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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.214 by root, Wed Nov 5 03:52:15 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.223 by root, Sun Dec 14 21:58:08 2008 UTC

8 8
9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required 11 // a single header file is required
12 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
13
14 #include <stdio.h> // for puts
13 15
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct 16 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_TYPE 17 // with the name ev_TYPE
16 ev_io stdin_watcher; 18 ev_io stdin_watcher;
17 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 19 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
41 43
42 int 44 int
43 main (void) 45 main (void)
44 { 46 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46 ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
47 49
48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
418starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause 420starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
419extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well 421extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
420as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can 422as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
421take considerable time and thus should be avoided. 423take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
422 424
423All this means that, in practise, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or 425All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
424faster then epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on 426faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
425the usage. So sad. 427the usage. So sad.
426 428
427While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 429While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
428all kernel versions tested so far. 430all kernel versions tested so far.
429 431
458 460
459While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 461While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
460everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 462everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
461almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets 463almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
462(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop 464(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
463(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it, 465(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
464using it only for sockets. 466also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
465 467
466This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with 468This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
467C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with 469C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
468C<NOTE_EOF>. 470C<NOTE_EOF>.
469 471
1419 else 1421 else
1420 { 1422 {
1421 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1423 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1422 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1424 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1423 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1425 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1424 w->again = timeout - now; 1426 w->repeat = timeout - now;
1425 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1427 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1426 } 1428 }
1427 } 1429 }
1428 1430
1429To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1431To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
2010the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat 2012the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2011()>, which is a synchronous operation. 2013()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2012 2014
2013For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very 2015For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2014busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast, 2016busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2015as the path data is suually in memory already (except when starting the 2017as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
2016watcher). 2018watcher).
2017 2019
2018For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite 2020For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2019time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call 2021time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2020often takes multiple milliseconds. 2022often takes multiple milliseconds.
2426some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), 2428some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2427and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In 2429and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2428this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all 2430this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2429the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2431the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2430 2432
2431As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2433As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2432there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2434time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2433call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2435must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2434their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2436sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2435loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 2437C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2436to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 2438to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2437embedded loop sweep.
2438 2439
2439As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 2440You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2440callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 2441will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2441set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2442interested in that.
2443 2442
2444Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2443Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2445when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2444is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2446but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2445embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2447yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically, 2446C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2448and future versions of libev might do just that.
2449 2447
2450Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by 2448Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2451C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2449C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2452portable one. 2450portable one.
2453 2451
2889 2887
2890 myclass obj; 2888 myclass obj;
2891 ev::io iow; 2889 ev::io iow;
2892 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2890 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2893 2891
2892=item w->set (object *)
2893
2894This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
2895
2896This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
2897will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
2898functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
2899the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
2900list.
2901
2902The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
2903int revents)>.
2904
2905See the method-C<set> above for more details.
2906
2907Example: use a functor object as callback.
2908
2909 struct myfunctor
2910 {
2911 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
2912 {
2913 ...
2914 }
2915 }
2916
2917 myfunctor f;
2918
2919 ev::io w;
2920 w.set (&f);
2921
2894=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 2922=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2895 2923
2896Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 2924Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2897callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 2925callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2898C<data> member and is free for you to use. 2926C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2997Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset 3025Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2998of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 3026of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2999more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at 3027more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
3000L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 3028L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
3001 3029
3030Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
3031makes rev work even on mingw.
3032
3002=item D 3033=item D
3003 3034
3004Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 3035Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3005be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 3036be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
3006 3037
3182keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 3213keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3183implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 3214implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3184supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 3215supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3185F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3216F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3186 3217
3218In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3219configuration, but has to be more conservative.
3220
3187=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3221=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3188 3222
3189If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3223If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3190monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use 3224monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3191of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3225use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
3192usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3226you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
3193the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 3227when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
3194to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3228to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
3195function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3229function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3196 3230
3197=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3231=item EV_USE_REALTIME
3198 3232
3199If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3233If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3200real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at 3234real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at
3201runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will 3235runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will
3202be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3236be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
3203(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 3237(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the
3204note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3238note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
3205 3239
3240=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
3241
3242If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
3243of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
3244exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
3245unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
3246programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
3247theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
3248the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
3249higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3250
3206=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 3251=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3207 3252
3208If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 3253If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3209and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 3254and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3210 3255
3225 3270
3226=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3271=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3227 3272
3228If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3273If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3229structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3274structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3230C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on 3275C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3231exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3276on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3232low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3277some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3233allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3278only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3234influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3279configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3235 3280
3236=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 3281=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3237 3282
3238When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 3283When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3239select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 3284select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but

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