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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;
24 puts ("stdin ready"); 26 puts ("stdin ready");
25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26 // with its corresponding stop function. 28 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28 30
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 31 // this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 32 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
31 } 33 }
32 34
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out 35 // another callback, this time for a time-out
34 static void 36 static void
35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36 { 38 {
37 puts ("timeout"); 39 puts ("timeout");
38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 40 // this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 41 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
40 } 42 }
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;
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);
54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57 59
58 // now wait for events to arrive 60 // now wait for events to arrive
59 ev_loop (loop, 0); 61 ev_run (loop, 0);
60 62
61 // unloop was called, so exit 63 // unloop was called, so exit
62 return 0; 64 return 0;
63 } 65 }
64 66
65=head1 DESCRIPTION 67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68
69This document documents the libev software package.
66 70
67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted 71The 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 72web 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>. 73time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
74
75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
76libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
78with libev.
79
80Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document.
82
83=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
70 84
71Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 85Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 86file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73these event sources and provide your program with events. 87these event sources and provide your program with events.
74 88
84=head2 FEATURES 98=head2 FEATURES
85 99
86Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 100Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
87BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 101BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 102for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 103(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
90with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals 104inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
91(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event 105timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
92watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, 106(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
93C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as 107change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
94file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events 108loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
95(C<ev_fork>). 109C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
110limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
96 111
97It also is quite fast (see this 112It also is quite fast (see this
98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 113L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
99for example). 114for example).
100 115
103Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common) 118Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
104configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For 119configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
105more info about various configuration options please have a look at 120more info about various configuration options please have a look at
106B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support 121B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
107for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of 122for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have 123name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument. 124this argument.
110 125
111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112 127
113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 129the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 130somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 131ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 132too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
118it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name 133any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
134
119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 135Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
120throughout libev. 136time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
121 137
122=head1 ERROR HANDLING 138=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123 139
124Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors 140Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125and internal errors (bugs). 141and internal errors (bugs).
149 165
150=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 166=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
151 167
152Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 168Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
153C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 169C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
154you actually want to know. 170you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
171C<ev_update_now> and C<ev_now>.
155 172
156=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 173=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
157 174
158Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 175Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
159either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 176either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
176as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 193as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
177compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 194compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
178not a problem. 195not a problem.
179 196
180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 197Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
181version. 198version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
199such as LFS or reentrancy).
182 200
183 assert (("libev version mismatch", 201 assert (("libev version mismatch",
184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 202 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 203 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
186 204
197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 215 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 216 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
199 217
200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 218=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
201 219
202Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 220Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 221also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
222descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
204returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 223C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it 224and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
206(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 225you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 226probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
208 227
209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 228=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
210 229
211Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This 230Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
212is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends 231value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
213might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at 232current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 233the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
215recommended ones. 234& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
216 235
217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 236See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
218 237
219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT] 238=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
220 239
274 ... 293 ...
275 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 294 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
276 295
277=back 296=back
278 297
279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 298=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
280 299
281An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> 300An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
282is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop> 301I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
283I<function>). 302libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
284 303
285The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which 304The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
286supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do 305supports signals and child events, and dynamically created event loops
287not. 306which do not.
288 307
289=over 4 308=over 4
290 309
291=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 310=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
292 311
293This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 312This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
294yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 313normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
295false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 314the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
296flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 315C<ev_loop_new>.
316
317If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
318returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
319C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
320flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
321one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
297 322
298If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 323If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
299function. 324function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
300 325
301Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 326Note 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, 327from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
303as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway). 328that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
329threads anyway).
304 330
305The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 331The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
306C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 332and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
307for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either 333a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
308create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 334C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
309can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 335C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
310C<ev_default_init>. 336
337Example: This is the most typical usage.
338
339 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
340 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
341
342Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
343environment settings to be taken into account:
344
345 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
346
347=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
348
349This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
350could not be initialised, returns false.
351
352Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
353libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
354default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
311 355
312The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 356The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
313backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 357backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
314 358
315The following flags are supported: 359The following flags are supported:
330useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 374useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
331around bugs. 375around bugs.
332 376
333=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 377=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
334 378
335Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after 379Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
336a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by 380make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
337enabling this flag.
338 381
339This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 382This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
340and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 383and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
341iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 384iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
342GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 385GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
348flag. 391flag.
349 392
350This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 393This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
351environment variable. 394environment variable.
352 395
396=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
397
398When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
399I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
400testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
401otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
402
403=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
404
405When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
406I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
407delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
408it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
409handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
410threads that are not interested in handling them.
411
412Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
413there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
414example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
415
353=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 416=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
354 417
355This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 418This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
356libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 419libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
357but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 420but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
381This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and 444This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
382C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>. 445C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
383 446
384=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 447=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
385 448
449Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
450kernels).
451
386For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 452For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
387but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 453but 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), 454like 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 455epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
390of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect
391cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad
392support for dup.
393 456
457The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
458of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
459dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
460descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
461so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
462I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
463take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
464hard to detect.
465
394Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds should work, but 466Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
395of course doesn't, and epoll just loves to report events for totally 467of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
396I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones) than registered 468I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
397in the set (especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these 469even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
398spurious notifications by employing an additional generation counter and 470on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
399comparing that against the events to filter out spurious ones. 471employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
472events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last
473not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
474perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
400 475
401While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 476While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
402will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident 477will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
403(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 478incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
404best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work 479I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
405very well if you register events for both fds. 480file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
481file descriptors.
406 482
407Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all 483Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
408watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, 484watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
409i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and 485i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
410starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause 486starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
411extra overhead. 487extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
488as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
489take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
490
491All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
492faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
493the usage. So sad.
412 494
413While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 495While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
414all kernel versions tested so far. 496all kernel versions tested so far.
415 497
416This 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
417C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 499C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
418 500
419=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 501=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
420 502
421Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was 503Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
422broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with 504was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
423anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's 505with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
424completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless 506it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
425you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or 507is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
426libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD. 508without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
509"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
510C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
511system like NetBSD.
427 512
428You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 513You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
429only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 514only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
430the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 515the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
431 516
432It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 517It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
433kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 518kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
434course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 519course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
435cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 520cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
436two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it 521two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
437drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases. 522sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
523cases
438 524
439This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 525This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
440 526
441While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 527While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
442everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 528everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
443almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets 529almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
444(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop 530(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
445(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it, 531(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
446using it only for sockets. 532also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
447 533
448This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with 534This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
449C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with 535C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
450C<NOTE_EOF>. 536C<NOTE_EOF>.
451 537
471might perform better. 557might perform better.
472 558
473On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 559On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
474notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification 560notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
475in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 561in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
476OS-specific backends. 562OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
477 563
478This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 564This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
479C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 565C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
480 566
481=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 567=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
486 572
487It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 573It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
488 574
489=back 575=back
490 576
491If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these 577If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
492backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are 578then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
493specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried. 579here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
494 580()> will be tried.
495Example: This is the most typical usage.
496
497 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
498 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
499
500Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
501environment settings to be taken into account:
502
503 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
504
505Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
506used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
507private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
508fds):
509
510 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
511
512=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
513
514Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
515always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
516handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
517undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
518
519Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
520libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
521default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
522 581
523Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 582Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
524 583
525 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 584 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
526 if (!epoller) 585 if (!epoller)
527 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 586 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
528 587
588Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
589used if available.
