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Revision 1.58 by root, Wed Nov 28 11:31:34 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.174 by root, Mon Aug 18 23:23:45 2008 UTC

2 2
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required
11 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
12 13
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_<type>
13 ev_io stdin_watcher; 16 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 17 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15 18
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */ 19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17 static void 21 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19 { 23 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */ 24 puts ("stdin ready");
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */ 25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */ 26 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23 } 31 }
24 32
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out
25 static void 34 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 { 36 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */ 37 puts ("timeout");
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */ 38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30 } 40 }
31 41
32 int 42 int
33 main (void) 43 main (void)
34 { 44 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 46 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36 47
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */ 48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40 52
53 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */ 54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44 57
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */ 58 // now wait for events to arrive
46 ev_loop (loop, 0); 59 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47 60
61 // unloop was called, so exit
48 return 0; 62 return 0;
49 } 63 }
50 64
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 65=head1 DESCRIPTION
52 66
67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
70
53Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 71Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
54file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
55these event sources and provide your program with events. 73these event sources and provide your program with events.
56 74
57To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process 75To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
58(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then 76(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
59communicate events via a callback mechanism. 77communicate events via a callback mechanism.
61You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event 79You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
62watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the 80watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
63details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 81details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
64watcher. 82watcher.
65 83
66=head1 FEATURES 84=head2 FEATURES
67 85
68Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 86Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
69BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 87BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
70for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
71(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
78 96
79It also is quite fast (see this 97It also is quite fast (see this
80L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
81for example). 99for example).
82 100
83=head1 CONVENTIONS 101=head2 CONVENTIONS
84 102
85Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
86be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
87various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 105more info about various configuration options please have a look at
88this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
89loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
90(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument. 108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument.
91 110
92=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
93 112
94Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
95(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
96the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
97called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
98to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
99it, you should treat it as such. 118it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name
119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences
120throughout libev.
121
122=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123
124Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125and internal errors (bugs).
126
127When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
128a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
129set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
130abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
131()>.
132
133When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
134it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
135so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
136the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
137
138Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
139extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
140circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
141
100 142
101=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 143=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
102 144
103These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 145These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
104library in any way. 146library in any way.
109 151
110Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 152Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
111C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 153C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
112you actually want to know. 154you actually want to know.
113 155
156=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
157
158Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
159either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
160this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
161
114=item int ev_version_major () 162=item int ev_version_major ()
115 163
116=item int ev_version_minor () 164=item int ev_version_minor ()
117 165
118You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 166You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
119you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 167you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
120C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 168C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
121symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 169symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
122version of the library your program was compiled against. 170version of the library your program was compiled against.
123 171
172These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
173release version.
174
124Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 175Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
125as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 176as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
126compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 177compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
127not a problem. 178not a problem.
128 179
129Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
130version. 181version.
131 182
132 assert (("libev version mismatch", 183 assert (("libev version mismatch",
133 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
134 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
135 186
136=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 187=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
137 188
138Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 189Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
139value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 190value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
141a description of the set values. 192a description of the set values.
142 193
143Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 194Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
144a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11 195a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
145 196
146 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
147 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
148 199
149=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
150 201
151Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 202Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
152recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
153returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 204returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
154most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
155(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 206(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
156libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
157 208
158=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
159 210
163C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
164recommended ones. 215recommended ones.
165 216
166See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
167 218
168=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, size_t size)) 219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
169 220
170Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype and semantics are 221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
171identical to the realloc C function). It is used to allocate and free 222semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
172memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory needs to be 223used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
173allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially destructive 224when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
174action. The default is your system realloc function. 225or take some potentially destructive action.
226
227Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
228correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
229C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
175 230
176You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 231You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
177free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 232free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
178or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 233or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
179 234
180Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 235Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
181retries). 236retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
182 237
183 static void * 238 static void *
184 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 239 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
185 { 240 {
186 for (;;) 241 for (;;)
197 ... 252 ...
198 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
199 254
200=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg));
201 256
202Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 257Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
203as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
204indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
205callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 260callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
206matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 261matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
207requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 262requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
208(such as abort). 263(such as abort).
209 264
210Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 265Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
224=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
225 280
226An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 281An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two
227types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 282types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child
228events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 283events, and dynamically created loops which do not.
229
230If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop
231in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you
232create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking
233whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
234threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
235done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
236 284
237=over 4 285=over 4
238 286
239=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 287=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
240 288
244flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 292flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
245 293
246If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 294If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
247function. 295function.
248 296
297Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
298from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
299as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway).
300
301The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
302C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
303for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
304create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
305can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
306C<ev_default_init>.
307
249The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 308The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
250backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 309backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
251 310
252The following flags are supported: 311The following flags are supported:
253 312
258The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 317The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
259thing, believe me). 318thing, believe me).
260 319
261=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 320=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
262 321
263If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 322If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
264or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 323or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
265C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 324C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
266override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 325override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
267useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 326useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
268around bugs. 327around bugs.
269 328
329=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
330
331Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after
332a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by
333enabling this flag.
334
335This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
336and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
337iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
338GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
339without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
340C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
341
342The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
343forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
344flag.
345
346This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
347environment variable.
348
270=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 349=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
271 350
272This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 351This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
273libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 352libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
274but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 353but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
275using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually 354using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
276the fastest backend for a low number of fds. 355usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
356
357To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
358parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
359writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
360connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
361a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
362readiness notifications you get per iteration.
277 363
278=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 364=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
279 365
280And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 366And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
281select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 367than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
282number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a 368limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
283lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds). 369considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
370i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
371performance tips.
284 372
285=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 373=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
286 374
287For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 375For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
288but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 376but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
289O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales 377like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
290either O(1) or O(active_fds). 378epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number
379of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
380cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad
381support for dup.
291 382
292While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 383While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
293result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 384will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident
294(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 385(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
295best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very 386best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work
296well if you register events for both fds. 387very well if you register events for both fds.
297 388
298Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 389Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
299need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 390need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
300(or space) is available. 391(or space) is available.
301 392
393Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
394watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, i.e.
395keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times.
396
397While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
398all kernel versions tested so far.
399
302=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 400=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
303 401
304Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 402Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
305was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 403was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
306anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 404with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
307completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 405it's completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected"
308unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 406unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
309C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 407C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
408system like NetBSD.
409
410You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
411only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
412the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
310 413
311It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 414It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
312kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 415kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
313course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 416course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
314extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per 417cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
315incident, so its best to avoid that. 418two event changes per incident, support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it
419drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
420
421This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
422
423While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
424everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
425almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
426(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
427(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and using it only for
428sockets.
316 429
317=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 430=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
318 431
319This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 432This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
433implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
434and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
435immensely.
320 436
321=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 437=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
322 438
323This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 439This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
324it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 440it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
325 441
326Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 442Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
327notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 443notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
328blocking when no data (or space) is available. 444blocking when no data (or space) is available.
445
446While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
447file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
448descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
449might perform better.
450
451On the positive side, ignoring the spurious readiness notifications, this
452backend actually performed to specification in all tests and is fully
453embeddable, which is a rare feat among the OS-specific backends.
329 454
330=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 455=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
331 456
332Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 457Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
333with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 458with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
334C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 459C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
335 460
461It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
462
336=back 463=back
337 464
338If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 465If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these
339backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 466backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are
340specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 467specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried.
