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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.212 by root, Mon Nov 3 15:13:53 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.226 by root, Wed Mar 4 12:51:37 2009 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
425All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
426faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
427the usage. So sad.
428
423While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 429While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
424all kernel versions tested so far. 430all kernel versions tested so far.
425 431
426This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 432This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
427C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 433C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
454 460
455While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 461While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
456everywhere, 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
457almost 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
458(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
459(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
460using it only for sockets. 466also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
461 467
462This 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
463C<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
464C<NOTE_EOF>. 470C<NOTE_EOF>.
465 471
1415 else 1421 else
1416 { 1422 {
1417 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1423 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1418 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1424 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1419 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1425 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1420 w->again = timeout - now; 1426 w->repeat = timeout - now;
1421 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1427 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1422 } 1428 }
1423 } 1429 }
1424 1430
1425To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1431To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1613 1619
1614=over 4 1620=over 4
1615 1621
1616=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1622=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1617 1623
1618=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1624=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1619 1625
1620Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1626Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1621operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex: 1627operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1622 1628
1623=over 4 1629=over 4
1665ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1671ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1666reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1672reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1667current time as second argument. 1673current time as second argument.
1668 1674
1669NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1675NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
1670ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>. 1676ever, or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever>.
1671 1677
1672If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop 1678If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1673it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the 1679it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1674only event loop modification you are allowed to do). 1680only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1675 1681
2006the 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
2007()>, which is a synchronous operation. 2013()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2008 2014
2009For 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
2010busy 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,
2011as 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
2012watcher). 2018watcher).
2013 2019
2014For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite 2020For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2015time 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
2016often takes multiple milliseconds. 2022often takes multiple milliseconds.
2173 2179
2174=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2180=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2175 2181
2176=over 4 2182=over 4
2177 2183
2178=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2184=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
2179 2185
2180Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 2186Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
2181kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2187kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2182believe me. 2188believe me.
2183 2189
2422some 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),
2423and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In 2429and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2424this 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
2425the 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.
2426 2432
2427As 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
2428there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2434time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2429call 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
2430their 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
2431loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 2437C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2432to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 2438to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2433embedded loop sweep.
2434 2439
2435As 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
2436callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 2441will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2437set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2438interested in that.
2439 2442
2440Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2443Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2441when 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
2442but 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
2443yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically, 2446C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2444and future versions of libev might do just that.
2445 2447
2446Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by 2448Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2447C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2449C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2448portable one. 2450portable one.
2449 2451
2885 2887
2886 myclass obj; 2888 myclass obj;
2887 ev::io iow; 2889 ev::io iow;
2888 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 2890 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2889 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
2890=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 2922=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2891 2923
2892Also 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
2893callback. 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
2894C<data> member and is free for you to use. 2926C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2993Tony 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
2994of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 3026of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2995more 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
2996L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 3028L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2997 3029
3030Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
3031makes rev work even on mingw.
3032
2998=item D 3033=item D
2999 3034
3000Leandro 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
3001be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 3036be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
3002 3037
3178keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 3213keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3179implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 3214implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3180supported). 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
3181F<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.
3182 3217
3218In stanbdalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3219configuration, but has to be more conservative.
3220
3183=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3221=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3184 3222
3185If 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
3186monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use 3224monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3187of 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,
3188usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3226you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
3189the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 3227when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
3190to 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>
3191function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3229function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3192 3230
3193=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3231=item EV_USE_REALTIME
3194 3232
3195If 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
3196real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at 3234real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
3197runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will 3235at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
3198be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3236option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
3199(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 3237by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
3200note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3238correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
3239C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
3240C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3241
3242=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
3243
3244If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
3245of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
3246exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
3247unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
3248programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
3249theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
3250the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
3251higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3201 3252
3202=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 3253=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3203 3254
3204If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 3255If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3205and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 3256and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3221 3272
3222=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3273=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3223 3274
3224If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3275If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3225structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3276structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3226C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on 3277C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3227exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3278on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3228low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3279some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3229allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3280only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3230influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3281configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3231 3282
3232=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 3283=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3233 3284
3234When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 3285When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3235select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 3286select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but

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