590
591 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
592
529=item ev_default_destroy () 593=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
530 594
531Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 595Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
532etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 596etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
533sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 597sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
534responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> 598responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
535calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 599calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
536the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 600the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
538 602
539Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal 603Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
540handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such 604handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
541as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually. 605as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
542 606
543In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 607This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
544rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 608C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
609C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
610
611Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
612except in the rare occasion where you really need to free it's resources.
545pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 613If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
546C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>). 614and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
547 615
548=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 616=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
549 617
550Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
551earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
552
553=item ev_default_fork ()
554
555This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations 618This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to
556to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 619reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
557name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 620name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
558the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little 621the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the
559sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev 622child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
560functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration. 623
624Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
625a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
626because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
627during fork.
561 628
562On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 629On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
563process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If 630process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
564you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all. 631you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
632call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
633difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
634costly reset of the backend).
565 635
566The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 636The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
567it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 637it just in case after a fork.
568quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
569 638
639Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
640using pthreads.
641
642 static void
643 post_fork_child (void)
644 {
645 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
646 }
647
648 ...
570 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 649 pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
571
572=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
573
574Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
575C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
576after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
577entirely your own problem.
578 650
579=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 651=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
580 652
581Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false 653Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
582otherwise. 654otherwise.
583 655
584=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 656=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
585 657
586Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 658Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
587the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 659to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
588happily wraps around with enough iterations. 660and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
589 661
590This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 662This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
591"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 663"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
592C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls. 664C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
665prepare and check phases.
666
667=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
668
669Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
670times C<ev_run> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
671
672Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
673C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
674in which case it is higher.
675
676Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
677etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such
678ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really convenient.
593 679
594=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 680=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
595 681
596Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 682Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
597use. 683use.
606 692
607=item ev_now_update (loop) 693=item ev_now_update (loop)
608 694
609Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time 695Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
610returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and 696returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
611is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>. 697is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
612 698
613This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a 699This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
614very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of 700very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
615the current time is a good idea. 701the current time is a good idea.
616 702
617See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section. 703See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
618 704
705=item ev_suspend (loop)
706
707=item ev_resume (loop)
708
709These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
710loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
711
712A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
713the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
714would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
715the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
716in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
717C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
718
719Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
720between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
721will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
722occurred while suspended).
723
724After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
725given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
726without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
727
728Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
729event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
730
619=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 731=item ev_run (loop, int flags)
620 732
621Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 733Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
622after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 734after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
623events. 735handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
736the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
737is why event loops are called I<loops>.
624 738
625If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 739If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
626either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 740until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
741called.
627 742
628Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 743Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
629relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 744relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
630finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 745finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
631that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 746that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
632of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 747of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
633beauty. 748beauty.
634 749
635A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 750A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
636those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your 751those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
637process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of 752block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
638the loop. 753iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
754events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
639 755
640A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 756A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
641necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It 757necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
642will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could 758will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
643be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a 759be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
644user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one 760user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
645iteration of the loop. 761iteration of the loop.
646 762
647This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 763This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
648with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 764with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
649own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 765own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
650usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 766usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
651 767
652Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 768Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:
653 769
770 - Increment loop depth.
771 - Reset the ev_break status.
654 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 772 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
773 LOOP:
655 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 774 - If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
656 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers. 775 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
657 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 776 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
777 - If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
658 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state 778 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
659 as to not disturb the other process. 779 as to not disturb the other process.
660 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 780 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
661 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()). 781 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
662 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 782 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
663 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 783 (active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
664 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 784 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
665 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 785 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
786 - Increment loop iteration counter.
666 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 787 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
667 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 788 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
668 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments. 789 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
669 - Queue all expired timers. 790 - Queue all expired timers.
670 - Queue all expired periodics. 791 - Queue all expired periodics.
671 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 792 - Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
672 - Queue all check watchers. 793 - Queue all check watchers.
673 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 794 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
674 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 795 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
675 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 796 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
676 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 797 - If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
677 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise 798 were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
678 continue with step *. 799 continue with step LOOP.
800 FINISH:
801 - Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
802 - Decrement the loop depth.
803 - Return.
679 804
680Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding 805Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
681anymore. 806anymore.
682 807
683 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 808 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
684 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 809 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
685 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 810 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
686 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 811 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
687 812
688=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 813=item ev_break (loop, how)
689 814
690Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 815Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
691has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 816has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
692C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 817C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
693C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 818C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
694 819
695This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 820This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_run> again.
696 821
697It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls. 822It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls. ##TODO##
698 823
699=item ev_ref (loop) 824=item ev_ref (loop)
700 825
701=item ev_unref (loop) 826=item ev_unref (loop)
702 827
703Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 828Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
704loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 829loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
705count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. 830count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
706 831
707If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> 832This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
708from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before 833unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
834returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
709stopping it. 835before stopping it.
710 836
711As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is 837As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
712not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting 838is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
713if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 839exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
714way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 840excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
715libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop> 841third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
716(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before, 842before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
717respectively). 843before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
844(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
845in the callback).
718 846
719Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 847Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
720running when nothing else is active. 848running when nothing else is active.
721 849
722 ev_signal exitsig; 850 ev_signal exitsig;
723 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 851 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
724 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 852 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
751 879
752By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 880By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
753time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 881time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
754at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 882at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
755C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 883C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
756introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. 884introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
885sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
886once per this interval, on average.
757 887
758Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 888Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
759to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 889to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
760latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called 890latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
761later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null 891later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
763 893
764Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect 894Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
765interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for 895interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
766interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It 896interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
767usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 897usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
768as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. 898as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
899you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
900parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
901need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
902then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
769 903
770Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for 904Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
771saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that 905saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
772are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of 906are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
773times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to 907times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
774reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure 908reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
775they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only. 909they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
776 910
911Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
912more often than 100 times per second:
913
914 ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
915 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
916
917=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
918
919This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
920pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
921but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
922function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
923when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
924event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
925thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
926
927=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
928
929Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
930are pending.
931
932=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
933
934This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
935invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
936this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
937invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
938
939If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
940callback.
941
942=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
943
944Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
945can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
946each call to a libev function.
947
948However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
949to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
950loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these
951I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
952
953When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
954suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
955afterwards.
956
957Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
958C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
959
960While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
961C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
962modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
963have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
964waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
965to take note of any changes you made.
966
967In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
968invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
969
970See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
971document.
972
973=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
974
975=item ev_userdata (loop)
976
977Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
978C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
979C<0.>
980
981These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
982and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
983C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
984any other purpose as well.
985
777=item ev_loop_verify (loop) 986=item ev_verify (loop)
778 987
779This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been 988This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
780compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go 989compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
781through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything 990through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
782is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard 991is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
793 1002
794In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the 1003In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
795watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer 1004watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
796watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers. 1005watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
797 1006
798A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 1007A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
799interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 1008your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
800become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 1009to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
1010for that:
801 1011
802 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1012 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
803 { 1013 {
804 ev_io_stop (w); 1014 ev_io_stop (w);
805 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1015 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
806 } 1016 }
807 1017
808 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 1018 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
809 1019
810 ev_io stdin_watcher; 1020 ev_io stdin_watcher;
811 1021
812 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 1022 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
813 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1023 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
814 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 1024 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
815 1025
816 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1026 ev_run (loop, 0);
817 1027
818As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 1028As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
819watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the 1029watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
820stack). 1030stack).