341order of their flag values :)
342 468
343The most typical usage is like this: 469The most typical usage is like this:
344 470
345 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 471 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
346 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 472 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
347 473
348Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 474Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
349environment settings to be taken into account: 475environment settings to be taken into account:
350 476
351 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 477 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
352 478
353Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 479Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
354available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 480available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
355event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 481event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
356 482
357 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 483 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
358 484
359=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 485=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
360 486
361Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 487Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
362always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 488always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
363handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 489handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
364undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 490undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
365 491
492Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
493libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
494default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
495
366Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 496Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
367 497
368 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 498 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
369 if (!epoller) 499 if (!epoller)
370 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 500 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
371 501
372=item ev_default_destroy () 502=item ev_default_destroy ()
373 503
374Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 504Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
375etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 505etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
376sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 506sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
377responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 507responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
378calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 508calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
379the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 509the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
380for example). 510for example).
511
512Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by
513this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers)
514would need to be stopped manually.
515
516In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
517rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
518pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
519C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
381 520
382=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 521=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
383 522
384Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 523Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
385earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 524earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
386 525
387=item ev_default_fork () 526=item ev_default_fork ()
388 527
528This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
389This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 529to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
390one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 530name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
391after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 531the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
392again makes little sense). 532sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
533functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
393 534
394You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 535On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
395only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just 536process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If
396fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 537you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all.
397 538
398The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 539The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
399it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 540it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
400quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 541quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
401 542
402 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 543 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
403 544
404At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
405without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
406do not need to care.
407
408=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 545=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
409 546
410Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 547Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
411C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 548C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
412after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 549after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
550
551=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
552
553Returns true when the given loop actually is the default loop, false otherwise.
554
555=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
556
557Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
558the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
559happily wraps around with enough iterations.
560
561This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
562"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
563C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
413 564
414=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 565=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
415 566
416Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 567Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
417use. 568use.
420 571
421Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 572Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
422received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 573received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
423change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 574change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
424time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 575time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
425event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 576event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
426 577
427=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 578=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
428 579
429Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 580Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
430after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 581after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
442A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 593A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
443those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 594those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
444case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 595case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.
445 596
446A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 597A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
447neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 598necessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
448your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 599your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
449one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 600one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some
450external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 601external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
451libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 602libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
452usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 603usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
453 604
454Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 605Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
455 606
456 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 607 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
457 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 608 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
609 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
610 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
458 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 611 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
612 as to not disturb the other process.
459 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 613 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
460 - Update the "event loop time". 614 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
461 - Calculate for how long to block. 615 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
616 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
617 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
618 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
462 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 619 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
463 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 620 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
464 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 621 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
465 - Queue all outstanding timers. 622 - Queue all outstanding timers.
466 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 623 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
467 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 624 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
468 - Queue all check watchers. 625 - Queue all check watchers.
469 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 626 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
470 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 627 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
471 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 628 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
472 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 629 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
473 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 630 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
631 continue with step *.
474 632
475Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 633Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
476anymore. 634anymore.
477 635
478 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 636 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
479 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 637 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
480 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 638 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
481 ... jobs done. yeah! 639 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
482 640
483=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 641=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
484 642
485Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 643Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
486has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 644has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
487C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 645C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
488C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 646C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
647
648This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
489 649
490=item ev_ref (loop) 650=item ev_ref (loop)
491 651
492=item ev_unref (loop) 652=item ev_unref (loop)
493 653
498returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 658returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For
499example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 659example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not
500visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 660visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
501no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 661no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
502way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 662way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
503libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 663libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>
664(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before,
665respectively).
504 666
505Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 667Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
506running when nothing else is active. 668running when nothing else is active.
507 669
508 struct ev_signal exitsig; 670 struct ev_signal exitsig;
509 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 671 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
510 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 672 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
511 evf_unref (loop); 673 evf_unref (loop);
512 674
513Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 675Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
514 676
515 ev_ref (loop); 677 ev_ref (loop);
516 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 678 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
679
680=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
681
682=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
683
684These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
685for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
686will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
687latency.
688
689Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
690allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
691to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
692opportunities).
693
694The background is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to
695handle one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes
696the program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
697events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
698overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
699
700By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
701time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
702at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
703C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
704introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations.
705
706Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
707to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
708latency (the watcher callback will be called later). C<ev_io> watchers
709will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will not introduce
710any overhead in libev.
711
712Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
713interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
714interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
715usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
716as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems.
717
718Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
719saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
720are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
721times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
722reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
723they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
724
725=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
726
727This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
728compiled in. It tries to go through all internal structures and checks
729them for validity. If anything is found to be inconsistent, it will print
730an error message to standard error and call C<abort ()>.
731
732This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
733circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
734data structures consistent.
517 735
518=back 736=back
519 737
520 738
521=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 739=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
522 740
523A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 741A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
524interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 742interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
525become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 743become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
526 744
527 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 745 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
528 { 746 {
529 ev_io_stop (w); 747 ev_io_stop (w);
530 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 748 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
531 } 749 }
532 750
533 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 751 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
534 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 752 struct ev_io stdin_watcher;
535 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 753 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
536 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 754 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
537 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 755 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
538 ev_loop (loop, 0); 756 ev_loop (loop, 0);
539 757
540As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 758As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
541watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 759watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack,
542although this can sometimes be quite valid). 760although this can sometimes be quite valid).
543 761
544Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 762Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
545(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 763(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
546callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 764callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
547watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 765watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
548is readable and/or writable). 766is readable and/or writable).
549 767
550Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 768Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro
551with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 769with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro
621=item C<EV_FORK> 839=item C<EV_FORK>
622 840
623The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 841The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
624C<ev_fork>). 842C<ev_fork>).
625 843
844=item C<EV_ASYNC>
845
846The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
847
626=item C<EV_ERROR> 848=item C<EV_ERROR>
627 849
628An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 850An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
629happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 851happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
630ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 852ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
631problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 853problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping
632with the watcher being stopped. 854with the watcher being stopped.
633 855
634Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 856Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error,
635for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 857for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if
636your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 858your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope
637with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 859with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
638programs, though, so beware. 860programs, though, so beware.
639 861
640=back 862=back
641 863
642=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 864=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
672Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 894Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
673(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 895(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
674 896
675=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 897=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
676 898
677This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 899This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
678calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 900calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
679a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 901a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
680 902
681=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 903=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
682 904
683Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 905Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
701=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 923=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
702 924
703Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 925Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
704events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 926events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
705is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 927is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
706C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to 928C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
707libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 929make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
930it).
708 931
709=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 932=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
710 933
711Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 934Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
712 935
713=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 936=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
714 937
715Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 938Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
716(modulo threads). 939(modulo threads).
940
941=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)
942
943=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
944
945Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
946integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
947(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
948before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
949from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
950
951This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
952invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
953example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
954watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
955
956If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
957you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
958
959You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
960pending.
961
962The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
963always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
964
965Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
966fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
967or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
968
969=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
970
971Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
972C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
973can deal with that fact.
974
975=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
976
977If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status
978and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
979watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
717 980
718=back 981=back
719 982
720 983
721=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 984=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
725to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 988to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
726don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 989don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
727member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 990member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
728data: 991data:
729 992
730 struct my_io 993 struct my_io
731 { 994 {
732 struct ev_io io; 995 struct ev_io io;
733 int otherfd; 996 int otherfd;
734 void *somedata; 997 void *somedata;
735 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 998 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
736 } 999 }
737 1000
738And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1001And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
739can cast it back to your own type: 1002can cast it back to your own type:
740 1003
741 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1004 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)
742 { 1005 {
743 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1006 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
744 ... 1007 ...
745 } 1008 }
746 1009
747More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1010More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
748instead have been omitted. 1011instead have been omitted.
