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118Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common) 118Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
119configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For 119configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
120more info about various configuration options please have a look at 120more info about various configuration options please have a look at
121B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support 121B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
122for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of 122for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
123name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have 123name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
124this argument. 124this argument.
125 125
126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
127 127
128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing 128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
370When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 370When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
371I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and 371I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
372testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as 372testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
373otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle. 373otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
374 374
375=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGFD> 375=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
376 376
377When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 377When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
378I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This is 378I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
379probably only useful to work around any bugs in libev. Consequently, this 379delivers signals synchronously, which makes is both faster and might make
380flag might go away once the signalfd functionality is considered stable, 380it possible to get the queued signal data.
381so it's useful mostly in environment variables and not in program code. 381
382Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
383there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
384example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
382 385
383=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 386=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
384 387
385This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 388This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
386libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 389libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
792 795
793Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 796Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
794loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 797loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
795count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. 798count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
796 799
797If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> 800This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
798from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before 801unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_loop> from
802returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
799stopping it. 803before stopping it.
800 804
801As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It 805As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
802is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from 806is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
803exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an 807exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
804excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within 808excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
919 923
920While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of 924While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
921C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no 925C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
922modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will 926modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
923have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time 927have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
924waited. USe an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it 928waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it
925to take note of any changes you made. 929to take note of any changes you made.
926 930
927In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between 931In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between
928invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>. 932invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
929 933
1126 1130
1127 ev_io w; 1131 ev_io w;
1128 ev_init (&w, my_cb); 1132 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
1129 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1133 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1130 1134
1131=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1135=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
1132 1136
1133This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1137This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
1134call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1138call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
1135call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1139call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
1136macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1140macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
1149 1153
1150Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step. 1154Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
1151 1155
1152 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1156 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1153 1157
1154=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1158=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1155 1159
1156Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1160Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
1157events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1161events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
1158 1162
1159Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this 1163Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1160whole section. 1164whole section.
1161 1165
1162 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w); 1166 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1163 1167
1164=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1168=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1165 1169
1166Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether 1170Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1167the watcher was active or not). 1171the watcher was active or not).
1168 1172
1169It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example, 1173It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
1194=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1198=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1195 1199
1196Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1200Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1197(modulo threads). 1201(modulo threads).
1198 1202
1199=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1203=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1200 1204
1201=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1205=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1202 1206
1203Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1207Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1204integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1208integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1235returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the 1239returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
1236watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1240watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1237 1241
1238Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its 1242Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1239callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function. 1243callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1244
1245=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1246
1247Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1248had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1249initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1250not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1251
1252Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1253C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1254not started in the first place.
1255
1256See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1257functions that do not need a watcher.
1240 1258
1241=back 1259=back
1242 1260
1243 1261
1244=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1262=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
1840C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 1858C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1841 1859
1842This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a 1860This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1843usage example. 1861usage example.
1844 1862
1845=item ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *) 1863=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1846 1864
1847Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active, 1865Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1848then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's 1866then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1849the timeout value currently configured. 1867the timeout value currently configured.
1850 1868
2117C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should 2135C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2118not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting 2136not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2119interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher 2137interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2120and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 2138and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2121 2139
2122=head3 The special problem of inheritance over execve 2140=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2123 2141
2124Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition 2142Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2125(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after 2143(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2126stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal, 2144stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2127and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler. 2145and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
2137 2155
2138The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is 2156The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2139to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will 2157to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2140catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well. 2158catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2141 2159
2142In current versions of libev, you can also ensure that the signal mask is 2160In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2143not blocking any signals (except temporarily, so thread users watch out) 2161unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2144by specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGFD> when creating the event loop. This 2162the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2145is not guaranteed for future versions, however. 2163I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2164
2165So I can't stress this enough I<if you do not reset your signal mask
2166when you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your
2167program>. This is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event
2168libraries.
2146 2169
2147=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2170=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2148 2171
2149=over 4 2172=over 4
2150 2173
2967=head3 Queueing 2990=head3 Queueing
2968 2991
2969C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 2992C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2970is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 2993is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2971multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 2994multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2972need elaborate support such as pthreads. 2995need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
2996semantics.
2973 2997
2974That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 2998That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2975queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your 2999queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2976queue: 3000queue:
2977 3001
3135 /* doh, nothing entered */; 3159 /* doh, nothing entered */;
3136 } 3160 }
3137 3161
3138 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3162 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3139 3163
3140=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
3141
3142Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
3143had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
3144initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
3145
3146=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3164=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3147 3165
3148Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3166Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3149the given events it. 3167the given events it.
3150 3168
3151=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3169=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3152 3170
3153Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3171Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
3154loop!). 3172loop!).
3155 3173
3156=back 3174=back
3236 3254
3237=over 4 3255=over 4
3238 3256
3239=item ev::TYPE::TYPE () 3257=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
3240 3258
3241=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *) 3259=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
3242 3260
3243=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 3261=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
3244 3262
3245The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher 3263The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
3246with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>. 3264with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
3323Example: Use a plain function as callback. 3341Example: Use a plain function as callback.
3324 3342
3325 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 3343 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3326 iow.set <io_cb> (); 3344 iow.set <io_cb> ();
3327 3345
3328=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 3346=item w->set (loop)
3329 3347
3330Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 3348Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
3331do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 3349do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
3332 3350
3333=item w->set ([arguments]) 3351=item w->set ([arguments])

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