821 1031
822Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE> 1032Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
823or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs). 1033or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
824 1034
825Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1035Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
826(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1036*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
827callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O 1037invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
828watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1038time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
829is readable and/or writable). 1039and/or writable).
830 1040
831Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >> 1041Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
832macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There 1042macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
833is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< 1043is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
834ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1044ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
857=item C<EV_WRITE> 1067=item C<EV_WRITE>
858 1068
859The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or 1069The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
860writable. 1070writable.
861 1071
862=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> 1072=item C<EV_TIMER>
863 1073
864The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out. 1074The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
865 1075
866=item C<EV_PERIODIC> 1076=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
867 1077
885 1095
886=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1096=item C<EV_PREPARE>
887 1097
888=item C<EV_CHECK> 1098=item C<EV_CHECK>
889 1099
890All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts 1100All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts
891to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1101to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after
892C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1102C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any
893received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1103received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
894many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1104many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
895(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1105(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
896C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1106C<ev_run> from blocking).
897 1107
898=item C<EV_EMBED> 1108=item C<EV_EMBED>
899 1109
900The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1110The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
901 1111
905C<ev_fork>). 1115C<ev_fork>).
906 1116
907=item C<EV_ASYNC> 1117=item C<EV_ASYNC>
908 1118
909The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 1119The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1120
1121=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
1122
1123Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
1124by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
910 1125
911=item C<EV_ERROR> 1126=item C<EV_ERROR>
912 1127
913An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might 1128An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
914happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 1129happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
927programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another 1142programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
928thing, so beware. 1143thing, so beware.
929 1144
930=back 1145=back
931 1146
1147=head2 WATCHER STATES
1148
1149There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1150active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1151transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1152rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1153
1154=over 4
1155
1156=item initialiased
1157
1158Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be
1159initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1160C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1161
1162In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use
1163in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will.
1164
1165=item started/running/active
1166
1167Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1168property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1169this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
1170freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
1171and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
1172
1173=item pending
1174
1175If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
1176in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
1177stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
1178about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
1179callback.
1180
1181The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
1182an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
1183is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
1184but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
1185moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
1186previous item still apply.
1187
1188It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
1189via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
1190active.
1191
1192=item stopped
1193
1194A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
1195be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
1196latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1197of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1198freeing it is often a good idea.
1199
1200While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1201initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1202you wish.
1203
1204=back
1205
932=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 1206=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
933 1207
934=over 4 1208=over 4
935 1209
936=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1210=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
952 1226
953 ev_io w; 1227 ev_io w;
954 ev_init (&w, my_cb); 1228 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
955 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1229 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
956 1230
957=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1231=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
958 1232
959This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1233This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
960call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1234call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
961call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1235call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
962macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1236macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
975 1249
976Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step. 1250Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
977 1251
978 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1252 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
979 1253
980=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1254=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
981 1255
982Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1256Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
983events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1257events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
984 1258
985Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this 1259Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
986whole section. 1260whole section.
987 1261
988 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w); 1262 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
989 1263
990=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1264=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
991 1265
992Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether 1266Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
993the watcher was active or not). 1267the watcher was active or not).
994 1268
995It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example, 1269It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
1020=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1294=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1021 1295
1022Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1296Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1023(modulo threads). 1297(modulo threads).
1024 1298
1025=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1299=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1026 1300
1027=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1301=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1028 1302
1029Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1303Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1030integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1304integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1031(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked 1305(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
1032before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers 1306before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
1033from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers). 1307from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
1034 1308
1035This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
1036invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
1037example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
1038watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
1039
1040If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending 1309If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
1041you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality. 1310you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
1042 1311
1043You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or 1312You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
1044pending. 1313pending.
1045
1046The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1047always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1048 1314
1049Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1315Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1050fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1316fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1051or might not have been clamped to the valid range. 1317or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1318
1319The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1320always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1321
1322See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1323priorities.
1052 1324
1053=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1325=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1054 1326
1055Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1327Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1056C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1328C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
1063returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the 1335returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
1064watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1336watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1065 1337
1066Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its 1338Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1067callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function. 1339callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1340
1341=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1342
1343Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1344had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1345initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1346not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1347
1348Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1349C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1350not started in the first place.
1351
1352See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1353functions that do not need a watcher.
1068 1354
1069=back 1355=back
1070 1356
1071 1357
1072=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1358=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
1121 #include <stddef.h> 1407 #include <stddef.h>
1122 1408
1123 static void 1409 static void
1124 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1410 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1125 { 1411 {
1126 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1412 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1127 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1413 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1128 } 1414 }
1129 1415
1130 static void 1416 static void
1131 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1417 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1132 { 1418 {
1133 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1419 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1134 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1420 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1135 } 1421 }
1422
1423=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1424
1425Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1426integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1427between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1428
1429In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1430description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1431range.
1432
1433There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1434by event loops:
1435
1436In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
1437of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
1438watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
1439
1440The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
1441callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
1442watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
1443before polling for new events.
1444
1445Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
1446except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
1447
1448The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
1449watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
1450libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
1451their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
1452common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
1453priority ones.
1454
1455Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
1456watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
1457C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
1458timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
1459other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
1460handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
1461the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
1462handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
1463always, what you want).
1464
1465Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
1466will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
1467received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
1468required.
1469
1470For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1471you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1472the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1473processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1474continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1475the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1476workable.
1477
1478Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1479miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1480it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
1481idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
1482the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
1483
1484Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
1485priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
1486other events are pending:
1487
1488 ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
1489 ev_io io; // actual event watcher
1490
1491 static void
1492 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1493 {
1494 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1495 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1496 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1497
1498 // start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
1499 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1500 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1501 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1502 }
1503
1504 static void
1505 idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1506 {
1507 // actual processing
1508 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
1509
1510 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as
1511 // we have handled the event
1512 ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
1513 }
1514
1515 // initialisation
1516 ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
1517 ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1518 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
1519
1520In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
1521low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
1522enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
1523during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
1524important ones.
1136 1525
1137 1526
1138=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1527=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1139 1528
1140This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1529This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
1166descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1555descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1167required if you know what you are doing). 1556required if you know what you are doing).
1168 1557
1169If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a 1558If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1170known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only 1559known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1171C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 1560C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1561descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1562files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
1172 1563
1173Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1564Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1174receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1565receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1175be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1566be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1176because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1567because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1241 1632
1242So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you 1633So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1243ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon 1634ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1244somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue). 1635somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1245 1636
1637=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
1638
1639Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
1640found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
1641connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
1642
1643For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
1644of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
1645rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
1646the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
1647typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
1648
1649Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
1650operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
1651situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
1652cope with overload is known (to me).
1653
1654One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
1655- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
1656situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
1657event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
1658
1659A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
1660C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
1661messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
1662what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
1663the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
1664usage.
1665
1666If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
1667descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
1668when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
1669close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
1670clients under typical overload conditions.
1671
1672The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
1673is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
1674opportunity for a DoS attack.
1246 1675
1247=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1676=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1248 1677
1249=over 4 1678=over 4
1250 1679
1282 ... 1711 ...