749 1012
750Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1013Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple
751watchers: 1014watchers:
752 1015
753 struct my_biggy 1016 struct my_biggy
754 { 1017 {
755 int some_data; 1018 int some_data;
756 ev_timer t1; 1019 ev_timer t1;
757 ev_timer t2; 1020 ev_timer t2;
758 } 1021 }
759 1022
760In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1023In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,
761you need to use C<offsetof>: 1024you need to use C<offsetof>:
762 1025
763 #include <stddef.h> 1026 #include <stddef.h>
764 1027
765 static void 1028 static void
766 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1029 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
767 { 1030 {
768 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1031 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
769 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1032 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
770 } 1033 }
771 1034
772 static void 1035 static void
773 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1036 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
774 { 1037 {
775 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1038 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
776 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1039 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
777 } 1040 }
778 1041
779 1042
780=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1043=head1 WATCHER TYPES
781 1044
782This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1045This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
806In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1069In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
807fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1070fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
808descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1071descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
809required if you know what you are doing). 1072required if you know what you are doing).
810 1073
811You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
812(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
813descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
814to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
815the same underlying "file open").
816
817If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 1074If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
818(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 1075(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
819C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 1076C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
820 1077
821Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1078Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
822receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1079receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
823be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1080be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
824because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1081because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
825lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1082lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
826this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1083this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
827it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1084it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
828C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1085C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
829 1086
830If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1087If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
831play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1088play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately re-test
832wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1089whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
833such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1090such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
834its own, so its quite safe to use). 1091its own, so its quite safe to use).
835 1092
1093=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1094
1095Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1096descriptor (either by calling C<close> explicitly or by any other means,
1097such as C<dup>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1098descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1099this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1100registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1101fact, a different file descriptor.
1102
1103To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1104the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1105will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1106it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1107you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
1108descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
1109
1110This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
1111the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
1112optimisations to libev.
1113
1114=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1115
1116Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1117but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1118have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1119events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1120
1121There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1122for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1123C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1124
1125=head3 The special problem of fork
1126
1127Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1128useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1129it in the child.
1130
1131To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1132C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1133enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1134C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1135
1136=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1137
1138While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about SIGPIPE:
1139when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1140send a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1141this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1142
1143So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1144ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1145somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1146
1147
1148=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1149
836=over 4 1150=over 4
837 1151
838=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1152=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
839 1153
840=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1154=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
841 1155
842Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1156Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
843rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1157receive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
844C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1158C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
845 1159
846=item int fd [read-only] 1160=item int fd [read-only]
847 1161
848The file descriptor being watched. 1162The file descriptor being watched.
850=item int events [read-only] 1164=item int events [read-only]
851 1165
852The events being watched. 1166The events being watched.
853 1167
854=back 1168=back
1169
1170=head3 Examples
855 1171
856Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1172Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
857readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1173readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
858attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1174attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
859 1175
860 static void 1176 static void
861 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1177 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
862 { 1178 {
863 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1179 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
864 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1180 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors
865 } 1181 }
866 1182
867 ... 1183 ...
868 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1184 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
869 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1185 struct ev_io stdin_readable;
870 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1186 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
871 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1187 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
872 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1188 ev_loop (loop, 0);
873 1189
874 1190
875=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1191=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
876 1192
877Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1193Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
878given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1194given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
879 1195
880The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1196The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
881times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1197times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
882time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1198year, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
883detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1199detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
884monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1200monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
885 1201
886The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1202The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
887time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1203time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
889you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1205you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout
890on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1206on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
891 1207
892 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1208 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
893 1209
894The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1210The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only after its timeout has passed,
895but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1211but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
896order of execution is undefined. 1212order of execution is undefined.
897 1213
1214=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1215
898=over 4 1216=over 4
899 1217
900=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1218=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
901 1219
902=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1220=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
903 1221
904Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1222Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
905C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1223is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
906timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1224reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
907later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1225configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1226until stopped manually.
908 1227
909The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1228The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
910configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1229you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
911exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1230trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
912the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1231keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
913timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1232do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
914 1233
915=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1234=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
916 1235
917This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1236This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
918repeating. The exact semantics are: 1237repeating. The exact semantics are:
919 1238
1239If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1240
920If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it. 1241If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
921 1242
922If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 1243If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
923value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 1244C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
924 1245
925This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1246This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
926example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called 1247example: Imagine you have a TCP connection and you want a so-called idle
927idle timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, 1248timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
928say, 60 seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do 1249seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
929this is to configure an C<ev_timer> with C<after>=C<repeat>=C<60> and calling 1250configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
930C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If 1251C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
931you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the 1252you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
932socket, you can stop the timer, and again will automatically restart it if 1253socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
933need be. 1254automatically restart it if need be.
934 1255
935You can also ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> altogether 1256That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
936and only ever use the C<repeat> value: 1257altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
937 1258
938 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 1259 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
939 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1260 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
940 ... 1261 ...
941 timer->again = 17.; 1262 timer->again = 17.;
942 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1263 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
943 ... 1264 ...
944 timer->again = 10.; 1265 timer->again = 10.;
945 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1266 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
946 1267
947This is more efficient then stopping/starting the timer eahc time you want 1268This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
948to modify its timeout value. 1269you want to modify its timeout value.
949 1270
950=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1271=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
951 1272
952The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1273The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
953or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1274or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
954which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1275which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
955 1276
956=back 1277=back
957 1278
1279=head3 Examples
1280
958Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1281Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
959 1282
960 static void 1283 static void
961 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1284 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
962 { 1285 {
963 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1286 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
964 } 1287 }
965 1288
966 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1289 struct ev_timer mytimer;
967 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1290 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
968 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1291 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
969 1292
970Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1293Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
971inactivity. 1294inactivity.
972 1295
973 static void 1296 static void
974 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1297 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
975 { 1298 {
976 .. ten seconds without any activity 1299 .. ten seconds without any activity
977 } 1300 }
978 1301
979 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1302 struct ev_timer mytimer;
980 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1303 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
981 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1304 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
982 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1305 ev_loop (loop, 0);
983 1306
984 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1307 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
985 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1308 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
986 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1309 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
987 1310
988 1311
989=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1312=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
990 1313
991Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1314Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
992(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1315(and unfortunately a bit complex).
993 1316
994Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1317Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
995but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1318but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
996to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1319to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
997periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1320periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now ()
998+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1321+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system
1322clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year
999take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1323to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1000roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1324roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1001again).
1002 1325
1003They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1326C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers,
1004triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1327such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other
1328complicated, rules.
1005 1329
1006As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1330As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1007time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1331time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
1008during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1332during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
1333
1334=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1009 1335
1010=over 4 1336=over 4
1011 1337
1012=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1338=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1013 1339
1016Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1342Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1017operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1343operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
1018 1344
1019=over 4 1345=over 4
1020 1346
1021=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1347=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
1022 1348
1023In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1349In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1024C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1350time C<at> has passed and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time
1025that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1351jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will
1026system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1352run when the system time reaches or surpasses this time.
1027 1353
1028=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1354=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1029 1355
1030In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1356In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1031C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 1357C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
1032of any time jumps. 1358and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
1033 1359
1034This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1360This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
1035time: 1361time, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each hour, on
1362the hour:
1036 1363
1037 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1364 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1038 1365
1039This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 1366This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1040but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 1367but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1041full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 1368full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1042by 3600. 1369by 3600.
1043 1370
1044Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1371Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1045C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1372C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1046time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1373time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1047 1374
1375For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1376C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1377this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1378
1379Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1380speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1381will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1382millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1383
1048=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1384=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1049 1385
1050In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1386In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
1051ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1387ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1052reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1388reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1053current time as second argument. 1389current time as second argument.
