 #include "ev.c"
3140 5135
5136=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
3141 5137
3142=head1 THREADS AND COROUTINES 5138=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3143 5139
3144=head2 THREADS 5140=head3 THREADS
3145 5141
3146Libev itself is completely threadsafe, but it uses no locking. This 5142All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
5143documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
3147means that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as 5144that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
3148only one thread ever calls into one libev function with the same loop 5145are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
3149parameter. 5146parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
5147of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
5148structures that need any locking.
3150 5149
3151Or put differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done in 5150Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
3152parallel from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter must be 5151concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
3153done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as only one 5152must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
3154thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using a mutex 5153only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
3155per loop). 5154a mutex per loop).
3156 5155
3157If you want to know which design is best for your problem, then I cannot 5156Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
5157so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
5158concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
5159outside".
5160
5161If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
5162without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3158help you but by giving some generic advice: 5163help you, but here is some generic advice:
3159 5164
3160=over 4 5165=over 4
3161 5166
3162=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop 5167=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3163in that thread, or create a seperate thread running only the default loop. 5168in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3164 5169
3165This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev 5170This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3166themselves and don't care/know about threading. 5171themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3167 5172
3168=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model. 5173=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3169 5174
3170Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model 5175Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3171exists, but it is always a good start. 5176exists, but it is always a good start.
3172 5177
3173=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one 5178=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3174loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robbin fashion. 5179loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3175 5180
3176Chosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you cna do 5181Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3177better than you currently do :-) 5182better than you currently do :-)
3178 5183
3179=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the 5184=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
5185event loop.
5186
3180event loop - C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other 5187C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
3181threads safely (or from signal contexts...). 5188(or from signal contexts...).
5189
5190An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
5191work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
5192default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
5193watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3182 5194
3183=back 5195=back
3184 5196
5197See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
5198
3185=head2 COROUTINES 5199=head3 COROUTINES
3186 5200
3187Libev is much more accomodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 5201Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3188libev fully supports nesting calls to it's functions from different 5202libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3189coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 5203coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
3190different coroutines and switch freely between both coroutines running the 5204different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
3191loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that 5205the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
3192you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 5206that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3193 5207
3194Care has been invested into making sure that libev does not keep local 5208Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3195state inside C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow coroutine 5209C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3196switches. 5210they do not call any callbacks.
3197 5211
5212=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3198 5213
3199=head1 COMPLEXITIES 5214Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
5215lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
5216scared by this.
3200 5217
3201In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 5218However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3202libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 5219has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3203documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 5220warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
5221targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3204 5222
3205All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be 5223Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3206extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this 5224workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3207happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might 5225maintainable.
3208mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
3209it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3210 5226
3211=over 4 5227And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
5228wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
5229seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
5230warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
5231been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
5232such buggy versions.
3212 5233
3213=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 5234While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
5235"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
5236with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
5237them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
5238warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3214 5239
3215This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3216there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
3217have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3218 5240
3219=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 5241=head2 VALGRIND
3220 5242
3221That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 5243Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3222as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for. 5244highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3223 5245
3224=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1) 5246If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
5247in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3225 5248
3226These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. 5249 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
5250 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
5251 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3227 5252
3228=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1) 5253Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
5254is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3229 5255
3230=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 5256Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
5257as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
5258although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
5259confused.
3231 5260
3232These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 5261Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
3233correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 5262make it into some kind of religion.
3234have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
3235 5263
3236=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1) 5264If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
5265with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
5266is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
5267annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
5268of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
3237 5269
3238By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a 5270If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3239fixed position in the storage array. 5271I suggest using suppression lists.
3240 5272
3241=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
3242 5273
3243A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires 5274=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3244libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3245on backend and wether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3246 5275
3247=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1) 5276=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
3248 5277
3249=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 5278GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
5279interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
3250 5280
3251Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 5281That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
3252priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 5282files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
3253linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3254watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3255 5283
3256=item Sending an ev_async: O(1) 5284Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
5285by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
5286standard libev compiled for their system.
3257 5287
3258=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers) 5288Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
5289suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
5290i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
3259 5291
3260=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number) 5292=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
3261 5293
3262Sending involves a syscall I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send> 5294The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
3263calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events 5295you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
3264involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5296OpenGL drivers.