1283 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1712 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1284 ev_io stdin_readable; 1713 ev_io stdin_readable;
1285 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1714 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1286 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1715 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1287 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1716 ev_run (loop, 0);
1288 1717
1289 1718
1290=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1719=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1291 1720
1292Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1721Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1297year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because 1726year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1298detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1727detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1299monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1728monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1300 1729
1301The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1730The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1302passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration 1731passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1303then order of execution is undefined. 1732might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
1733same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
1734before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
1735no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1304 1736
1305=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1737=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1306 1738
1307Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1739Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1308recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1740recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1352C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat> 1784C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1353member and C<ev_timer_again>. 1785member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1354 1786
1355At start: 1787At start:
1356 1788
1357 ev_timer_init (timer, callback); 1789 ev_init (timer, callback);
1358 timer->repeat = 60.; 1790 timer->repeat = 60.;
1359 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1791 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1360 1792
1361Each time there is some activity: 1793Each time there is some activity:
1362 1794
1394 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.; 1826 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1395 1827
1396 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out 1828 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1397 if (timeout < now) 1829 if (timeout < now)
1398 { 1830 {
1399 // timeout occured, take action 1831 // timeout occurred, take action
1400 } 1832 }
1401 else 1833 else
1402 { 1834 {
1403 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1835 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1404 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1836 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1405 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1837 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1406 w->again = timeout - now; 1838 w->repeat = timeout - now;
1407 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1839 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1408 } 1840 }
1409 } 1841 }
1410 1842
1411To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1843To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1424 1856
1425To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity> 1857To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1426to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 1858to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1427callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 1859callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1428 1860
1429 ev_timer_init (timer, callback); 1861 ev_init (timer, callback);
1430 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1862 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1431 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT); 1863 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1432 1864
1433And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 1865And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1434C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 1866C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1435 1867
1436 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop); 1868 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1437 1869
1438This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the 1870This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1439time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient. 1871time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1440 1872
1441Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the 1873Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1479 1911
1480=head3 The special problem of time updates 1912=head3 The special problem of time updates
1481 1913
1482Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 1914Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1483least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 1915least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1484time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a 1916time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1485growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 1917growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1486lots of events in one iteration. 1918lots of events in one iteration.
1487 1919
1488The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1920The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1489time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1921time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1495 1927
1496If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 1928If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1497update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 1929update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1498()>. 1930()>.
1499 1931
1932=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1933
1934When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1935can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1936
1937Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
1938all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
1939to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
1940system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
1941was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
1942towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
1943clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
1944long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
1945be adjusted accordingly.
1946
1947I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
1948operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
1949
1950The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
1951time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
1952is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
1953then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
1954will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
1955use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
1956
1957It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
1958and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
1959deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
1960C<SIGSTOP>).
1961
1500=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 1962=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1501 1963
1502=over 4 1964=over 4
1503 1965
1504=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1966=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1527If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 1989If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
1528 1990
1529If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 1991If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
1530C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 1992C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1531 1993
1532This sounds a bit complicated, see "Be smart about timeouts", above, for a 1994This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1533usage example. 1995usage example.
1996
1997=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1998
1999Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
2000then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
2001the timeout value currently configured.
2002
2003That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
2004C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
2005will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
2006roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
2007too), and so on.
1534 2008
1535=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 2009=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1536 2010
1537The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 2011The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1538or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any), 2012or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1564 } 2038 }
1565 2039
1566 ev_timer mytimer; 2040 ev_timer mytimer;
1567 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 2041 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1568 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 2042 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1569 ev_loop (loop, 0); 2043 ev_run (loop, 0);
1570 2044
1571 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 2045 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1572 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 2046 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1573 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 2047 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1574 2048
1576=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 2050=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1577 2051
1578Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 2052Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1579(and unfortunately a bit complex). 2053(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1580 2054
1581Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 2055Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1582but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 2056relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1583to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 2057(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1584periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () 2058difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1585+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system 2059time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1586clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year 2060wrist-watch).
1587to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1588roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1589 2061
2062You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
2063in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
2064seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
2065not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
2066year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
2067C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
2068it, as it uses a relative timeout).
2069
1590C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, 2070C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1591such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other 2071timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1592complicated rules. 2072other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
2073those cannot react to time jumps.
1593 2074
1594As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the 2075As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1595time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 2076point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1596during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined. 2077timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
2078earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
2079(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1597 2080
1598=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2081=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1599 2082
1600=over 4 2083=over 4
1601 2084
1602=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 2085=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1603 2086
1604=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 2087=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1605 2088
1606Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 2089Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1607operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex: 2090operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1608 2091
1609=over 4 2092=over 4
1610 2093
1611=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 2094=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1612 2095
1613In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock 2096In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1614time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time 2097time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1615jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will 2098time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1616only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time. 2099will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
2100this point in time.
1617 2101
1618=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 2102=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1619 2103
1620In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 2104In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1621C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 2105C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1622and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 2106negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
2107argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1623 2108
1624This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the 2109This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1625system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each 2110system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1626hour, on the hour: 2111hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1627 2112
1628 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 2113 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1629 2114
1630This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 2115This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1631but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a 2116but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1632full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 2117full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1633by 3600. 2118by 3600.
1634 2119
1635Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2120Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1636C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2121C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1637time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2122time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1638 2123
1639For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near 2124For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
1640C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2125C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1641this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2126this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
1642 2127
1643Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2128Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1644speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2129speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1645will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2130will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1646millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2131millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1647 2132
1648=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback) 2133=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1649 2134
1650In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 2135In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1651ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 2136ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1652reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 2137reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1653current time as second argument. 2138current time as second argument.
1654 2139
1655NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 2140NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1656ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>. 2141or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
2142allowed by documentation here>.
1657 2143
1658If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop 2144If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1659it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the 2145it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1660only event loop modification you are allowed to do). 2146only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1661 2147
1691a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 2177a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1692program when the crontabs have changed). 2178program when the crontabs have changed).
1693 2179
1694=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *) 2180=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1695 2181
1696When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to 2182When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
1697trigger next. 2183to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
2184C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
2185rescheduling modes.
1698 2186
1699=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write] 2187=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1700 2188
1701When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the 2189When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1702absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>). 2190absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
2191although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1703 2192
1704Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic 2193Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1705timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 2194timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1706 2195
1707=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 2196=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1723Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2212Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1724system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2213system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1725potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability. 2214potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1726 2215
1727 static void 2216 static void
1728 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2217 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1729 { 2218 {
1730 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2219 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1731 } 2220 }
1732 2221
1733 ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2222 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1759Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2248Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1760signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2249signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1761will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2250will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1762normal event processing, like any other event. 2251normal event processing, like any other event.
1763 2252
1764If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would 2253If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
1765do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use 2254C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
1766C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop. 2255the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2256synchronously wake up an event loop.
1767 2257
1768You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 2258You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
2259only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2260default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2261C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2262the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2263
1769first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler 2264When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1770with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as 2265with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1771you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when 2266you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1772the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1773signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1774 2267
1775If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 2268If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1776C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly 2269C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1777interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by 2270not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1778signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock 2271interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1779them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 2272and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2273
2274=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2275
2276Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2277(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2278stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2279and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
2280
2281While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2282sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2283C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2284certain signals to be blocked.
2285
2286This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
2287the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
2288choice usually).