1054 1390
1055NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1391NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1056ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1392ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1057return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
1058starting a prepare watcher).
1059 1393
1394If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1395it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1396only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1397
1060Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1398The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic
1061ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1399*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1062 1400
1063 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1401 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1064 { 1402 {
1065 return now + 60.; 1403 return now + 60.;
1066 } 1404 }
1068It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 1406It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1069(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 1407(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1070will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 1408will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1071might be called at other times, too. 1409might be called at other times, too.
1072 1410
1073NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 1411NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1074passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 1412equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1075 1413
1076This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 1414This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1077triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 1415triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1078next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 1416next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1079you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 1417you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1080reason I omitted it as an example). 1418reason I omitted it as an example).
1081 1419
1082=back 1420=back
1086Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1424Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1087when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1425when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1088a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1426a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1089program when the crontabs have changed). 1427program when the crontabs have changed).
1090 1428
1429=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1430
1431When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to
1432trigger next.
1433
1434=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1435
1436When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1437absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1438
1439Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1440timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1441
1091=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 1442=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1092 1443
1093The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 1444The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1094take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 1445take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1095called. 1446called.
1100switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 1451switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1101the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 1452the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1102 1453
1103=back 1454=back
1104 1455
1456=head3 Examples
1457
1105Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1458Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1106system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1459system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1107potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1460potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1108 1461
1109 static void 1462 static void
1110 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1463 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
1111 { 1464 {
1112 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 1465 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1113 } 1466 }
1114 1467
1115 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1468 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1116 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1469 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1117 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1470 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1118 1471
1119Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1472Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1120 1473
1121 #include <math.h> 1474 #include <math.h>
1122 1475
1123 static ev_tstamp 1476 static ev_tstamp
1124 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1477 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1125 { 1478 {
1126 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1479 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
1127 } 1480 }
1128 1481
1129 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1482 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1130 1483
1131Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 1484Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1132 1485
1133 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1486 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1134 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1487 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1135 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1488 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1136 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1489 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1137 1490
1138 1491
1139=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 1492=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1140 1493
1141Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1494Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1148with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 1501with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long
1149as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 1502as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal
1150watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 1503watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to
1151SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 1504SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1152 1505
1506If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1507C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly
1508interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by
1509signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock
1510them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
1511
1512=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1513
1153=over 4 1514=over 4
1154 1515
1155=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 1516=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1156 1517
1157=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1518=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1163 1524
1164The signal the watcher watches out for. 1525The signal the watcher watches out for.
1165 1526
1166=back 1527=back
1167 1528
1529=head3 Examples
1530
1531Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1532
1533 static void
1534 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1535 {
1536 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1537 }
1538
1539 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1540 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1541 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
1542
1168 1543
1169=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 1544=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1170 1545
1171Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1546Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1172some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1547some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). It
1548is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child has been
1549forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long as the event
1550loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher).
1551
1552Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1553you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1554
1555=head3 Process Interaction
1556
1557Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1558initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if
1559the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1560of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1561synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1562children, even ones not watched.
1563
1564=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1565
1566Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
1567processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
1568handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
1569C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
1570default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
1571event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
1572that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
1573
1574=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1575
1576Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1577child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1578callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1579when a child exit is detected.
1580
1581=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1173 1582
1174=over 4 1583=over 4
1175 1584
1176=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 1585=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1177 1586
1178=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 1587=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1179 1588
1180Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 1589Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1181I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 1590I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1182at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 1591at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1183the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 1592the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1184C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1593C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1185process causing the status change. 1594process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
1595activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
1596activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1186 1597
1187=item int pid [read-only] 1598=item int pid [read-only]
1188 1599
1189The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id. 1600The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1190 1601
1197The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 1608The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1198C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 1609C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1199 1610
1200=back 1611=back
1201 1612
1202Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1613=head3 Examples
1203 1614
1615Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
1616its completion.
1617
1618 ev_child cw;
1619
1204 static void 1620 static void
1205 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1621 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents)
1206 { 1622 {
1207 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1623 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1624 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1208 } 1625 }
1209 1626
1210 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1627 pid_t pid = fork ();
1211 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1628
1212 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1629 if (pid < 0)
1630 // error
1631 else if (pid == 0)
1632 {
1633 // the forked child executes here
1634 exit (1);
1635 }
1636 else
1637 {
1638 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
1639 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
1640 }
1213 1641
1214 1642
1215=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1643=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1216 1644
1217This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1645This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1218C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 1646C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1219compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1647compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1220 1648
1221The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 1649The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1222not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1650not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1223not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 1651not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1224otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 1652otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1225the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1653the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1654
1655The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1656relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1226 1657
1227Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 1658Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply
1228calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 1659calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You
1229can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 1660can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify
1230a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 1661a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,
1237as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1668as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1238resource-intensive. 1669resource-intensive.
1239 1670
1240At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 1671At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1241implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 1672implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
1673reader, note, however, that the author sees no way of implementing ev_stat
1242reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 1674semantics with kqueue). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should
1243semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 1675not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev
1244to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 1676sometimes needs to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify,
1245usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 1677but changes are usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there
1246polling. 1678will be no polling.
1679
1680=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1681
1682Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1683compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1684support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1685structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1686use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1687compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1688obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1689most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support.
1690
1691The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1692file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1693optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1694to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1695default compilation environment.
1696
1697=head3 Inotify
1698
1699When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only
1700available on Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up
1701change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily
1702when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1703
1704Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1705except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1706making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1707there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling.
1708
1709(There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1710implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1711descriptor open on the object at all times).
1712
1713=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1714
1715The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and
1716even on systems where the resolution is higher, many file systems still
1717only support whole seconds.
1718
1719That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1720easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1721calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1722within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect it as the stat
1723data does not change.
1724
1725The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
1726than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
1727a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
1728ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
1729
1730The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
1731of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
1732might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
1733C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
1734a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
1735update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
1736the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
1737the timer callback).
1738
1739=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1247 1740
1248=over 4 1741=over 4
1249 1742
1250=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 1743=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1251 1744
1255C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 1748C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1256be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 1749be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1257a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 1750a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1258path for as long as the watcher is active. 1751path for as long as the watcher is active.
1259 1752
1260The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 1753The callback will receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, relative
1261relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 1754to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the last change
1262last change was detected). 1755was detected).
1263 1756
1264=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 1757=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1265 1758
1266Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 1759Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1267watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 1760watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1268detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 1761detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1269useful simply to find out the new values. 1762the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
1763new values.
1270 1764
1271=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 1765=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1272 1766
1273The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 1767The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1274C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types 1768C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1275suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there 1769suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
1770members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1276was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 1771some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1277 1772
1278=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 1773=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1279 1774
1280The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 1775The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1281C<prev> != C<attr>. 1776C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
1777differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
1778C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1282 1779
1283=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 1780=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1284 1781
1285The specified interval. 1782The specified interval.
1286 1783
1287=item const char *path [read-only] 1784=item const char *path [read-only]
1288 1785
1289The filesystem path that is being watched. 1786The file system path that is being watched.
1290 1787
1291=back 1788=back
1292 1789
1790=head3 Examples
1791
1293Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 1792Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1294 1793
1295 static void 1794 static void
1296 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 1795 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1297 { 1796 {
1298 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 1797 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1299 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 1798 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1300 { 1799 {
1301 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 1800 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1302 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 1801 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1303 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 1802 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1304 } 1803 }
1305 else 1804 else
1306 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 1805 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1307 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 1806 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1308 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 1807 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1309 } 1808 }
1310 1809
1311 ... 1810 ...
