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Revision 1.18 by root, Mon Nov 12 09:01:12 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.26 by root, Tue Nov 13 03:11:57 2007 UTC

56 56
57=over 4 57=over 4
58 58
59=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 59=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
60 60
61Returns the current time as libev would use it. 61Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
62C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
63you actually want to know.
62 64
63=item int ev_version_major () 65=item int ev_version_major ()
64 66
65=item int ev_version_minor () 67=item int ev_version_minor ()
66 68
241 243
242=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 244=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
243 245
244Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 246Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
245has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 247has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
246C<EVUNLOOP_ONCE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 248C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
247C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 249C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
248 250
249=item ev_ref (loop) 251=item ev_ref (loop)
250 252
251=item ev_unref (loop) 253=item ev_unref (loop)
417in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 419in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
418level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 420level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
419condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 421condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
420act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 422act on the event and neither want to receive future events).
421 423
422In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 424In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
423fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 425fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
424descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 426descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
425required if you know what you are doing). 427required if you know what you are doing).
426 428
427You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 429You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
428(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 430(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
429descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 431descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
430to the same file/socket etc. description. 432to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share
433the same underlying "file open").
431 434
432If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 435If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
433(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and 436(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and
434EVMETHOD_POLL). 437EVMETHOD_POLL).
435 438
449 452
450Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 453Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
451given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 454given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
452 455
453The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 456The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
454times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 457times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years
455time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 458time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
456detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 459detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
457monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 460monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
458 461
459The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 462The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
460time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 463time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
461of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 464of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
462you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout 465you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout
463ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 466on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
464 467
465 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 468 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
466 469
467=over 4 470=over 4
468 471
476later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 479later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
477 480
478The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 481The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you
479configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 482configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
480exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 483exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
481the timer (ecause it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 484the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
482timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 485timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
483 486
484=item ev_timer_again (loop) 487=item ev_timer_again (loop)
485 488
486This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 489This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
582(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 585(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
583will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 586will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
584might be called at other times, too. 587might be called at other times, too.
585 588
586NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 589NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the
587passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it must be larger. 590passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.
588 591
589This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 592This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
590triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 593triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the
591next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How you do this 594next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
592is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial). 595you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
596reason I omitted it as an example).
593 597
594=back 598=back
595 599
596=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 600=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
597 601
676=back 680=back
677 681
678=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 682=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop
679 683
680Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 684Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
681Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 685prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
682afterwards. 686afterwards.
683 687
684Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 688Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This
685could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 689could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own
686watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more. 690watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.
689to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 693to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
690them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 694them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
691provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 695provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
692any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 696any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
693and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 697and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
694callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles, 698callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
695because you never know, you know?). 699because you never know, you know?).
696 700
697As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 701As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
698coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 702coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
699during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 703during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
700are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines 704are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
701with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once, 705with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
702using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority 706of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
703coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background 707loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
704tasks). 708low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
705 709
706=over 4 710=over 4
707 711
708=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 712=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
709 713
724=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 728=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
725 729
726This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 730This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
727callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 731callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
728watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 732watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
729or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 733or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
730more watchers yourself. 734more watchers yourself.
731 735
732If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 736If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
733is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 737is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
734C<events> set will be craeted and started. 738C<events> set will be craeted and started.
737started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 741started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
738repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 742repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
739dubious value. 743dubious value.
740 744
741The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 745The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
742passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of 746passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
743C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 747C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
744value passed to C<ev_once>: 748value passed to C<ev_once>:
745 749
746 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 750 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
747 { 751 {
768 772
769Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 773Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).
770 774
771=back 775=back
772 776
777=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
778
779Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
780emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
781
782=over 4
783
784=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
785
786=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
787ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
788
789=item * Avoid using ev_flags and the EVLIST_*-macros, while it is
790maintained by libev, it does not work exactly the same way as in libevent (consider
791it a private API).
792
793=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
794will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
795is an ev_pri field.
796
797=item * Other members are not supported.
798
799=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
800to use the libev header file and library.
801
802=back
803
804=head1 C++ SUPPORT
805
806TBD.
807
773=head1 AUTHOR 808=head1 AUTHOR
774 809
775Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 810Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
776 811

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