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Revision 1.200 by root, Thu Oct 23 07:33:45 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.221 by root, Wed Dec 3 15:23:44 2008 UTC

8 8
9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required 11 // a single header file is required
12 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
13
14 #include <stdio.h> // for puts
13 15
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct 16 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_TYPE 17 // with the name ev_TYPE
16 ev_io stdin_watcher; 18 ev_io stdin_watcher;
17 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 19 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
41 43
42 int 44 int
43 main (void) 45 main (void)
44 { 46 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46 ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
47 49
48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
298If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 300If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
299function. 301function.
300 302
301Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 303Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
302from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 304from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
303as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway). 305as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
304 306
305The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 307The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
306C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 308C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
307for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either 309for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
308create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 310create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
384=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 386=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
385 387
386For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 388For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
387but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 389but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
388like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 390like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
389epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number 391epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
390of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect 392
391cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad 393The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
392support for dup. 394of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
395dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
396descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
397so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
398I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
399take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
400hard to detect.
401
402Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
403of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
404I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
405even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
406on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
407employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
408events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
393 409
394While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 410While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
395will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident 411will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
396(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 412incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
397best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work 413I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
398very well if you register events for both fds. 414file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
399 415file descriptors.
400Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
401need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
402(or space) is available.
403 416
404Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all 417Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
405watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, 418watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
406i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and 419i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
407starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause 420starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
408extra overhead. 421extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
422as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
423take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
424
425All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
426faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
427the usage. So sad.
409 428
410While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 429While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
411all kernel versions tested so far. 430all kernel versions tested so far.
412 431
413This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 432This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
414C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 433C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
415 434
416=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 435=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
417 436
418Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was 437Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
419broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with 438was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
420anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's 439with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
421completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless 440it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
422you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or 441is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
423libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD. 442without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
443"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
444C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
445system like NetBSD.
424 446
425You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 447You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
426only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 448only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
427the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 449the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
428 450
429It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 451It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
430kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 452kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
431course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 453course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
432cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 454cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
433two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it 455two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
434drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases. 456sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
457cases
435 458
436This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 459This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
437 460
438While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 461While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
439everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 462everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
468might perform better. 491might perform better.
469 492
470On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 493On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
471notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification 494notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
472in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 495in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
473OS-specific backends. 496OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
474 497
475This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 498This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
476C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 499C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
477 500
478=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 501=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
531responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> 554responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
532calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 555calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
533the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 556the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
534for example). 557for example).
535 558
536Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by 559Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
537this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers) 560handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
538would need to be stopped manually. 561as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
539 562
540In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 563In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
541rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 564rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
542pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 565pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
543C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>). 566C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>).
635the loop. 658the loop.
636 659
637A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 660A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
638necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It 661necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
639will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could 662will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
640be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a 663be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
641user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one 664user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
642iteration of the loop. 665iteration of the loop.
643 666
644This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 667This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
645with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 668with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
1043The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1066The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1044always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1067always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1045 1068
1046Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1069Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1047fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1070fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1048or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range. 1071or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1049 1072
1050=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1073=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1051 1074
1052Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1075Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1053C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1076C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
1398 else 1421 else
1399 { 1422 {
1400 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1423 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1401 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1424 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1402 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1425 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1403 w->again = timeout - now; 1426 w->repeat = timeout - now;
1404 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1427 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1405 } 1428 }
1406 } 1429 }
1407 1430
1408To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1431To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1910 1933
1911 1934
1912=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 1935=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1913 1936
1914This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 1937This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1915C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 1938C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1916compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 1939and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
1940it did.
1917 1941
1918The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 1942The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1919not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 1943not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1920not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 1944exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1921otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 1945C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1922the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 1946least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
1947contents.
1923 1948
1924The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 1949The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
1950C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1925relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 1951your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1926 1952
1927Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable 1953Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1928implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if 1954portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1929it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for 1955to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1930this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) 1956interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1931then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which 1957recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1932you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change 1958(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1933dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently 1959change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1934around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill. 1960currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1935 1961
1936This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 1962This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1937as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 1963as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1938resource-intensive. 1964resource-intensive.
1939 1965
1940At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented 1966At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1941is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as 1967is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1942an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way 1968exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1943of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue). 1969implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1944 1970
1945=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support) 1971=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1946 1972
1947Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default 1973Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1948compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file 1974compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1949support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat 1975support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1950structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to 1976structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1951use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to 1977use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1952compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is 1978compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1953obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is 1979obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1954most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support. 1980most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1955 1981
1956The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large 1982The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1957file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not 1983file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1958optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has 1984optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1959to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the 1985to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1960default compilation environment. 1986default compilation environment.
