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Revision 1.69 by root, Fri Dec 7 19:15:39 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.296 by root, Tue Jun 29 10:51:18 2010 UTC

2 2
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required
11 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
12 13
14 #include <stdio.h> // for puts
15
16 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
17 // with the name ev_TYPE
13 ev_io stdin_watcher; 18 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 19 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15 20
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */ 21 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
22 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
17 static void 23 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 24 stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
19 { 25 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */ 26 puts ("stdin ready");
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */ 27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */ 28 // with its corresponding stop function.
29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
30
31 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating
32 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL);
23 } 33 }
24 34
35 // another callback, this time for a time-out
25 static void 36 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 { 38 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */ 39 puts ("timeout");
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */ 40 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating
41 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE);
30 } 42 }
31 43
32 int 44 int
33 main (void) 45 main (void)
34 { 46 {
47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36 49
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */ 50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
38 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);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40 54
55 // initialise a timer watcher, then start it
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */ 56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44 59
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */ 60 // now wait for events to arrive
46 ev_loop (loop, 0); 61 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47 62
63 // unloop was called, so exit
48 return 0; 64 return 0;
49 } 65 }
50 66
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
52 68
69This document documents the libev software package.
70
53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted 71The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first 72web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>. 73time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
74
75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
76libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
78with libev.
79
80Familarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document.
82
83=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
56 84
57Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 85Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 86file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
59these event sources and provide your program with events. 87these event sources and provide your program with events.
60 88
61To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process 89To do this, it must take more or less complete control over your process
62(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then 90(or thread) by executing the I<event loop> handler, and will then
63communicate events via a callback mechanism. 91communicate events via a callback mechanism.
65You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event 93You register interest in certain events by registering so-called I<event
66watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the 94watchers>, which are relatively small C structures you initialise with the
67details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 95details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
68watcher. 96watcher.
69 97
70=head1 FEATURES 98=head2 FEATURES
71 99
72Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 100Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
73BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 101BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
74for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 102for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
75(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 103(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
76with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals 104inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
77(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event 105timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
78watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, 106(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
79C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as 107change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
80file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events 108loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
81(C<ev_fork>). 109C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
110limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
82 111
83It also is quite fast (see this 112It also is quite fast (see this
84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 113L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
85for example). 114for example).
86 115
87=head1 CONVENTIONS 116=head2 CONVENTIONS
88 117
89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will 118Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about 119configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in 120more info about various configuration options please have a look at
92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event 121B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop> 122for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument. 123name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
124this argument.
95 125
96=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
97 127
98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 129the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practise
100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 130somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 131ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 132too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
103it, you should treat it as such. 133any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
134
135Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
136time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
137
138=head1 ERROR HANDLING
139
140Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
141and internal errors (bugs).
142
143When libev catches an operating system error it cannot handle (for example
144a system call indicating a condition libev cannot fix), it calls the callback
145set via C<ev_set_syserr_cb>, which is supposed to fix the problem or
146abort. The default is to print a diagnostic message and to call C<abort
147()>.
148
149When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
150it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
151so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
152the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
153
154Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has
155extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
156circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse.
157
104 158
105=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 159=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
106 160
107These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 161These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
108library in any way. 162library in any way.
113 167
114Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 168Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
115C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 169C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
116you actually want to know. 170you actually want to know.
117 171
172=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
173
174Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
175either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
176this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
177
118=item int ev_version_major () 178=item int ev_version_major ()
119 179
120=item int ev_version_minor () 180=item int ev_version_minor ()
121 181
122You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 182You can find out the major and minor ABI version numbers of the library
123you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 183you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
124C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 184C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
125symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 185symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
126version of the library your program was compiled against. 186version of the library your program was compiled against.
127 187
188These version numbers refer to the ABI version of the library, not the
189release version.
190
128Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 191Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
129as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 192as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
130compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 193compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
131not a problem. 194not a problem.
132 195
133Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 196Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
134version. 197version (note, however, that this will not detect ABI mismatches :).
135 198
136 assert (("libev version mismatch", 199 assert (("libev version mismatch",
137 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 200 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
138 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 201 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
139 202
140=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends () 203=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
141 204
142Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*> 205Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
143value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their 206value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
145a description of the set values. 208a description of the set values.