1312 ev_stat passwd; 1811 ev_stat passwd;
1313 1812
1314 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 1813 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1315 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 1814 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1815
1816Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
1817miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
1818one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
1819C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
1820
1821 static ev_stat passwd;
1822 static ev_timer timer;
1823
1824 static void
1825 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1826 {
1827 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
1828
1829 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
1830 }
1831
1832 static void
1833 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
1834 {
1835 /* reset the one-second timer */
1836 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
1837 }
1838
1839 ...
1840 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1841 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1842 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1316 1843
1317 1844
1318=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 1845=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1319 1846
1320Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1847Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1321(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1848priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not
1322as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1849count).
1323imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1850
1324watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration - 1851That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1852(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1853triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1854are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1325until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes 1855iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1326busy. 1856and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1327 1857
1328The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are 1858The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
1329active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 1859active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1330 1860
1331Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1861Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1332effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 1862effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1333"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 1863"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1334event loop has handled all outstanding events. 1864event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1335 1865
1866=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1867
1336=over 4 1868=over 4
1337 1869
1338=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 1870=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1339 1871
1340Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 1872Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1341kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1873kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1342believe me. 1874believe me.
1343 1875
1344=back 1876=back
1345 1877
1878=head3 Examples
1879
1346Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 1880Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1347callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 1881callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1348 1882
1349 static void 1883 static void
1350 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1884 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1351 { 1885 {
1352 free (w); 1886 free (w);
1353 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 1887 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1354 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 1888 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1355 } 1889 }
1356 1890
1357 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1891 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1358 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1892 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1359 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1893 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1360 1894
1361 1895
1362=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 1896=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1363 1897
1364Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1898Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1383 1917
1384This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1918This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
1385to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 1919to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
1386them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1920them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1387provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1921provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1388any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 1922any events that occurred (by checking the pending status of all watchers
1389and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 1923and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
1390callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 1924callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
1391because you never know, you know?). 1925because you never know, you know?).
1392 1926
1393As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 1927As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1397with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 1931with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1398of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 1932of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1399loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 1933loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1400low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 1934low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1401 1935
1936It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1937priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
1938after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,
1939too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully
1940supports this, they might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers
1941did their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other
1942(non-libev) event loops those other event loops might be in an unusable
1943state until their C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to
1944coexist peacefully with others).
1945
1946=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1947
1402=over 4 1948=over 4
1403 1949
1404=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1950=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1405 1951
1406=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1952=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1409parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1955parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1410macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1956macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1411 1957
1412=back 1958=back
1413 1959
1414Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 1960=head3 Examples
1415and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 1961
1962There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1963into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1964(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1965use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
1966Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
1967Glib event loop).
1968
1969Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1416in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is 1970and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1417pseudo-code only of course: 1971is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1972priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1973the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1418 1974
1419 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 1975 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1420 static ev_timer tw; 1976 static ev_timer tw;
1421 1977
1422 static void 1978 static void
1423 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1979 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1424 { 1980 {
1425 // set the relevant poll flags
1426 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1427 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1428 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1429 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1430 } 1981 }
1431 1982
1432 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 1983 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1433 static void 1984 static void
1434 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 1985 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1435 { 1986 {
1436 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd]; 1987 int timeout = 3600000;
1988 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1437 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 1989 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1438 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 1990 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1439 1991
1440 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 1992 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1441 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 1993 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1442 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 1994 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1443 1995
1444 // create on ev_io per pollfd 1996 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1445 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 1997 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1446 { 1998 {
1447 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 1999 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1448 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2000 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1449 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2001 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1450 2002
1451 fds [i].revents = 0; 2003 fds [i].revents = 0;
1452 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1453 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2004 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1454 } 2005 }
1455 } 2006 }
1456 2007
1457 // stop all watchers after blocking 2008 // stop all watchers after blocking
1458 static void 2009 static void
1459 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2010 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1460 { 2011 {
1461 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2012 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1462 2013
1463 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2014 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2015 {
2016 // set the relevant poll flags
2017 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
2018 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
2019 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
2020 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
2021 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
2022
2023 // now stop the watcher
1464 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2024 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
2025 }
1465 2026
1466 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2027 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1467 } 2028 }
2029
2030Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
2031in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
2032
2033Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
2034notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
2035callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
2036
2037 static void
2038 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2039 {
2040 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2041 update_now (EV_A);
2042
2043 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
2044 }
2045
2046 static void
2047 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
2048 {
2049 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2050 update_now (EV_A);
2051
2052 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2053 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2054 }
2055
2056 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2057
2058Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2059want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, you can override
2060their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main
2061loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does
2062this.
2063
2064 static gint
2065 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2066 {
2067 int got_events = 0;
2068
2069 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2070 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
2071
2072 if (timeout >= 0)
2073 // create/start timer
2074
2075 // poll
2076 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2077
2078 // stop timer again
2079 if (timeout >= 0)
2080 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2081
2082 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2083 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2084 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2085
2086 return got_events;
2087 }
1468 2088
1469 2089
1470=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2090=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1471 2091
1472This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2092This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1514portable one. 2134portable one.
1515 2135
1516So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2136So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1517that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 2137that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1518this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 2138this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1519create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2139create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1520 2140
1521 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2141=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1522 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1523 struct ev_embed embed;
1524
1525 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1526 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1527 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1528 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1529 : 0;
1530
1531 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
1532 if (loop_lo)
1533 {
1534 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
1535 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
1536 }
1537 else
1538 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1539 2142
1540=over 4 2143=over 4
1541 2144
1542=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2145=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1543 2146
1545 2148
1546Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2149Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1547embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2150embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1548invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2151invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1549to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2152to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1550if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2153if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1551 2154
1552=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2155=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1553 2156
1554Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2157Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1555similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2158similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1556apropriate way for embedded loops. 2159appropriate way for embedded loops.
1557 2160
1558=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only] 2161=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1559 2162
1560The embedded event loop. 2163The embedded event loop.
1561 2164
1562=back 2165=back
2166
2167=head3 Examples
2168
2169Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2170event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2171loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2172C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2173used).
2174
2175 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2176 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2177 struct ev_embed embed;
2178
2179 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2180 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2181 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2182 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2183 : 0;
2184
2185 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2186 if (loop_lo)
2187 {
2188 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2189 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2190 }
2191 else
2192 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2193
2194Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2195a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2196kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2197C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2198
2199 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2200 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2201 struct ev_embed embed;
2202
2203 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2204 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2205 {
2206 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2207 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2208 }
2209
2210 if (!loop_socket)
2211 loop_socket = loop;
2212
2213 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1563 2214
1564 2215
1565=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2216=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1566 2217
1567Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2218Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1570event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 2221event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1571and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 2222and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1572C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 2223C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1573handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 2224handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1574 2225
2226=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2227
1575=over 4 2228=over 4
1576 2229
1577=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2230=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1578 2231
1579Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 2232Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1580kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2233kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1581believe me. 2234believe me.
2235
2236=back
2237
2238
2239=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
2240
2241In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2242asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2243loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2244
2245Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
2246control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
2247C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
2248can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
2249safe.
2250
2251This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2252too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2253(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2254C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2255
2256Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2257just the default loop.
2258
2259=head3 Queueing
2260
2261C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2262is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2263multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2264need elaborate support such as pthreads.
2265
2266That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2267queue. But at least I can tell you would implement locking around your
2268queue:
2269
2270=over 4
2271
2272=item queueing from a signal handler context
2273
2274To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
2275handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is an example that does that for
2276some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
2277
2278 static ev_async mysig;
2279
2280 static void
2281 sigusr1_handler (void)
2282 {
2283 sometype data;
2284
2285 // no locking etc.
