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39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without 39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without
40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial 40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial
41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) 41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>)
42will not have this argument. 42will not have this argument.
43 43
44=head1 TIME AND OTHER GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 44=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION
45 45
46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
48the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 48the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
50to the double type in C. 50to the double type in C.
51 51
52=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
53
54These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
55library in any way.
56
52=over 4 57=over 4
53 58
54=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 59=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
55 60
56Returns the current time as libev would use it. 61Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
62C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
63you actually want to know.
57 64
58=item int ev_version_major () 65=item int ev_version_major ()
59 66
60=item int ev_version_minor () 67=item int ev_version_minor ()
61 68
99An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 106An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two
100types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 107types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child
101events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 108events, and dynamically created loops which do not.
102 109
103If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop 110If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
104in your main thread (or in a separate thrad) and for each thread you 111in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you
105create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking 112create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
106whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different 113whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
107threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if 114threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
108done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient). 115done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
109 116
236 243
237=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 244=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
238 245
239Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 246Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
240has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 247has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
241C<EVUNLOOP_ONCE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 248C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
242C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 249C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
243 250
244=item ev_ref (loop) 251=item ev_ref (loop)
245 252
246=item ev_unref (loop) 253=item ev_unref (loop)
412in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 419in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
413level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 420level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
414condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 421condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
415act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 422act on the event and neither want to receive future events).
416 423
417In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 424In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
418fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 425fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
419descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 426descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
420required if you know what you are doing). 427required if you know what you are doing).
421 428
422You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 429You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
423(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 430(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
424descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 431descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
425to the same file/socket etc. description. 432to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share
433the same underlying "file open").
426 434
427If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 435If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
428(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and 436(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and
429EVMETHOD_POLL). 437EVMETHOD_POLL).
430 438
444 452
445Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 453Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
446given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 454given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
447 455
448The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 456The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
449times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 457times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years
450time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 458time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
451detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 459detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
452monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 460monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
453 461
454The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 462The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
455time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 463time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
456of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 464of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
457you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout 465you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout
458ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 466on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
459 467
460 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 468 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
461 469
462=over 4 470=over 4
463 471
471later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 479later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
472 480
473The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 481The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you
474configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 482configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
475exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 483exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
476the timer (ecause it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 484the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
477timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 485timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
478 486
479=item ev_timer_again (loop) 487=item ev_timer_again (loop)
480 488
481This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 489This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
558In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 566In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
559ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 567ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
560reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 568reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
561current time as second argument. 569current time as second argument.
562 570
563NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy the periodic or any other 571NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
564periodic watcher, ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need 572ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,
565to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards. 573return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
566 574starting a prepare watcher).
567Also, I<< this callback must always return a time that is later than the
568passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will be ok.
569 575
570Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 576Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
571ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 577ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
572 578
573 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 579 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
578It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 584It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
579(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 585(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
580will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 586will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
581might be called at other times, too. 587might be called at other times, too.
582 588
589NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the
590passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.
591
583This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 592This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
584triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 593triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the
585next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How you do this 594next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
586is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial). 595you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
596reason I omitted it as an example).
587 597
588=back 598=back
589 599
590=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 600=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
591 601
670=back 680=back
671 681
672=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 682=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop
673 683
674Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 684Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
675Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 685prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
676afterwards. 686afterwards.
677 687
678Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 688Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This
679could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 689could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own
680watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more. 690watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.
683to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 693to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
684them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 694them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
685provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 695provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
686any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 696any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
687and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 697and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
688callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles, 698callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
689because you never know, you know?). 699because you never know, you know?).
690 700
691As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 701As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
692coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 702coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
693during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 703during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
694are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines 704are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
695with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once, 705with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
696using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority 706of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
697coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background 707loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
698tasks). 708low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
699 709
700=over 4 710=over 4
701 711
702=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 712=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
703 713
718=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 728=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
719 729
720This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 730This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
721callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 731callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
722watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 732watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
723or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 733or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
724more watchers yourself. 734more watchers yourself.
725 735
726If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 736If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
727is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 737is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
728C<events> set will be craeted and started. 738C<events> set will be craeted and started.
731started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 741started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
732repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 742repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
733dubious value. 743dubious value.
734 744
735The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 745The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
736passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of 746passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
737C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 747C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
738value passed to C<ev_once>: 748value passed to C<ev_once>:
739 749
740 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 750 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
741 { 751 {
762 772
763Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 773Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).
764 774
765=back 775=back
766 776
777=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
778
779Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
780emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
781
782=over 4
783
784=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
785
786=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
787ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
788
789=item * Avoid using ev_flags and the EVLIST_*-macros, while it is
790maintained by libev, it does not work exactly the same way as in libevent (consider
791it a private API).
792
793=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
794will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
795is an ev_pri field.
796
797=item * Other members are not supported.
798
799=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
800to use the libev header file and library.
801
802=back
803
804=head1 C++ SUPPORT
805
806TBD.
807
767=head1 AUTHOR 808=head1 AUTHOR
768 809
769Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 810Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
770 811

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