146 209
147Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and 210Example: make sure we have the epoll method, because yeah this is cool and
148a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11 211a must have and can we have a torrent of it please!!!11
149 212
150 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 213 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
151 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 214 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
152 215
153=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 216=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
154 217
155Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 218Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
156recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 219recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
157returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 220returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
158most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it 221most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it
159(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 222(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
160libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 223libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
161 224
162=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 225=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
163 226
167C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 230C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for
168recommended ones. 231recommended ones.
169 232
170See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 233See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
171 234
172=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 235=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT]
173 236
174Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 237Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
175semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to 238semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
176allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when 239used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
177memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some 240when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
178potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc 241or take some potentially destructive action.
179function. 242
243Since some systems (at least OpenBSD and Darwin) fail to implement
244correct C<realloc> semantics, libev will use a wrapper around the system
245C<realloc> and C<free> functions by default.
180 246
181You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 247You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
182free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 248free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
183or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 249or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
184 250
185Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 251Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
186retries). 252retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>).
187 253
188 static void * 254 static void *
189 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 255 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
190 { 256 {
191 for (;;) 257 for (;;)
200 } 266 }
201 267
202 ... 268 ...
203 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 269 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
204 270
205=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); 271=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT]
206 272
207Set the callback function to call on a retryable syscall error (such 273Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
208as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 274as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
209indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 275indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
210callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 276callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
211matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 277matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
212requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 278requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
213(such as abort). 279(such as abort).
214 280
215Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too. 281Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
226 292
227=back 293=back
228 294
229=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 295=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP
230 296
231An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 297An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct>
232types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 298is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop>
233events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 299I<function>).
234 300
235If you use threads, a common model is to run the default event loop 301The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
236in your main thread (or in a separate thread) and for each thread you 302supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do
237create, you also create another event loop. Libev itself does no locking 303not.
238whatsoever, so if you mix calls to the same event loop in different
239threads, make sure you lock (this is usually a bad idea, though, even if
240done correctly, because it's hideous and inefficient).
241 304
242=over 4 305=over 4
243 306
244=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 307=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
245 308
249flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 312flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
250 313
251If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 314If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
252function. 315function.
253 316
317Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
318from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely,
319as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway).
320
321The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and
322C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler
323for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either
324create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you
325can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling
326C<ev_default_init>.
327
254The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 328The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
255backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 329backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
256 330
257The following flags are supported: 331The following flags are supported:
258 332
263The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right 337The default flags value. Use this if you have no clue (it's the right
264thing, believe me). 338thing, believe me).
265 339
266=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV> 340=item C<EVFLAG_NOENV>
267 341
268If this flag bit is ored into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 342If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
269or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 343or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
270C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 344C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
271override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 345override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
272useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 346useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
273around bugs. 347around bugs.
274 348
275=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 349=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
276 350
277Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after 351Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
278a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by 352make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
279enabling this flag.
280 353
281This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 354This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
282and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 355and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
283iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 356iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
284Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 357GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
285without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has 358without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
286C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 359C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
287 360
288The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 361The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
289forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 362forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
290flag. 363flag.
291 364
292This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 365This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
293environment variable. 366environment variable.
367
368=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
369
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
372testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
373otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
374
375=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
376
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 API
379delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
380it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
381handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
382threads that are not interested in handling them.
383
384Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
385there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
386example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
294 387
295=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 388=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
296 389
297This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 390This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
298libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 391libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
299but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 392but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
300using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually 393using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its
301the fastest backend for a low number of fds. 394usually the fastest backend for a low number of (low-numbered :) fds.
395
396To get good performance out of this backend you need a high amount of
397parallelism (most of the file descriptors should be busy). If you are
398writing a server, you should C<accept ()> in a loop to accept as many
399connections as possible during one iteration. You might also want to have
400a look at C<ev_set_io_collect_interval ()> to increase the amount of
401readiness notifications you get per iteration.
402
403This backend maps C<EV_READ> to the C<readfds> set and C<EV_WRITE> to the
404C<writefds> set (and to work around Microsoft Windows bugs, also onto the
405C<exceptfds> set on that platform).
302 406
303=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 407=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
304 408
305And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than 409And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated
306select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the 410than select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial
307number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a 411limit on the number of fds you can use (except it will slow down
308lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds). 412considerably with a lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select,
413i.e. O(total_fds). See the entry for C<EVBACKEND_SELECT>, above, for
414performance tips.
415
416This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
417C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
309 418
310=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 419=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
311 420
421Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
422kernels).