2286 queue_put (data);
2287 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2288 }
2289
2290 static void
2291 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2292 {
2293 sometype data;
2294 sigset_t block, prev;
2295
2296 sigemptyset (&block);
2297 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
2298 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
2299
2300 while (queue_get (&data))
2301 process (data);
2302
2303 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
2304 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
2305 }
2306
2307(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
2308instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
2309either...).
2310
2311=item queueing from a thread context
2312
2313The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
2314threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
2315employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
2316
2317 static ev_async mysig;
2318 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
2319
2320 static void
2321 otherthread (void)
2322 {
2323 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
2324 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2325 queue_put (data);
2326 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2327
2328 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
2329 }
2330
2331 static void
2332 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
2333 {
2334 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
2335
2336 while (queue_get (&data))
2337 process (data);
2338
2339 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
2340 }
2341
2342=back
2343
2344
2345=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2346
2347=over 4
2348
2349=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2350
2351Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2352kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2353believe me.
2354
2355=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2356
2357Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2358an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2359C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do in other threads, signal or
2360similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2361section below on what exactly this means).
2362
2363This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration,
2364so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated
2365calls to C<ev_async_send>.
2366
2367=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2368
2369Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2370watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2371event loop.
2372
2373C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2374the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2375it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2376quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2377
2378Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only
2379whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending.
1582 2380
1583=back 2381=back
1584 2382
1585 2383
1586=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 2384=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1597or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 2395or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1598more watchers yourself. 2396more watchers yourself.
1599 2397
1600If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 2398If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
1601is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 2399is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
1602C<events> set will be craeted and started. 2400C<events> set will be created and started.
1603 2401
1604If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 2402If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1605started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 2403started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1606repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 2404repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
1607dubious value. 2405dubious value.
1609The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 2407The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
1610passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 2408passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1611C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 2409C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
1612value passed to C<ev_once>: 2410value passed to C<ev_once>:
1613 2411
1614 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 2412 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1615 { 2413 {
1616 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 2414 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1617 /* doh, nothing entered */; 2415 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1618 else if (revents & EV_READ) 2416 else if (revents & EV_READ)
1619 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 2417 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
1620 } 2418 }
1621 2419
1622 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 2420 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1623 2421
1624=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 2422=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1625 2423
1626Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 2424Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1627had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 2425had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1632Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 2430Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1633the given events it. 2431the given events it.
1634 2432
1635=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 2433=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1636 2434
1637Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 2435Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1638loop!). 2436loop!).
1639 2437
1640=back 2438=back
1641 2439
1642 2440
1658 2456
1659=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 2457=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1660will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 2458will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1661is an ev_pri field. 2459is an ev_pri field.
1662 2460
2461=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2462first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
2463
1663=item * Other members are not supported. 2464=item * Other members are not supported.
1664 2465
1665=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 2466=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1666to use the libev header file and library. 2467to use the libev header file and library.
1667 2468
1668=back 2469=back
1669 2470
1670=head1 C++ SUPPORT 2471=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1671 2472
1672Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 2473Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1673you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 2474you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1674the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 2475the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1675 2476
1676To use it, 2477To use it,
1677 2478
1678 #include <ev++.h> 2479 #include <ev++.h>
1679 2480
1680(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h> 2481This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1681and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 2482of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1682namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace. 2483put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
2484options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1683 2485
1684It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably 2486Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1685C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 2487classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2488that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2489you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2490
2491Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
2492used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
2493need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
2494types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
2495it).
1686 2496
1687Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 2497Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1688 2498
1689=over 4 2499=over 4
1690 2500
1706 2516
1707All of those classes have these methods: 2517All of those classes have these methods:
1708 2518
1709=over 4 2519=over 4
1710 2520
1711=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 2521=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1712 2522
1713=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 2523=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1714 2524
1715=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 2525=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1716 2526
1717The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 2527The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1718the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 2528with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1719C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 2529
1720before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor 2530The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1721automatically associates the default loop with this watcher. 2531C<set> method before starting it.
2532
2533It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
2534method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
2535
2536(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
2537not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1722 2538
1723The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active. 2539The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
2540
2541=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
2542
2543This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
2544signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
2545first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
2546parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
2547
2548This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
2549the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
2550callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
2551your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
2552thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
2553
2554Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
2555
2556 struct myclass
2557 {
2558 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2559 }
2560
2561 myclass obj;
2562 ev::io iow;
2563 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2564
2565=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2566
2567Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2568callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2569C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2570
2571The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
2572
2573See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2574
2575Example:
2576
2577 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2578 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1724 2579
1725=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 2580=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1726 2581
1727Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 2582Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1728do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 2583do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1729 2584
1730=item w->set ([args]) 2585=item w->set ([arguments])
1731 2586
1732Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 2587Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1733called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 2588called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1734automatically stopped and restarted. 2589automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
2590method.
1735 2591
1736=item w->start () 2592=item w->start ()
1737 2593
1738Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the 2594Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1739constructor already takes the loop. 2595constructor already stores the event loop.
1740 2596
1741=item w->stop () 2597=item w->stop ()
1742 2598
1743Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 2599Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1744 2600
1745=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 2601=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1746 2602
1747For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 2603For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1748C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 2604C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1749 2605
1750=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 2606=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1751 2607
1752Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 2608Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1753 2609
1754=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 2610=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1755 2611
1756Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 2612Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1757 2613
1758=back 2614=back
1759 2615
1760=back 2616=back
1761 2617
1762Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 2618Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1763the constructor. 2619the constructor.
1764 2620
1765 class myclass 2621 class myclass
1766 { 2622 {
1767 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 2623 ev::io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1768 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 2624 ev:idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1769 2625
1770 myclass (); 2626 myclass (int fd)
1771 } 2627 {
2628 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2629 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1772 2630
1773 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1774 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1775 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1776 {
1777 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2631 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
2632 }
1778 } 2633 };
2634
2635
2636=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2637
2638Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
2639number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
2640any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
2641me a note.
2642
2643=over 4
2644
2645=item Perl
2646
2647The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
2648libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
2649there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
2650to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>), C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the
2651C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV> and C<EV::Glib>).
2652
2653It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
2654L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2655
2656=item Python
2657
2658Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2659seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the
2660patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2661for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2662libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2663libev).
2664
2665=item Ruby
2666
2667Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2668of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2669more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2670L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2671
2672=item D
2673
2674Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2675be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2676
2677=back
1779 2678
1780 2679
1781=head1 MACRO MAGIC 2680=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1782 2681
1783Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 2682Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
1784C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines wether (most) functions and 2683of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1785callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 2684functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1786 2685
1787To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 2686To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1788following macros are defined: 2687following macros are defined:
1789 2688
1790=over 4 2689=over 4
1793 2692
1794This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 2693This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1795loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 2694loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
1796C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 2695C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1797 2696
1798 ev_unref (EV_A); 2697 ev_unref (EV_A);
1799 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 2698 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1800 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2699 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1801 2700
1802It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 2701It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
1803which is often provided by the following macro. 2702which is often provided by the following macro.
1804 2703
1805=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 2704=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1806 2705
1807This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 2706This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1808loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 2707loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
1809C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 2708C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1810 2709
1811 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 2710 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
1812 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 2711 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1813 2712
1814 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 2713 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
1815 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2714 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1816 2715
1817It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 2716It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
1818suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 2717suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1819 2718
1820=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 2719=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1821 2720
1822Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 2721Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1823loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 2722loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
1824 2723
2724=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
2725
2726Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
2727default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
2728is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
2729execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
2730
2731It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
2732watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
2733
1825=back 2734=back
1826 2735
1827Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, working regardless of 2736Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1828wether multiple loops are supported or not. 2737macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2738or not.