2289
2290The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2291to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2292catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2293
2294In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2295unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2296the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2297I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2298
2299So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2300you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2301is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
1780 2302
1781=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2303=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1782 2304
1783=over 4 2305=over 4
1784 2306
1800Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT. 2322Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1801 2323
1802 static void 2324 static void
1803 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents) 2325 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1804 { 2326 {
1805 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2327 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1806 } 2328 }
1807 2329
1808 ev_signal signal_watcher; 2330 ev_signal signal_watcher;
1809 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2331 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1810 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher); 2332 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1816some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or 2338some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1817exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child 2339exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1818has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long 2340has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1819as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e., 2341as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1820forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine, 2342forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1821but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is 2343but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
1822not. 2344in the next callback invocation is not.
1823 2345
1824Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore 2346Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1825you can only register child watchers in the default event loop. 2347you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1826 2348
2349Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
2350handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
2351libev)
2352
1827=head3 Process Interaction 2353=head3 Process Interaction
1828 2354
1829Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is 2355Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1830initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if 2356initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1831the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence 2357first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1832of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done 2358of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1833synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all 2359synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1834children, even ones not watched. 2360children, even ones not watched.
1835 2361
1836=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing 2362=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1846=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher 2372=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1847 2373
1848Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the 2374Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1849child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the 2375child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1850callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically 2376callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1851when a child exit is detected. 2377when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
2378problem).
1852 2379
1853=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2380=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1854 2381
1855=over 4 2382=over 4
1856 2383
1913 2440
1914 2441
1915=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 2442=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1916 2443
1917This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 2444This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1918C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 2445C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1919compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 2446and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
2447it did.
1920 2448
1921The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 2449The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1922not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 2450not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1923not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 2451exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1924otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 2452C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1925the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 2453least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
2454contents.
1926 2455
1927The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 2456The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
2457C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1928relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 2458your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1929 2459
1930Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable 2460Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1931implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if 2461portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1932it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for 2462to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1933this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) 2463interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1934then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which 2464recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1935you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change 2465(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1936dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently 2466change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1937around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill. 2467currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1938 2468
1939This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 2469This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1940as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 2470as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1941resource-intensive. 2471resource-intensive.
1942 2472
1943At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented 2473At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1944is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as 2474is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1945an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way 2475exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1946of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue). 2476implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1947 2477
1948=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support) 2478=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1949 2479
1950Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default 2480Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1951compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file 2481compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1952support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat 2482support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1953structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to 2483structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1954use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to 2484use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1955compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is 2485compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1956obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is 2486obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1957most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support. 2487most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1958 2488
1959The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large 2489The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1960file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not 2490file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1961optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has 2491optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1962to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the 2492to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1963default compilation environment. 2493default compilation environment.
1964 2494
1965=head3 Inotify and Kqueue 2495=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1966 2496
1967When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally 2497When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1968only available with Linux 2.6.25 or above due to bugs in earlier 2498runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1969implementations) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up 2499inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1970change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created 2500watcher is being started.
1971lazily when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started.
1972 2501
1973Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers 2502Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1974except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid 2503except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1975making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support 2504making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1976there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling, 2505there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1977but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling. 2506but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
2507many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
2508a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
2509xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1978 2510
1979There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to 2511There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1980implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file 2512implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1981descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks 2513descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1982etc. is difficult. 2514etc. is difficult.
1983 2515
2516=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
2517
2518Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
2519the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2520()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2521
2522For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2523busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2524as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
2525watcher).
2526
2527For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2528time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2529often takes multiple milliseconds.
2530
2531Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
2532paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
2533
1984=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution 2534=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1985 2535
1986The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and 2536The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1987even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still 2537and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1988only support whole seconds. 2538still only support whole seconds.
1989 2539
1990That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can 2540That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1991easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and 2541easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1992calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update 2542calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1993within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the 2543within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
2136 2686
2137=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2687=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2138 2688
2139=over 4 2689=over 4
2140 2690
2141=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2691=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
2142 2692
2143Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 2693Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
2144kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2694kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2145believe me. 2695believe me.
2146 2696
2159 // no longer anything immediate to do. 2709 // no longer anything immediate to do.
2160 } 2710 }
2161 2711
2162 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle)); 2712 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
2163 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2713 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
2164 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2714 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2165 2715
2166 2716
2167=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2717=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2168 2718
2169Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 2719Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
2170prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2720prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2171afterwards. 2721afterwards.
2172 2722
2173You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2723You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
2174the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2724the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
2175watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 2725watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
2176rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 2726rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
2177those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2727those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
2178C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2728C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
2262 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2812 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
2263 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2813 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
2264 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2814 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
2265 2815
2266 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2816 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
2267 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2817 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
2268 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2818 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
2269 2819
2270 // create one ev_io per pollfd 2820 // create one ev_io per pollfd
2271 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2821 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2272 { 2822 {
2346 2896
2347 if (timeout >= 0) 2897 if (timeout >= 0)
2348 // create/start timer 2898 // create/start timer
2349 2899
2350 // poll 2900 // poll
2351 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2901 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2352 2902
2353 // stop timer again 2903 // stop timer again
2354 if (timeout >= 0) 2904 if (timeout >= 0)
2355 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 2905 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2356 2906
2385some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), 2935some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2386and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In 2936and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2387this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all 2937this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2388the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2938the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2389 2939
2390As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2940As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2391there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2941time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2392call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2942must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2393their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2943sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2394loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 2944C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2395to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 2945to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2396embedded loop sweep.
2397 2946
2398As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 2947You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2399callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 2948will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2400set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2401interested in that.
2402 2949
2403Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2950Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2404when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2951is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2405but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2952embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2406yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically, 2953C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2407and future versions of libev might do just that.
2408 2954
2409Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by 2955Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2410C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2956C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2411portable one. 2957portable one.
2412 2958
2438if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2984if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2439 2985
2440=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2986=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2441 2987
2442Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2988Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2443similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2989similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2444appropriate way for embedded loops. 2990appropriate way for embedded loops.
2445 2991
2446=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 2992=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2447 2993
2448The embedded event loop. 2994The embedded event loop.
2506event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 3052event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
2507and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 3053and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
2508C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 3054C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2509handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 3055handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2510 3056
3057=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
3058
3059Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
3060up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
3061sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
3062
3063This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
3064in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
3065fork.
3066
3067The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
3068forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
3069when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
3070
3071When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
3072wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
3073supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
3074process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
3075
3076The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
3077simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
3078use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
3079memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
3080disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
3081signal watchers).
3082
3083When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
3084other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
3085C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
3086Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
3087watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
3088those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
3089signal watchers.
3090
2511=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3091=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2512 3092
2513=over 4 3093=over 4
2514 3094
2515=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3095=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
2519believe me. 3099believe me.
2520 3100
2521=back 3101=back
2522 3102
2523 3103
2524=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop 3104=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2525 3105
2526In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other 3106In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other
2527asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3107asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2528loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3108loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2529 3109
2530Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not 3110Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2531control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what 3111for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2532C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you 3112watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2533can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal 3113it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2534safe.
2535 3114
2536This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3115This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2537too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3116too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2538(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3117(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2539C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3118C<ev_async_sent> calls).
2544=head3 Queueing 3123=head3 Queueing
2545 3124
2546C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3125C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2547is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3126is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2548multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 3127multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2549need elaborate support such as pthreads. 3128need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
3129semantics.