423
312For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 424For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
313but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like 425but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale
314O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales 426like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd),
315either O(1) or O(active_fds). 427epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
316 428
429The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
430of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
431dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
432descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and
433so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then
434I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can
435take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course
436hard to detect.
437
438Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
439of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
440I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
441even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
442on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
443employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
444events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required.
445
317While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will 446While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
318result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident 447will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
319(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 448incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
320best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very 449I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
321well if you register events for both fds. 450file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
451file descriptors.
322 452
323Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you 453Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
324need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data 454watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
325(or space) is available. 455i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
456starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
457extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
458as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
459take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
460
461All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
462faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
463the usage. So sad.
464
465While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
466all kernel versions tested so far.
467
468This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
469C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
326 470
327=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 471=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
328 472
329Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 473Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
330was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with 474was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
331anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its 475with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
332completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected" 476it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
477is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
478without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
333unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using 479"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
334C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>). 480C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
481system like NetBSD.
482
483You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
484only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
485the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
335 486
336It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 487It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
337kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 488kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
338course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an 489course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
339extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per 490cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
340incident, so its best to avoid that. 491two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but
492sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect
493cases
494
495This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
496
497While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
498everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
499almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
500(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
501(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
502also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
503
504This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
505C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
506C<NOTE_EOF>.
341 507
342=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8) 508=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
343 509
344This is not implemented yet (and might never be). 510This is not implemented yet (and might never be, unless you send me an
511implementation). According to reports, C</dev/poll> only supports sockets
512and is not embeddable, which would limit the usefulness of this backend
513immensely.
345 514
346=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 515=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
347 516
348This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 517This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
349it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 518it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
350 519
351Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious 520Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
352notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid 521notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
353blocking when no data (or space) is available. 522blocking when no data (or space) is available.
523
524While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
525file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
526descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
527might perform better.
528
529On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness
530notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
531in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the
532OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks).
533
534This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
535C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
354 536
355=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 537=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
356 538
357Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 539Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
358with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 540with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
359C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 541C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
360 542
543It is definitely not recommended to use this flag.
544
361=back 545=back
362 546
363If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 547If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
364backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are 548then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
365specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse 549here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
366order of their flag values :) 550()> will be tried.
367 551
368The most typical usage is like this: 552Example: This is the most typical usage.
369 553
370 if (!ev_default_loop (0)) 554 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
371 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?"); 555 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
372 556
373Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow 557Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
374environment settings to be taken into account: 558environment settings to be taken into account:
375 559
376 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV); 560 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
377 561
378Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if 562Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
379available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private 563used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
380event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds): 564private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
565fds):
381 566
382 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE); 567 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
383 568
384=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 569=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
385 570
386Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 571Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
387always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 572always distinct from the default loop.
388handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 573
389undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 574Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use
575libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
576default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
390 577
391Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 578Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
392 579
393 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 580 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
394 if (!epoller) 581 if (!epoller)
395 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 582 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
396 583
397=item ev_default_destroy () 584=item ev_default_destroy ()
398 585
399Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 586Destroys the default loop (frees all memory and kernel state etc.). None
400etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 587of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal sense, so
401sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 588e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your responsibility to
402responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before> 589either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> calling this function,
403calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 590or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually the easiest thing, you
404the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 591can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them for example).
405for example). 592
593Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
594handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
595as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
596
597In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the
598rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling
599pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use
600C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
406 601
407=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 602=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
408 603
409Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 604Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
410earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 605earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
411 606
412=item ev_default_fork () 607=item ev_default_fork ()
413 608
609This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations
414This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 610to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
415one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 611name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
416after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 612the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little
417again makes little sense). 613sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev
614functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration.
418 615
419You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and 616Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
420only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just 617a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
421fork+exec, you don't have to call it. 618because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
619during fork.
620
621On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
622process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If you
623just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to call
624it at all.
422 625
423The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 626The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
424it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 627it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
425quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 628quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
426 629
427 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 630 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
428 631
429At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
430without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
431do not need to care.
432
433=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 632=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
434 633
435Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 634Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
436C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 635C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
437after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 636after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you keep track of
637them is entirely your own problem.
438 638
639=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
640
641Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
642otherwise.
643
439=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 644=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
440 645
441Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 646Returns the current iteration count for the loop, which is identical to
442the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 647the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
443happily wraps around with enough iterations. 648happily wraps around with enough iterations.