1829 2739
1830 static void 2740 static void
1831 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 2741 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1832 { 2742 {
1833 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 2743 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1834 } 2744 }
1835 2745
1836 ev_check check; 2746 ev_check check;
1837 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 2747 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1838 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 2748 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1839 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 2749 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1840
1841 2750
1842=head1 EMBEDDING 2751=head1 EMBEDDING
1843 2752
1844Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 2753Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1845applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 2754applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1846Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 2755Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1847and rxvt-unicode. 2756and rxvt-unicode.
1848 2757
1849The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 2758The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1850source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so 2759source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1851you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of 2760you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1852libev somewhere in your source tree). 2761libev somewhere in your source tree).
1853 2762
1854=head2 FILESETS 2763=head2 FILESETS
1855 2764
1856Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 2765Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1857in your app. 2766in your application.
1858 2767
1859=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 2768=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1860 2769
1861To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 2770To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1862configuration (no autoconf): 2771configuration (no autoconf):
1863 2772
1864 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 2773 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1865 #include "ev.c" 2774 #include "ev.c"
1866 2775
1867This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 2776This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1868single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 2777single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1869it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 2778it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1870done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 2779done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1871where you can put other configuration options): 2780where you can put other configuration options):
1872 2781
1873 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 2782 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1874 #include "ev.h" 2783 #include "ev.h"
1875 2784
1876Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 2785Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1877compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 2786compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1878as a bug). 2787as a bug).
1879 2788
1880You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 2789You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1881in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 2790in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1882 2791
1883 ev.h 2792 ev.h
1884 ev.c 2793 ev.c
1885 ev_vars.h 2794 ev_vars.h
1886 ev_wrap.h 2795 ev_wrap.h
1887 2796
1888 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 2797 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1889 2798
1890 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default) 2799 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1891 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2800 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1892 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2801 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1893 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2802 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1894 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 2803 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1895 2804
1896F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 2805F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1897to compile this single file. 2806to compile this single file.
1898 2807
1899=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 2808=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1900 2809
1901To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 2810To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1902 2811
1903 #include "event.c" 2812 #include "event.c"
1904 2813
1905in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 2814in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1906 2815
1907 #include "event.h" 2816 #include "event.h"
1908 2817
1909in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 2818in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1910 2819
1911You need the following additional files for this: 2820You need the following additional files for this:
1912 2821
1913 event.h 2822 event.h
1914 event.c 2823 event.c
1915 2824
1916=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 2825=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1917 2826
1918Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 2827Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
1919whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 2828whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1920F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 2829F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1921include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 2830include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1922 2831
1923For this of course you need the m4 file: 2832For this of course you need the m4 file:
1924 2833
1925 libev.m4 2834 libev.m4
1926 2835
1927=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 2836=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1928 2837
1929Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define 2838Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
1930before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity 2839define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of
1931and only include the select backend. 2840autoconf is noted for every option.
1932 2841
1933=over 4 2842=over 4
1934 2843
1935=item EV_STANDALONE 2844=item EV_STANDALONE
1936 2845
1941F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 2850F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
1942 2851
1943=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 2852=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1944 2853
1945If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2854If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1946monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 2855monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use
1947of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 2856of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
1948usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 2857usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1949the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 2858the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
1950to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 2859to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1951function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 2860function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1952 2861
1953=item EV_USE_REALTIME 2862=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1954 2863
1955If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 2864If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1956realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 2865real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
1957runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 2866runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
1958be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 2867be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1959(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 2868(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
1960in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 2869note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2870
2871=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2872
2873If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2874and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
2875
2876=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
2877
2878If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
2879available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
2880C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
2881If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
28822.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
1961 2883
1962=item EV_USE_SELECT 2884=item EV_USE_SELECT
1963 2885
1964If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 2886If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1965C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 2887C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
1966other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 2888other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1967will not be compiled in. 2889will not be compiled in.
1968 2890
1969=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 2891=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1970 2892
1971If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 2893If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
1972structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 2894structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
1973C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 2895C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on
1974exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 2896exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
1975low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 2897low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
1976allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 2898allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
1977influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 2899influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
1978 2900
1984be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 2906be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1985C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 2907C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
1986it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 2908it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1987on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 2909on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1988 2910
2911=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE
2912
2913If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
2914file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
2915default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
2916correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
2917in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
2918
1989=item EV_USE_POLL 2919=item EV_USE_POLL
1990 2920
1991If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 2921If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
1992backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 2922backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1993takes precedence over select. 2923takes precedence over select.
1994 2924
1995=item EV_USE_EPOLL 2925=item EV_USE_EPOLL
1996 2926
1997If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 2927If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
1998C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 2928C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1999otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 2929otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2000preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems. 2930backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
2931headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2001 2932
2002=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 2933=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2003 2934
2004If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 2935If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2005C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 2936C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2018otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 2949otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2019backend for Solaris 10 systems. 2950backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2020 2951
2021=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 2952=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2022 2953
2023reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 2954Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2024 2955
2025=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 2956=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2026 2957
2027If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 2958If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2028interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 2959interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2029be detected at runtime. 2960be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
2961indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2962
2963=item EV_ATOMIC_T
2964
2965Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
2966access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
2967type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
2968that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
2969as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
2970
2971In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
2972(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
2030 2973
2031=item EV_H 2974=item EV_H
2032 2975
2033The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 2976The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2034undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 2977undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2035can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 2978used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2036 2979
2037=item EV_CONFIG_H 2980=item EV_CONFIG_H
2038 2981
2039If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 2982If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2040F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 2983F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2041C<EV_H>, above. 2984C<EV_H>, above.
2042 2985
2043=item EV_EVENT_H 2986=item EV_EVENT_H
2044 2987
2045Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 2988Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2046of how the F<event.h> header can be found. 2989of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2047 2990
2048=item EV_PROTOTYPES 2991=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2049 2992
2050If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 2993If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2051prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 2994prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2058will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 3001will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2059additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 3002additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2060for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 3003for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2061argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 3004argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2062 3005
3006=item EV_MINPRI
3007
3008=item EV_MAXPRI
3009
3010The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
3011C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
3012provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
3013to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
3014
3015When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
3016all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
3017and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
3018fine.
3019
3020If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these both to
3021C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3022
2063=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3023=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2064 3024
2065If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 3025If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2066defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 3026defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2067code. 3027code.
2068 3028
3029=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE
3030
3031If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3032defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3033code.
3034
2069=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE 3035=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2070 3036
2071If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If 3037If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2072defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3038defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2073 3039
2079=item EV_FORK_ENABLE 3045=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2080 3046
2081If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If 3047If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2082defined to be C<0>, then they are not. 3048defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2083 3049
3050=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3051
3052If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3053defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3054
2084=item EV_MINIMAL 3055=item EV_MINIMAL
2085 3056
2086If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 3057If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2087speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 3058speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some
2088some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 3059inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a
3060much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap.
2089 3061
2090=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3062=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2091 3063
2092C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3064C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2093pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 3065pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2094than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 3066than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2095increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 3067increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2096 3068
2097=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 3069=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2098 3070
2099C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3071C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2100inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 3072inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2101usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 3073usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2102watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 3074watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2103two). 3075two).
2104 3076
3077=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3078
3079Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3080timer and periodics heap, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3081to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has
3082noticeably faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3083
3084The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3085(disabled).