1961 1987
1962=head3 Inotify and Kqueue 1988=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1963 1989
1964When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally 1990When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1965only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier 1991runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1966implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up 1992inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1967change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created 1993watcher is being started.
1968lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1969 1994
1970Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers 1995Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1971except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid 1996except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1972making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support 1997making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1973there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling, 1998there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1974but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling. 1999but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
2000many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
2001a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
2002xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1975 2003
1976There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to 2004There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1977implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file 2005implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1978descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks 2006descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1979etc. is difficult. 2007etc. is difficult.
1980 2008
2009=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
2010
2011Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
2012the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2013()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2014
2015For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2016busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2017as the path data is suually in memory already (except when starting the
2018watcher).
2019
2020For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2021time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2022often takes multiple milliseconds.
2023
2024Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
2025paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
2026
1981=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution 2027=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1982 2028
1983The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and 2029The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1984even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still 2030and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1985only support whole seconds. 2031still only support whole seconds.
1986 2032
1987That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can 2033That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1988easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and 2034easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1989calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update 2035calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1990within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the 2036within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
2629=over 4 2675=over 4
2630 2676
2631=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback) 2677=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2632 2678
2633Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any 2679Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2634kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2680kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2635trust me. 2681trust me.
2636 2682
2637=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 2683=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2638 2684
2639Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 2685Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2845 2891
2846 myclass obj; 2892 myclass obj;
2847 ev::io iow; 2893 ev::io iow;
2848 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2894 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2849 2895
2896=item w->set (object *)
2897
2898This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
2899
2900This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
2901will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
2902functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
2903the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
2904list.
2905
2906The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
2907int revents)>.
2908
2909See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2910
2911Example: use a functor object as callback.
2912
2913 struct myfunctor
2914 {
2915 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
2916 {
2917 ...
2918 }
2919 }
2920
2921 myfunctor f;
2922
2923 ev::io w;
2924 w.set (&f);
2925
2850=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 2926=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2851 2927
2852Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 2928Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2853callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 2929callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2854C<data> member and is free for you to use. 2930C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2953Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset 3029Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2954of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 3030of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2955more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at 3031more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2956L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 3032L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2957 3033
3034Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
3035makes rev work even on mingw.
3036
2958=item D 3037=item D
2959 3038
2960Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 3039Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2961be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 3040be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
3041
3042=item Ocaml
3043
3044Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3045L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
2962 3046
2963=back 3047=back
2964 3048
2965 3049
2966=head1 MACRO MAGIC 3050=head1 MACRO MAGIC
3067 3151
3068 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3152 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
3069 #include "ev.h" 3153 #include "ev.h"
3070 3154
3071Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3155Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
3072compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3156compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
3073as a bug). 3157as a bug).
3074 3158
3075You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3159You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
3076in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3160in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
3077 3161
3133keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 3217keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3134implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 3218implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3135supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 3219supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3136F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3220F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3137 3221
3222In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3223configuration, but has to be more conservative.
3224
3138=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3225=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3139 3226
3140If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3227If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3141monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use 3228monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3142of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3229use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
3143usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3230you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
3144the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 3231when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
3145to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3232to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
3146function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3233function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3147 3234
3148=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3235=item EV_USE_REALTIME
3149 3236
3150If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3237If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3151real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at 3238real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
3152runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will 3239runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
3153be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3240be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
3154(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 3241(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
3155note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3242note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
3156 3243
3244=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
3245
3246If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
3247of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
3248exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
3249unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
3250programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
3251theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
3252the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
3253higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3254
3157=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 3255=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3158 3256
3159If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 3257If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3160and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 3258and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3161 3259
3176 3274
3177=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3275=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3178 3276
3179If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3277If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3180structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3278structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3181C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on 3279C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3182exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3280on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3183low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3281some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3184allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3282only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3185influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3283configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3186 3284
3187=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 3285=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3188 3286
3189When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 3287When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3190select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 3288select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
3549loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that 3647loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that
3550you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 3648you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3551 3649
3552Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside 3650Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3553C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as 3651C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3554they do not clal any callbacks. 3652they do not call any callbacks.
3555 3653
3556=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS 3654=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3557 3655
3558Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a 3656Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3559lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently 3657lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3593 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 3691 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3594 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 3692 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3595 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks. 3693 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3596 3694
3597Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables 3695Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3598is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak. 3696is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3599 3697
3600Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs 3698Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3601as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend, 3699as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3602although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be 3700although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3603confused. 3701confused.
3841=back 3939=back
3842 3940
3843 3941
3844=head1 AUTHOR 3942=head1 AUTHOR
3845 3943
3846Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 3944Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
3847 3945

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