444 649
445This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 650This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
446"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 651"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
447C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls. 652C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
653prepare and check phases.
654
655=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
656
657Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of
658times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth.
659
660Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
661C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
662in which case it is higher.
663
664Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread
665etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such
666ungentleman behaviour unless it's really convenient.
448 667
449=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 668=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
450 669
451Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 670Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
452use. 671use.
455 674
456Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 675Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
457received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not 676received events and started processing them. This timestamp does not
458change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base 677change as long as callbacks are being processed, and this is also the base
459time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the 678time used for relative timers. You can treat it as the timestamp of the
460event occuring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it). 679event occurring (or more correctly, libev finding out about it).
680
681=item ev_now_update (loop)
682
683Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
684returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
685is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>.
686
687This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
688very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
689the current time is a good idea.
690
691See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
692
693=item ev_suspend (loop)
694
695=item ev_resume (loop)
696
697These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is
698not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
699
700A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
701the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
702would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
703the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
704in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
705C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
706
707Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
708between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
709will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
710occured while suspended).
711
712After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
713given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
714without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
715
716Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
717event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
461 718
462=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 719=item ev_loop (loop, int flags)
463 720
464Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 721Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
465after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 722after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
466events. 723handling events.
467 724
468If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 725If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
469either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 726either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
470 727
471Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 728Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than
472relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 729relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
473finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program that 730finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
474automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue of 731that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
475relying on its watchers stopping correctly is a thing of beauty. 732of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
733beauty.
476 734
477A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 735A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
478those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 736those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your
479case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 737process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of
738the loop.
480 739
481A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 740A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
482neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 741necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
483your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 742will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
484one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some 743be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
485external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other 744user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
745iteration of the loop.
746
747This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
748with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
486libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 749own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
487usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 750usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
488 751
489Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 752Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
490 753
491 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 754 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
492 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 755 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
756 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
757 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
493 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 758 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
759 as to not disturb the other process.
494 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 760 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
495 - Update the "event loop time". 761 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
496 - Calculate for how long to block. 762 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
763 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having
764 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
765 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
497 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 766 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
498 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 767 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
499 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling. 768 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
500 - Queue all outstanding timers. 769 - Queue all expired timers.
501 - Queue all outstanding periodics. 770 - Queue all expired periodics.
502 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 771 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
503 - Queue all check watchers. 772 - Queue all check watchers.
504 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 773 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
505 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 774 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
506 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 775 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
507 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 776 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
508 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 777 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise
778 continue with step *.
509 779
510Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 780Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
511anymore. 781anymore.
512 782
513 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 783 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
514 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 784 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
515 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 785 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
516 ... jobs done. yeah! 786 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
517 787
518=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 788=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
519 789
520Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 790Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
521has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 791has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
522C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 792C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
523C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 793C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
524 794
795This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again.
796
797It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls.
798
525=item ev_ref (loop) 799=item ev_ref (loop)
526 800
527=item ev_unref (loop) 801=item ev_unref (loop)
528 802
529Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 803Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
530loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 804loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
531count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. If you have 805count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own.
532a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> from 806
533returning, ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before stopping it. For 807This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
808unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_loop> from
809returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
810before stopping it.
811
534example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is not 812As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
535visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 813is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from
536no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 814exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
537way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 815excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
538libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 816third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
817before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
818before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
819(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
820in the callback).
539 821
540Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 822Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
541running when nothing else is active. 823running when nothing else is active.
542 824
543 struct ev_signal exitsig; 825 ev_signal exitsig;
544 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 826 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
545 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 827 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
546 evf_unref (loop); 828 evf_unref (loop);
547 829
548Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 830Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
549 831
550 ev_ref (loop); 832 ev_ref (loop);
551 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 833 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
834
835=item ev_set_io_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
836
837=item ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (loop, ev_tstamp interval)
838
839These advanced functions influence the time that libev will spend waiting
840for events. Both time intervals are by default C<0>, meaning that libev
841will try to invoke timer/periodic callbacks and I/O callbacks with minimum
842latency.
843
844Setting these to a higher value (the C<interval> I<must> be >= C<0>)
845allows libev to delay invocation of I/O and timer/periodic callbacks
846to increase efficiency of loop iterations (or to increase power-saving
847opportunities).
848
849The idea is that sometimes your program runs just fast enough to handle
850one (or very few) event(s) per loop iteration. While this makes the
851program responsive, it also wastes a lot of CPU time to poll for new
852events, especially with backends like C<select ()> which have a high
853overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
854
855By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
856time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
857at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
858C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
859introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
860sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
861once per this interval, on average.