2550 3130
2551That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 3131That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2552queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your 3132queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2553queue: 3133queue:
2554 3134
2632=over 4 3212=over 4
2633 3213
2634=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback) 3214=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2635 3215
2636Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any 3216Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2637kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3217kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2638trust me. 3218trust me.
2639 3219
2640=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3220=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2641 3221
2642Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3222Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2643an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3223an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
2644C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3224C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
2645similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3225similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
2646section below on what exactly this means). 3226section below on what exactly this means).
2647 3227
3228Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3229compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
3230is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
3231reset when the event loop detects that).
3232
2648This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration, 3233This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
2649so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated 3234iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
2650calls to C<ev_async_send>. 3235repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
2651 3236
2652=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3237=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2653 3238
2654Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3239Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2655watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3240watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2658C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When 3243C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2659the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active, 3244the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2660it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very 3245it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2661quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea. 3246quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2662 3247
2663Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only 3248Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
2664whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending. 3249only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
3250is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
3251notification, and the callback being invoked.
2665 3252
2666=back 3253=back
2667 3254
2668 3255
2669=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 3256=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2686 3273
2687If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3274If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2688started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3275started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2689repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout. 3276repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2690 3277
2691The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3278The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2692passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3279passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2693C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3280C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2694value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both> 3281value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2695a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io 3282a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2696events precedence. 3283events precedence.
2697 3284
2698Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO. 3285Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2699 3286
2700 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3287 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2701 { 3288 {
2702 if (revents & EV_READ) 3289 if (revents & EV_READ)
2703 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 3290 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2704 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 3291 else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
2705 /* doh, nothing entered */; 3292 /* doh, nothing entered */;
2706 } 3293 }
2707 3294
2708 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3295 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2709 3296
2710=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2711
2712Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2713had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2714initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2715
2716=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3297=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
2717 3298
2718Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3299Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2719the given events it. 3300the given events it.
2720 3301
2721=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3302=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
2722 3303
2723Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3304Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
2724loop!). 3305loop!).
2725 3306
2726=back 3307=back
2806 3387
2807=over 4 3388=over 4
2808 3389
2809=item ev::TYPE::TYPE () 3390=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2810 3391
2811=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *) 3392=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2812 3393
2813=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 3394=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2814 3395
2815The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher 3396The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2816with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>. 3397with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
2848 3429
2849 myclass obj; 3430 myclass obj;
2850 ev::io iow; 3431 ev::io iow;
2851 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 3432 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2852 3433
3434=item w->set (object *)
3435
3436This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
3437will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
3438functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
3439the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
3440list.
3441
3442The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
3443int revents)>.
3444
3445See the method-C<set> above for more details.
3446
3447Example: use a functor object as callback.
3448
3449 struct myfunctor
3450 {
3451 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
3452 {
3453 ...
3454 }
3455 }
3456
3457 myfunctor f;
3458
3459 ev::io w;
3460 w.set (&f);
3461
2853=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 3462=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2854 3463
2855Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 3464Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2856callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 3465callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2857C<data> member and is free for you to use. 3466C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2863Example: Use a plain function as callback. 3472Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2864 3473
2865 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 3474 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2866 iow.set <io_cb> (); 3475 iow.set <io_cb> ();
2867 3476
2868=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 3477=item w->set (loop)
2869 3478
2870Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 3479Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2871do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 3480do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2872 3481
2873=item w->set ([arguments]) 3482=item w->set ([arguments])
2874 3483
2875Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be 3484Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
2876called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 3485method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
2877automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 3486C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
2878method. 3487when reconfiguring it with this method.
2879 3488
2880=item w->start () 3489=item w->start ()
2881 3490
2882Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the 3491Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2883constructor already stores the event loop. 3492constructor already stores the event loop.
2884 3493
3494=item w->start ([arguments])
3495
3496Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
3497convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
3498the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
3499
2885=item w->stop () 3500=item w->stop ()
2886 3501
2887Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 3502Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2888 3503
2889=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only) 3504=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
2901 3516
2902=back 3517=back
2903 3518
2904=back 3519=back
2905 3520
2906Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 3521Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2907the constructor. 3522watchers in the constructor.
2908 3523
2909 class myclass 3524 class myclass
2910 { 3525 {
2911 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 3526 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3527 ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2912 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 3528 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2913 3529
2914 myclass (int fd) 3530 myclass (int fd)
2915 { 3531 {
2916 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 3532 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3533 io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2917 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 3534 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2918 3535
2919 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 3536 io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
3537 io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
3538
3539 io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2920 } 3540 }
2921 }; 3541 };
2922 3542
2923 3543
2924=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS 3544=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2943L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>. 3563L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2944 3564
2945=item Python 3565=item Python
2946 3566
2947Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It 3567Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2948seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the 3568seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
2949patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2950for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2951libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2952libev).
2953 3569
2954=item Ruby 3570=item Ruby
2955 3571
2956Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset 3572Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2957of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 3573of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2958more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at 3574more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2959L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 3575L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2960 3576
3577Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
3578makes rev work even on mingw.
3579
3580=item Haskell
3581
3582A haskell binding to libev is available at
3583L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3584
2961=item D 3585=item D
2962 3586
2963Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 3587Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2964be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 3588be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
2965 3589
2966=item Ocaml 3590=item Ocaml
2967 3591
2968Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at 3592Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
2969L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>. 3593L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3594
3595=item Lua
3596
3597Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3598time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3599L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
2970 3600
2971=back 3601=back
2972 3602
2973 3603
2974=head1 MACRO MAGIC 3604=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2988loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 3618loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2989C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 3619C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2990 3620
2991 ev_unref (EV_A); 3621 ev_unref (EV_A);
2992 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 3622 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2993 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3623 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2994 3624
2995It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 3625It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2996which is often provided by the following macro. 3626which is often provided by the following macro.
2997 3627
2998=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 3628=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
3038 } 3668 }
3039 3669
3040 ev_check check; 3670 ev_check check;
3041 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 3671 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
3042 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 3672 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
3043 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 3673 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
3044 3674
3045=head1 EMBEDDING 3675=head1 EMBEDDING
3046 3676
3047Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 3677Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
3048applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 3678applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
3075 3705
3076 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3706 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
3077 #include "ev.h" 3707 #include "ev.h"
3078 3708
3079Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3709Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
3080compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3710compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
3081as a bug). 3711as a bug).
3082 3712
3083You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3713You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
3084in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3714in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
3085 3715
3128 libev.m4 3758 libev.m4
3129 3759
3130=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 3760=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
3131 3761
3132Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to 3762Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
3133define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of 3763define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
3134autoconf is documented for every option. 3764the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
3765
3766Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
3767values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
3768to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
3769to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
3770users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
3771settings.
3135 3772
3136=over 4 3773=over 4
3137 3774
3775=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
3776
3777Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
3778release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
3779have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
3780
3781You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
3782versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
3783sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
3784from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
3785typedef in that case.
3786
3787In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
3788and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
3789removed completely.
3790
3138=item EV_STANDALONE 3791=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
3139 3792
3140Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 3793Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
3141keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 3794keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3142implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 3795implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3143supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 3796supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3144F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3797F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3145 3798
3799In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3800configuration, but has to be more conservative.