3086
3087=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3088
3089Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3090timer and periodics heap, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3091the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3092which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3093but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3094noticeably with with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3095
3096The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0>
3097(disabled).
3098
3099=item EV_VERIFY
3100
3101Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
3102be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3103in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3104called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3105called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3106verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3107libev considerably.
3108
3109The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be
3110C<0.>
3111
2105=item EV_COMMON 3112=item EV_COMMON
2106 3113
2107By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 3114By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2108this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 3115this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2109members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 3116members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2110though, and it must be identical each time. 3117though, and it must be identical each time.
2111 3118
2112For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 3119For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2113 3120
2114 #define EV_COMMON \ 3121 #define EV_COMMON \
2115 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 3122 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2116 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 3123 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2117 3124
2118=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 3125=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2119 3126
2120=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 3127=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2121 3128
2122=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 3129=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2123 3130
2124Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 3131Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2125and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member 3132and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2126definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for 3133definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2127their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 3134their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2128avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 3135avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2129method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 3136method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
3137
3138=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
3139
3140If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
3141exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
3142all public symbols, one per line:
3143
3144 Symbols.ev for libev proper
3145 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
3146
3147This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
3148multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
3149itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
3150
3151A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
3152include before including F<ev.h>:
3153
3154 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
3155
3156This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
3157
3158 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
3159 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
3160 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
3161 ...
2130 3162
2131=head2 EXAMPLES 3163=head2 EXAMPLES
2132 3164
2133For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 3165For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2134verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 3166verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2137interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file 3169interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
2138will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header 3170will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
2139file. 3171file.
2140 3172
2141The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 3173The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2142that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices: 3174that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2143 3175
3176 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2144 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 3177 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2145 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0 3178 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2146 #define EV_PERIODICS 0 3179 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
3180 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
3181 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2147 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 3182 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3183 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3184 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2148 3185
2149 #include "ev++.h" 3186 #include "ev++.h"
2150 3187
2151And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 3188And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2152 3189
2153 #include "ev_cpp.h" 3190 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2154 #include "ev.c" 3191 #include "ev.c"
3192
3193
3194=head1 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3195
3196=head2 THREADS
3197
3198Libev itself is completely thread-safe, but it uses no locking. This
3199means that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as
3200only one thread ever calls into one libev function with the same loop
3201parameter.
3202
3203Or put differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done in
3204parallel from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter must be
3205done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as only one
3206thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using a mutex
3207per loop).
3208
3209If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
3210without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
3211help you. I can give some generic advice however:
3212
3213=over 4
3214
3215=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
3216in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
3217
3218This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
3219themselves and don't care/know about threading.
3220
3221=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
3222
3223Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
3224exists, but it is always a good start.
3225
3226=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
3227loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
3228
3229Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
3230better than you currently do :-)
3231
3232=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
3233event loop - C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other
3234threads safely (or from signal contexts...).
3235
3236=back
3237
3238=head2 COROUTINES
3239
3240Libev is much more accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3241libev fully supports nesting calls to it's functions from different
3242coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
3243different coroutines and switch freely between both coroutines running the
3244loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
3245you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3246
3247Care has been invested into making sure that libev does not keep local
3248state inside C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow coroutine
3249switches.
2155 3250
2156 3251
2157=head1 COMPLEXITIES 3252=head1 COMPLEXITIES
2158 3253
2159In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 3254In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2160libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 3255libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2161documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 3256documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2162 3257
3258All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
3259extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
3260happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
3261mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
3262it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
3263
2163=over 4 3264=over 4
2164 3265
2165=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 3266=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2166 3267
3268This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
3269there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
3270have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
3271
2167=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 3272=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2168 3273
3274That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
3275as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
3276
2169=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 3277=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2170 3278
3279These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
3280
2171=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 3281=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2172 3282
2173=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 3283=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2174 3284
3285These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
3286correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
3287have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
3288
2175=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 3289=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
3290
3291By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
3292fixed position in the storage array.
2176 3293
2177=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 3294=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2178 3295
2179=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 3296A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
3297libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
3298on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
3299
3300=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
3301
3302=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
3303
3304Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
3305priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
3306linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
3307watchers becomes O(1) w.r.t. priority handling.
3308
3309=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
3310
3311=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3312
3313=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3314
3315Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3316calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
3317involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2180 3318
2181=back 3319=back
2182 3320
2183 3321
3322=head1 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
3323
3324Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3325requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3326model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3327the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3328descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3329e.g. cygwin.
3330
3331Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3332re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
3333things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
3334way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3335
3336There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3337embedding it into other applications.
3338
3339Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3340accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3341either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3342so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3343megabyte seems safe, but thsi apparently depends on the amount of memory
3344available).
3345
3346Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
3347the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3348is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3349more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3350different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3351notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3352(Microsoft monopoly games).
3353
3354A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3355section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3356of F<ev.h>:
3357
3358 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
3359 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
3360
3361 #include "ev.h"
3362
3363And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
3364you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded soruce files!):
3365
3366 #include "evwrap.h"
3367 #include "ev.c"
3368
3369=over 4
3370
3371=item The winsocket select function
3372
3373The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3374requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3375also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3376requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3377C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
3378discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
3379C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
3380
3381The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
3382libraries and raw winsocket select is:
3383
3384 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3385 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3386
3387Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3388complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3389
3390=item Limited number of file descriptors
3391
3392Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3393
3394Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3395of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3396can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3397recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3398previous thread in each. Great).
3399
3400Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3401to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3402call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own
3403select emulation on windows).
3404
3405Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3406libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish
3407or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling
3408C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another
3409arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime
3410libraries.
3411
3412This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on
3413windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to
3414wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of
3415calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3416
3417=back
3418
3419
3420=head1 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3421
3422In addition to a working ISO-C implementation, libev relies on a few
3423additional extensions:
3424
3425=over 4
3426
3427=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
3428calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
3429
3430Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3431structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3432assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3433callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3434calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
3435
3436=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3437
3438The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3439C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic w.r.t. accesses from different
3440threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
3441believed to be sufficiently portable.
3442
3443=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
3444
3445Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
3446allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
3447pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
3448thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
3449be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
3450C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
3451
3452The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
3453except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
3454well.
3455
3456=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
3457
3458To improve portability and simplify using libev, libev uses C<long>
3459internally instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On
3460non-POSIX systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but
3461is still at least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of
3462millions of watchers.
3463
3464=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3465
3466The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3467have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
3468enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
3469implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones).
3470
3471=back
3472
3473If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3474
3475
3476=head1 COMPILER WARNINGS
3477
3478Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3479lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3480scared by this.
3481
3482However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
3483has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
3484warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
3485targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
3486
3487Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
3488workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
3489maintainable.
3490
3491And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3492wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3493seems to warn about).
3494
3495While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3496"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3497with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
3498them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
3499warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
3500
3501
3502=head1 VALGRIND
3503
3504Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
3505highly useful, but valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
3506
3507If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
3508in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
3509
3510 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3511 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3512 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3513
3514Then there is no memory leak. Similarly, under some circumstances,
3515valgrind might report kernel bugs as if it were a bug in libev, or it
3516might be confused (it is a very good tool, but only a tool).
3517
3518If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
3519with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this is
3520a bug in libev. However, don't be annoyed when you get a brisk "this is
3521no bug" answer and take the chance of learning how to interpret valgrind
3522properly.
3523
3524If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
3525I suggest using suppression lists.
3526
3527
2184=head1 AUTHOR 3528=head1 AUTHOR
2185 3529
2186Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 3530Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
2187 3531

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