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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.238 by root, Sat Apr 18 12:10:41 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.243 by root, Sat Jun 20 20:22:35 2009 UTC

1184 #include <stddef.h> 1184 #include <stddef.h>
1185 1185
1186 static void 1186 static void
1187 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1187 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1188 { 1188 {
1189 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1189 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1190 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1190 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1191 } 1191 }
1192 1192
1193 static void 1193 static void
1194 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1194 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1195 { 1195 {
1196 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1196 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1197 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1197 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1198 } 1198 }
1199 1199
1200=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS 1200=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1201 1201
1277 // with the default priority are receiving events. 1277 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1278 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle); 1278 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1279 } 1279 }
1280 1280
1281 static void 1281 static void
1282 idle-cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents) 1282 idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1283 { 1283 {
1284 // actual processing 1284 // actual processing
1285 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...); 1285 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
1286 1286
1287 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as 1287 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as
1332descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1332descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1333required if you know what you are doing). 1333required if you know what you are doing).
1334 1334
1335If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a 1335If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1336known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only 1336known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1337C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 1337C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1338descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1339files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
1338 1340
1339Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1341Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1340receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1342receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
1341be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1343be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1342because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1344because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
1463year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because 1465year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1464detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1466detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1465monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1467monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1466 1468
1467The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1469The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1468passed. If multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration 1470passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1469then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with 1471might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
1472same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
1470later time-out values (but this is no longer true when a callback calls 1473before ones with later time-out values (but this is no longer true when a
1471C<ev_loop> recursively). 1474callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1472 1475
1473=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1476=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1474 1477
1475Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1478Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1476recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1479recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1520C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat> 1523C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1521member and C<ev_timer_again>. 1524member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1522 1525
1523At start: 1526At start:
1524 1527
1525 ev_timer_init (timer, callback); 1528 ev_init (timer, callback);
1526 timer->repeat = 60.; 1529 timer->repeat = 60.;
1527 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1530 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1528 1531
1529Each time there is some activity: 1532Each time there is some activity:
1530 1533
1592 1595
1593To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity> 1596To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1594to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 1597to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1595callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 1598callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1596 1599
1597 ev_timer_init (timer, callback); 1600 ev_init (timer, callback);
1598 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1601 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1599 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT); 1602 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1600 1603
1601And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 1604And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1602C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 1605C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
2365 // no longer anything immediate to do. 2368 // no longer anything immediate to do.
2366 } 2369 }
2367 2370
2368 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle)); 2371 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
2369 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2372 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
2370 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2373 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2371 2374
2372 2375
2373=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2376=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2374 2377
2375Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 2378Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
2468 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2471 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
2469 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2472 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
2470 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2473 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
2471 2474
2472 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2475 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
2473 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2476 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
2474 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2477 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
2475 2478
2476 // create one ev_io per pollfd 2479 // create one ev_io per pollfd
2477 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2480 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2478 { 2481 {
3932way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man). 3935way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3933 3936
3934There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 3937There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3935embedding it into other applications. 3938embedding it into other applications.
3936 3939
3940Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
3941tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
3942
3937Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't 3943Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3938accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will 3944accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3939either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large, 3945either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3940so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a 3946so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3941megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory 3947megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
3945the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets 3951the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3946is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use 3952is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3947more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally 3953more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3948different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness 3954different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3949notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows 3955notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3950(Microsoft monopoly games). 3956(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3951 3957
3952A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding 3958A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3953section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead 3959section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3954of F<ev.h>: 3960of F<ev.h>:
3955 3961
3991 3997
3992Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum 3998Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3993of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels 3999of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3994can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft 4000can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3995recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the 4001recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3996previous thread in each. Great). 4002previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3997 4003
3998Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE> 4004Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3999to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select 4005to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
4000call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own 4006call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
4001select emulation on windows). 4007other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
4002 4008
4003Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime 4009Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
4004libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish 4010libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
4005or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling 4011fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
4006C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another 4012by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
4007arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime 4013(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
4008libraries.
4009
4010This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on 4014runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
4011windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to 4015(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
4012wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of 4016you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
4013calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 4017the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
4014 4018
4015=back 4019=back
4016 4020
4017=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS 4021=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
4018 4022

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