3801
3146=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3802=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3147 3803
3148If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3804If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3149monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use 3805monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3150of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3806use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
3151usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3807you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
3152the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 3808when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
3153to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3809to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
3154function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3810function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3155 3811
3156=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3812=item EV_USE_REALTIME
3157 3813
3158If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3814If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3159real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at 3815real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
3160runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will 3816at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
3161be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3817option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
3162(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 3818by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
3163note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3819correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
3820C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
3821C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3822
3823=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
3824
3825If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
3826of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
3827exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
3828unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
3829programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
3830theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
3831the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
3832higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3164 3833
3165=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 3834=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3166 3835
3167If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 3836If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3168and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 3837and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3184 3853
3185=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3854=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3186 3855
3187If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3856If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3188structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3857structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3189C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on 3858C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3190exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3859on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3191low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3860some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3192allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3861only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3193influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3862configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3194 3863
3195=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 3864=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3196 3865
3197When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 3866When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3198select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 3867select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
3200be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 3869be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
3201C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 3870C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
3202it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 3871it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
3203on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 3872on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
3204 3873
3205=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE 3874=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
3206 3875
3207If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map 3876If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3208file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the 3877file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3209default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually 3878default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3210correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management, 3879correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3211in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles. 3880in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
3881
3882=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
3883
3884If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
3885using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
3886their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
3887to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
3888
3889=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
3890
3891If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
3892macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
3893file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
3894the underlying OS handle.
3212 3895
3213=item EV_USE_POLL 3896=item EV_USE_POLL
3214 3897
3215If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 3898If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3216backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 3899backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
3263as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 3946as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3264 3947
3265In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 3948In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3266(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 3949(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3267 3950
3268=item EV_H 3951=item EV_H (h)
3269 3952
3270The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3953The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
3271undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 3954undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
3272used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 3955used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
3273 3956
3274=item EV_CONFIG_H 3957=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
3275 3958
3276If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 3959If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
3277F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 3960F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
3278C<EV_H>, above. 3961C<EV_H>, above.
3279 3962
3280=item EV_EVENT_H 3963=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
3281 3964
3282Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 3965Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
3283of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">. 3966of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
3284 3967
3285=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3968=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
3286 3969
3287If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 3970If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3288prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 3971prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3289occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions 3972occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3290around libev functions. 3973around libev functions.
3312fine. 3995fine.
3313 3996
3314If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these 3997If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3315both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU. 3998both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3316 3999
3317=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 4000=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
4001EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
4002EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3318 4003
3319If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 4004If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3320defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 4005the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3321code. 4006is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3322 4007
3323=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE 4008=item EV_FEATURES
3324
3325If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3326defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3327code.
3328
3329=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3330
3331If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3332defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3333watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3334
3335=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3336
3337If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3338defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3339
3340=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3341
3342If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3343defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3344
3345=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3346
3347If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3348defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3349
3350=item EV_MINIMAL
3351 4009
3352If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 4010If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3353speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some 4011speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3354inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a 4012certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3355much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap. 4013that can be enabled on the platform.
4014
4015A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
4016with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
4017additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
4018but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
4019backend, use this:
4020
4021 #define EV_FEATURES 0
4022 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
4023 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4024 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4025 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4026
4027The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4028values:
4029
4030=over 4
4031
4032=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4033
4034Use larger code to speed up some operations.
4035
4036Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
4037code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4038
4039When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4040gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4041assertions.
4042
4043=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4044
4045Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4046hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4047and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4048runtime.
4049
4050=item C<4> - full API configuration
4051
4052This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4053enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4054
4055=item C<8> - full API
4056
4057This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
4058details on which parts of the API are still available without this
4059feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
4060
4061=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
4062
4063Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
4064only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
4065embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
4066C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
4067
4068=item C<32> - enable all backends
4069
4070This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
4071least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
4072
4073=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
4074
4075Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
4076default.
4077
4078=back
4079
4080Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
4081reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
4082code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
4083watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
4084
4085With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4086when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4087your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4088I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4089
4090=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4091
4092If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4093functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4094somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
4095libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
4096big.
4097
4098Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
4099enabled.
4100
4101=item EV_NSIG
4102
4103The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
4104signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
4105automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
4106specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
4107good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
4108statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3356 4109
3357=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 4110=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3358 4111
3359C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4112C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3360pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 4113pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3361than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 4114usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3362increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 4115might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3363 4116
3364=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 4117=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3365 4118
3366C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4119C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3367inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 4120inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3368usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 4121disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3369watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 4122C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3370two). 4123power of two).
3371 4124
3372=item EV_USE_4HEAP 4125=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3373 4126
3374Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4127Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3375timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined 4128timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3376to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably 4129to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3377faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers. 4130faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3378 4131
3379The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4132The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3380(disabled). 4133will be C<0>.
3381 4134
3382=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT 4135=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3383 4136
3384Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4137Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3385timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within 4138timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3386the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>), 4139the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3387which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code, 4140which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3388but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance 4141but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3389noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers. 4142noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3390 4143
3391The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4144The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3392(disabled). 4145will be C<0>.
3393 4146
3394=item EV_VERIFY 4147=item EV_VERIFY
3395 4148
3396Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will 4149Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3397be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled 4150be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3398in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not 4151in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3399called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be 4152called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3400called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the 4153called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3401verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down 4154verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3402libev considerably. 4155libev considerably.
3403 4156
3404The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be 4157The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3405C<0>. 4158will be C<0>.
3406 4159
3407=item EV_COMMON 4160=item EV_COMMON
3408 4161
3409By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 4162By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3410this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 4163this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3411members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 4164members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3412though, and it must be identical each time. 4165though, and it must be identical each time.
3413 4166
3414For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 4167For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3415 4168
3468file. 4221file.
3469 4222
3470The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 4223The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3471that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 4224that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3472 4225
3473 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 4226 #define EV_FEATURES 8
3474 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 4227 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3475 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3476 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 4228 #define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
4229 #define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3477 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 4230 #define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3478 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 4231 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4232 #define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3479 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 4233 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3480 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3481 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
3482 4234
3483 #include "ev++.h" 4235 #include "ev++.h"
3484 4236
3485And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 4237And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3486 4238
3546default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 4298default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3547watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 4299watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3548 4300
3549=back 4301=back
3550 4302
4303=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
4304
4305Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4306thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4307created/added/removed.
4308
4309For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4310which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4311languages).
4312
4313The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4314variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4315event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4316
4317First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4318
4319 typedef struct {
4320 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4321 ev_async async_w;
4322 thread_t tid;
4323 cond_t invoke_cv;
4324 } userdata;
4325
4326 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4327 {
4328 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4329 static userdata u;
4330
4331 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4332 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4333
4334 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4335 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4336
4337 // now associate this with the loop
4338 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4339 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4340 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4341
4342 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4343 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4344 }
4345
4346The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4347solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4348that might have been added:
4349
4350 static void
4351 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4352 {
4353 // just used for the side effects
4354 }
4355
4356The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4357protecting the loop data, respectively.
