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Revision 1.17 by root, Mon Nov 12 08:57:03 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.25 by root, Mon Nov 12 21:51:14 2007 UTC

49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
50to the double type in C. 50to the double type in C.
51 51
52=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 52=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
53 53
54These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
55library in any way.
56
54=over 4 57=over 4
55 58
56=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 59=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
57 60
58Returns the current time as libev would use it. 61Returns the current time as libev would use it.
238 241
239=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 242=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
240 243
241Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 244Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
242has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 245has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
243C<EVUNLOOP_ONCE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 246C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
244C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 247C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
245 248
246=item ev_ref (loop) 249=item ev_ref (loop)
247 250
248=item ev_unref (loop) 251=item ev_unref (loop)
414in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 417in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
415level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 418level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
416condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 419condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
417act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 420act on the event and neither want to receive future events).
418 421
419In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 422In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
420fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 423fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
421descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 424descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
422required if you know what you are doing). 425required if you know what you are doing).
423 426
424You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 427You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
425(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 428(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
426descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 429descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
427to the same file/socket etc. description. 430to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share
431the same underlying "file open").
428 432
429If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 433If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
430(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and 434(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and
431EVMETHOD_POLL). 435EVMETHOD_POLL).
432 436
446 450
447Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 451Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
448given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 452given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
449 453
450The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 454The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
451times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 455times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years
452time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 456time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
453detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 457detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
454monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 458monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
455 459
456The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 460The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
457time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 461time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
458of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 462of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
459you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout 463you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout
460ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 464on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
461 465
462 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 466 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
463 467
464=over 4 468=over 4
465 469
473later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 477later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
474 478
475The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 479The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you
476configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 480configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
477exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 481exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
478the timer (ecause it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 482the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
479timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 483timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
480 484
481=item ev_timer_again (loop) 485=item ev_timer_again (loop)
482 486
483This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 487This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
560In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 564In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
561ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 565ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
562reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 566reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
563current time as second argument. 567current time as second argument.
564 568
565NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy the periodic or any other 569NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
566periodic watcher, ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need 570ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,
567to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards. 571return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
568 572starting a prepare watcher).
569Also, I<< this callback must always return a time that is later than the
570passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will be ok.
571 573
572Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 574Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
573ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 575ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
574 576
575 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 577 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
580It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 582It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
581(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 583(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
582will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 584will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
583might be called at other times, too. 585might be called at other times, too.
584 586
587NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the
588passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.
589
585This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 590This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
586triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 591triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the
587next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How you do this 592next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
588is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial). 593you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
594reason I omitted it as an example).
589 595
590=back 596=back
591 597
592=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 598=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
593 599
672=back 678=back
673 679
674=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 680=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop
675 681
676Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 682Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
677Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 683prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
678afterwards. 684afterwards.
679 685
680Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 686Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This
681could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 687could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own
682watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more. 688watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.
685to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 691to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
686them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 692them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
687provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 693provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
688any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 694any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
689and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 695and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
690callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles, 696callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
691because you never know, you know?). 697because you never know, you know?).
692 698
693As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 699As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
694coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 700coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
695during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 701during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
696are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines 702are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
697with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once, 703with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
698using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority 704of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
699coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background 705loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
700tasks). 706low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
701 707
702=over 4 708=over 4
703 709
704=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 710=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
705 711
720=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 726=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
721 727
722This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 728This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
723callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 729callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
724watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 730watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
725or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 731or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
726more watchers yourself. 732more watchers yourself.
727 733
728If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 734If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
729is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 735is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
730C<events> set will be craeted and started. 736C<events> set will be craeted and started.
733started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 739started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
734repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 740repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
735dubious value. 741dubious value.
736 742
737The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 743The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
738passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of 744passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
739C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 745C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
740value passed to C<ev_once>: 746value passed to C<ev_once>:
741 747
742 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 748 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
743 { 749 {
764 770
765Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 771Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).
766 772
767=back 773=back
768 774
775=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
776
777Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
778emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
779
780=over 4
781
782=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
783
784=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
785ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
786
787=item * Avoid using ev_flags and the EVLIST_*-macros, while it is
788maintained by libev, it does not work exactly the same way as in libevent (consider
789it a private API).
790
791=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
792will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
793is an ev_pri field.
794
795=item * Other members are not supported.
796
797=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
798to use the libev header file and library.
799
800=back
801
802=head1 C++ SUPPORT
803
804TBD.
805
769=head1 AUTHOR 806=head1 AUTHOR
770 807
771Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 808Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
772 809

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