3265 5297
3266=back 5298=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
3267 5299
5300The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
5301only sockets, many support pipes.
3268 5302
3269=head1 Win32 platform limitations and workarounds 5303Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
5304rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
5305loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
5306probably going to work well.
5307
5308=head3 C<poll> is buggy
5309
5310Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
5311implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
5312release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
5313
5314Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
5315this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
5316a loop.
5317
5318=head3 C<select> is buggy
5319
5320All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
5321one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
5322descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
5323you use more.
5324
5325There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
5326C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
5327work on OS/X.
5328
5329=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
5330
5331=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
5332
5333The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
5334thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
5335without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
5336defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
5337
5338If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
5339it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
5340
5341=head3 Event port backend
5342
5343The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
5344ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
5345releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
5346a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
5347and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
5348are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
5349great.
5350
5351If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
5352the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
5353C<select> backends.
5354
5355=head2 AIX POLL BUG
5356
5357AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
5358this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
5359compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
5360with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
5361
5362=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
5363
5364=head3 General issues
3270 5365
3271Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev 5366Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3272requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 5367requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3273model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 5368model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3274the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 5369the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3275descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 5370descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3276e.g. cygwin. 5371e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
5372as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
5373environment.
3277 5374
3278Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 5375Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3279re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of 5376re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
3280things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable 5377then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
3281way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man). 5378also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3282 5379
3283There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 5380There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3284embedding it into other applications. 5381embedding it into other applications.
5382
5383Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
5384tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
5385
5386Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
5387accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
5388either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
5389so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
5390megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
5391available).
3285 5392
3286Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and 5393Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3287the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets 5394the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3288is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use 5395is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3289more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally 5396more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3290different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness 5397different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3291notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows 5398notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3292(microsoft monopoly games). 5399(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3293 5400
3294=over 4 5401A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
5402section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
5403of F<ev.h>:
3295 5404
5405 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
5406 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
5407
5408 #include "ev.h"
5409
5410And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
5411you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
5412
5413 #include "evwrap.h"
5414 #include "ev.c"
5415
3296=item The winsocket select function 5416=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3297 5417
3298The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it requires 5418The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3299socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors>. This makes select 5419requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3300very inefficient, and also requires a mapping from file descriptors 5420also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3301to socket handles. See the discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, 5421requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3302C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor 5422C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3303symbols for more info. 5423discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
5424C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3304 5425
3305The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the microsoft runtime 5426The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3306libraries and raw winsocket select is: 5427libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3307 5428
3308 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1 5429 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3309 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */ 5430 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3310 5431
3311Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a 5432Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3312complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32. 5433complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3313 5434
3314=item Limited number of file descriptors 5435=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3315 5436
3316Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. 5437Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3317 5438
3318Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum 5439Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3319of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels 5440of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3320can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; microsoft 5441can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3321recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the 5442recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3322previous thread in each. Great). 5443previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3323 5444
3324Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE> 5445Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3325to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select 5446to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3326call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own 5447call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3327select emulation on windows). 5448other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3328 5449
3329Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the microsoft runtime 5450Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3330libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish 5451libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3331or something like this inside microsoft). You can increase this by calling 5452fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3332C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another 5453by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3333arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the microsoft runtime 5454(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3334libraries.
3335
3336This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on 5455runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3337windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to 5456(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3338wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of 5457you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3339calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 5458the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3340 5459
3341=back
3342
3343
3344=head1 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS 5460=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3345 5461
3346In addition to a working ISO-C implementation, libev relies on a few 5462In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3347additional extensions: 5463backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3348 5464
3349=over 4 5465=over 4
3350 5466
5467=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
5468calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
5469
5470Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
5471structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
5472assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
5473callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
5474calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
5475
5476=item null pointers and integer zero are represented by 0 bytes
5477
5478Libev uses C<memset> to initialise structs and arrays to C<0> bytes, and
5479relies on this setting pointers and integers to null.
5480
5481=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
5482
5483Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
5484writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
5485
3351=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well 5486=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3352 5487
3353The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as 5488The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3354C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic w.r.t. accesses from different 5489C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
3355threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is 5490threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3356believed to be sufficiently portable. 5491believed to be sufficiently portable.