4358
4359 static void
4360 l_release (EV_P)
4361 {
4362 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4363 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4364 }
4365
4366 static void
4367 l_acquire (EV_P)
4368 {
4369 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4370 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4371 }
4372
4373The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4374into C<ev_run>:
4375
4376 void *
4377 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4378 {
4379 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4380
4381 l_acquire (EV_A);
4382 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4383 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
4384 l_release (EV_A);
4385
4386 return 0;
4387 }
4388
4389Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4390signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4391writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4392have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4393and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4394watchers is very beneficial):
4395
4396 static void
4397 l_invoke (EV_P)
4398 {
4399 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4400
4401 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4402 {
4403 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4404 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4405 }
4406 }
4407
4408Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4409will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4410thread to continue:
4411
4412 static void
4413 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4414 {
4415 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4416
4417 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4418 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4419 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4420 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4421 }
4422
4423Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4424event loop, you will now have to lock:
4425
4426 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4427 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4428
4429 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4430
4431 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4432 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4433 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4434 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4435
4436Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4437an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4438about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4439watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4440
3551=head3 COROUTINES 4441=head3 COROUTINES
3552 4442
3553Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 4443Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3554libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 4444libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3555coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 4445coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
3556different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the 4446different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
3557loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that 4447the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
3558you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 4448that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3559 4449
3560Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside 4450Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3561C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as 4451C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3562they do not clal any callbacks. 4452they do not call any callbacks.
3563 4453
3564=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS 4454=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3565 4455
3566Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a 4456Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3567lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently 4457lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3577maintainable. 4467maintainable.
3578 4468
3579And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply 4469And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3580wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message 4470wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3581seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some 4471seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3582warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have 4472warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
3583been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with 4473been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3584such buggy versions. 4474such buggy versions.
3585 4475
3586While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible, 4476While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3587"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev 4477"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3601 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 4491 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3602 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 4492 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3603 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks. 4493 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3604 4494
3605Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables 4495Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3606is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak. 4496is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3607 4497
3608Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs 4498Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3609as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend, 4499as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3610although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be 4500although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3611confused. 4501confused.
3623I suggest using suppression lists. 4513I suggest using suppression lists.
3624 4514
3625 4515
3626=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES 4516=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3627 4517
4518=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
4519
4520GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
4521interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
4522
4523That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
4524files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
4525
4526Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
4527by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
4528standard libev compiled for their system.
4529
4530Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
4531suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
4532i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
4533
4534=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
4535
4536The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
4537you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
4538OpenGL drivers.
4539
4540=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
4541
4542The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
4543only sockets, many support pipes.
4544
4545Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
4546rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
4547loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
4548probably going to work well.
4549
4550=head3 C<poll> is buggy
4551
4552Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
4553implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
4554release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
4555
4556Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
4557this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
4558a loop.
4559
4560=head3 C<select> is buggy
4561
4562All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
4563one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
4564descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
4565you use more.
4566
4567There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
4568C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
4569work on OS/X.
4570
4571=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
4572
4573=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
4574
4575The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
4576thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
4577without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
4578defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
4579
4580If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
4581it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
4582
4583=head3 Event port backend
4584
4585The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
4586ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
4587releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
4588a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
4589and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
4590are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
4591great.
4592
4593If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
4594the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
4595C<select> backends.
4596
4597=head2 AIX POLL BUG
4598
4599AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
4600this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
4601compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
4602with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
4603
3628=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS 4604=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
4605
4606=head3 General issues
3629 4607
3630Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev 4608Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3631requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 4609requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3632model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 4610model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3633the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 4611the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3634descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 4612descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3635e.g. cygwin. 4613e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
4614as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
4615environment.
3636 4616
3637Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 4617Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3638re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of 4618re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
3639things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable 4619then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
3640way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man). 4620also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3641 4621
3642There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 4622There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3643embedding it into other applications. 4623embedding it into other applications.
4624
4625Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
4626tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
3644 4627
3645Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't 4628Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3646accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will 4629accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3647either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large, 4630either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3648so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a 4631so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3653the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets 4636the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3654is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use 4637is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3655more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally 4638more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3656different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness 4639different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3657notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows 4640notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3658(Microsoft monopoly games). 4641(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3659 4642
3660A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding 4643A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3661section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead 4644section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3662of F<ev.h>: 4645of F<ev.h>:
3663 4646
3670you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!): 4653you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3671 4654
3672 #include "evwrap.h" 4655 #include "evwrap.h"
3673 #include "ev.c" 4656 #include "ev.c"
3674 4657
3675=over 4
3676
3677=item The winsocket select function 4658=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3678 4659
3679The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it 4660The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3680requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is 4661requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3681also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also 4662also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3682requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft 4663requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3691 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */ 4672 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3692 4673
3693Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a 4674Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3694complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32. 4675complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3695 4676
3696=item Limited number of file descriptors 4677=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3697 4678
3698Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. 4679Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3699 4680
3700Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum 4681Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3701of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels 4682of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3702can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft 4683can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3703recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the 4684recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3704previous thread in each. Great). 4685previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3705 4686
3706Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE> 4687Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3707to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select 4688to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3708call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own 4689call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3709select emulation on windows). 4690other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3710 4691
3711Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime 4692Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3712libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish 4693libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3713or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling 4694fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3714C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another 4695by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3715arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime 4696(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3716libraries.
3717
3718This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on 4697runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3719windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to 4698(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3720wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of 4699you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3721calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 4700the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3722
3723=back
3724 4701
3725=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS 4702=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3726 4703
3727In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the 4704In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3728backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions: 4705backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3767watchers. 4744watchers.
3768 4745
3769=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy 4746=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3770 4747
3771The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 4748The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3772have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good 4749have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
3773enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by 4750good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
4751(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
3774implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones). 4752implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With
4753IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.
3775 4754
3776=back 4755=back
3777 4756
3778If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 4757If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3779 4758
3847involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 4826involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3848 4827
3849=back 4828=back
3850 4829
3851 4830
4831=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
4832
4833The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API.
4834
4835At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file tries to implement superficial
4836compatibility, so most programs should still compile. Those might be
4837removed in later versions of libev, so better update early than late.
4838
4839=over 4
4840
4841=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
4842
4843These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
4844
4845 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT);
4846 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
4847
4848=item function/symbol renames
4849
4850A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
4851
4852 ev_loop => ev_run
4853 EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
4854 EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
4855
4856 ev_unloop => ev_break
4857 EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
4858 EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
4859 EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
4860
4861 EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
4862
4863 ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
4864 ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
4865 ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
4866
4867Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
4868C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
4869associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
4870ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
4871as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
4872C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
4873typedef.
4874
4875=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
4876
4877The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
4878C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>
4879section.
4880
4881=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
4882
4883The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
4884mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
4885and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
4886
4887=back
4888
4889
4890=head1 GLOSSARY
4891
4892=over 4
4893
4894=item active
4895
4896A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
4897See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
4898
4899=item application
4900
4901In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
4902
4903=item backend
4904
4905The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
4906
4907=item callback
4908
4909The address of a function that is called when some event has been
4910detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
4911received the event, and the actual event bitset.
4912
4913=item callback/watcher invocation
4914
4915The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4916
4917=item event
4918
4919A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
4920for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
4921any other events happening anymore.
4922
4923In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
4924C<EV_TIMER>).
4925
4926=item event library
4927
4928A software package implementing an event model and loop.
4929
4930=item event loop
4931
4932An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
4933into callback invocations.
4934
4935=item event model
4936
4937The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
4938watchers and events.
4939
4940=item pending
4941
4942A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
4943detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
4944
4945=item real time
4946
4947The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
4948
4949=item wall-clock time
4950
4951The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
4952be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
4953clock.
4954
4955=item watcher
4956
4957A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
4958to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
4959
4960=back
4961
3852=head1 AUTHOR 4962=head1 AUTHOR
3853 4963
3854Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 4964Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
3855 4965

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