3357 5492
3358=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment 5493=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3359 5494
3363thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would 5498thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3364be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and 5499be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3365C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however. 5500C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3366 5501
3367The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads 5502The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3368except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as 5503except the initial one, and run the signal handling loop in the initial
3369well. 5504thread as well.
3370 5505
3371=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes 5506=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3372 5507
3373To improve portability and simplify using libev, libev uses C<long> 5508To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
3374internally instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On 5509instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
3375non-POSIX systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but 5510systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
3376is still at least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of 5511least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
3377millions of watchers. 5512watchers.
3378 5513
3379=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy 5514=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3380 5515
3381The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5516The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3382have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good 5517have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
3383enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by 5518good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
5519(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
3384implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones). 5520implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
5521
5522With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
5523year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
5524is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
5525something like that, just kidding).
3385 5526
3386=back 5527=back
3387 5528
3388If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5529If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3389 5530
3390 5531
3391=head1 VALGRIND 5532=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
3392 5533
3393Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is 5534In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
3394highly useful, but valgrind reports are very hard to interpret. 5535libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
5536the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
3395 5537
3396If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.) 5538All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
3397in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like: 5539extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
5540happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
5541mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
5542average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3398 5543
3399 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 5544=over 4
3400 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3401 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3402 5545
3403then there is no memory leak. Similarly, under some circumstances, 5546=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
3404valgrind might report kernel bugs as if it were a bug in libev, or it
3405might be confused (it is a very good tool, but only a tool).
3406 5547
3407If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list 5548This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3408with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this is 5549there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
3409a bug in libev. However, don't be annoyed when you get a brisk "this is 5550have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3410no bug" answer and take the chance of learning how to interpret valgrind
3411properly.
3412 5551
3413If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project 5552=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
3414I suggest using suppression lists.
3415 5553
5554That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
5555as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
5556
5557=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
5558
5559These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
5560
5561=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
5562
5563=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
5564
5565These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
5566correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
5567have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
5568is rare).
5569
5570=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
5571
5572By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
5573fixed position in the storage array.
5574
5575=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
5576
5577A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
5578libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
5579on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
5580
5581=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
5582
5583=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
5584
5585Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
5586priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
5587linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
5588watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
5589
5590=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
5591
5592=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
5593
5594=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
5595
5596Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
5597calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
5598blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
5599running async watchers or all signal numbers.
5600
5601=back
5602
5603
5604=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
5605
5606The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
5607
5608At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
5609for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
5610layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
5611new API early than late.
5612
5613=over 4
5614
5615=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
5616
5617The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5618C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</"PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS"> in the L</EMBEDDING>
5619section.
5620
5621=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5622
5623These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
5624
5625 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
5626 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
5627
5628=item function/symbol renames
5629
5630A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
5631
5632 ev_loop => ev_run
5633 EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
5634 EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
5635
5636 ev_unloop => ev_break
5637 EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
5638 EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
5639 EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
5640
5641 EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
5642
5643 ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
5644 ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
5645 ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
5646
5647Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
5648C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
5649associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
5650ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
5651as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
5652C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
5653typedef.
5654
5655=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
5656
5657The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
5658mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
5659and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
5660
5661=back
5662
5663
5664=head1 GLOSSARY
5665
5666=over 4
5667
5668=item active
5669
5670A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
5671See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5672
5673=item application
5674
5675In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
5676
5677=item backend
5678
5679The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
5680
5681=item callback
5682
5683The address of a function that is called when some event has been
5684detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
5685received the event, and the actual event bitset.
5686
5687=item callback/watcher invocation
5688
5689The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
5690
5691=item event
5692
5693A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
5694for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
5695any other events happening anymore.
5696
5697In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
5698C<EV_TIMER>).
5699
5700=item event library
5701
5702A software package implementing an event model and loop.
5703
5704=item event loop
5705
5706An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
5707into callback invocations.
5708
5709=item event model
5710
5711The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
5712watchers and events.
5713
5714=item pending
5715
5716A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
5717detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5718
5719=item real time
5720
5721The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
5722
5723=item wall-clock time
5724
5725The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
5726be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
5727clock.
5728
5729=item watcher
5730
5731A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
5732to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
5733
5734=back
3416 5735
3417=head1 AUTHOR 5736=head1 AUTHOR
3418 5737
3419Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 5738Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5739Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
3420 5740

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