862
863Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
864to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
865latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
866later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
867value will not introduce any overhead in libev.
868
869Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
870interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
871interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
872usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
873as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
874you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
875parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
876need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
877then you can't do more than 100 transations per second).
878
879Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
880saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
881are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
882times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
883reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
884they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
885
886Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
887more often than 100 times per second:
888
889 ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
890 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
891
892=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
893
894This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
895pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required,
896but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy.
897
898=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
899
900Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
901are pending.
902
903=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
904
905This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
906invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call
907this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
908invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
909
910If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
911callback.
912
913=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P))
914
915Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
916can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
917each call to a libev function.
918
919However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to
920wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via
921C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release>
922and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
923
924When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
925suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
926afterwards.
927
928Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
929C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
930
931While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
932C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
933modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
934have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
935waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it
936to take note of any changes you made.
937
938In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between
939invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
940
941See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
942document.
943
944=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
945
946=item ev_userdata (loop)
947
948Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
949C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
950C<0.>
951
952These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
953and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
954C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
955any other purpose as well.
956
957=item ev_loop_verify (loop)
958
959This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
960compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
961through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
962is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
963error and call C<abort ()>.
964
965This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
966circumstances, this function will never abort as of course libev keeps its
967data structures consistent.
552 968
553=back 969=back
554 970
555 971
556=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 972=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
973
974In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
975watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
976watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
557 977
558A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 978A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
559interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 979interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
560become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 980become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
561 981
562 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 982 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
563 { 983 {
564 ev_io_stop (w); 984 ev_io_stop (w);
565 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 985 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
566 } 986 }
567 987
568 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 988 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
989
569 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 990 ev_io stdin_watcher;
991
570 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 992 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
571 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 993 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
572 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 994 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
995
573 ev_loop (loop, 0); 996 ev_loop (loop, 0);
574 997
575As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 998As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
576watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 999watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
577although this can sometimes be quite valid). 1000stack).
1001
1002Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
1003or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
578 1004
579Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1005Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init
580(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1006(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This
581callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of io 1007callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O
582watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1008watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given
583is readable and/or writable). 1009is readable and/or writable).
584 1010
585Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 1011Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
586with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 1012macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
587to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 1013is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
588(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1014ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
589 1015
590To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 1016To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
591with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 1017with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
592*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 1018*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
593corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 1019corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
594 1020
595As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 1021As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
596must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 1022must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
597reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 1023reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
598 1024
599Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 1025Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
600registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 1026registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
601third argument. 1027third argument.
602 1028
611=item C<EV_WRITE> 1037=item C<EV_WRITE>
612 1038
613The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or 1039The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
614writable. 1040writable.
615 1041
616=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> 1042=item C<EV_TIMER>
617 1043
618The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out. 1044The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
619 1045
620=item C<EV_PERIODIC> 1046=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
621 1047
656=item C<EV_FORK> 1082=item C<EV_FORK>
657 1083
658The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 1084The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
659C<ev_fork>). 1085C<ev_fork>).
660 1086
1087=item C<EV_ASYNC>
1088
1089The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1090
1091=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
1092
1093Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
1094by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
1095
661=item C<EV_ERROR> 1096=item C<EV_ERROR>
662 1097
663An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 1098An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
664happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 1099happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
665ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 1100ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
1101problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
1102
666problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 1103You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
667with the watcher being stopped. 1104watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
1105an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
1106bug in your program.
668 1107
669Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, 1108Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
670for example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if 1109example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
671your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 1110callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
672with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 1111the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
673programs, though, so beware. 1112programs, though, as the fd could already be closed and reused for another
1113thing, so beware.
674 1114
675=back 1115=back
676 1116
677=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 1117=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
678
679In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
680e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
681 1118
682=over 4 1119=over 4
683 1120
684=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1121=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
685 1122
691which rolls both calls into one. 1128which rolls both calls into one.
692 1129
693You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 1130You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
694(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 1131(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
695 1132
696The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 1133The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
697int revents)>. 1134int revents)>.
698 1135
1136Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
1137
1138 ev_io w;
1139 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
1140 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1141
699=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1142=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
700 1143
701This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1144This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
702call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1145call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
703call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1146call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
704macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1147macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
705difference to the C<ev_init> macro). 1148difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
706 1149
707Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments 1150Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
708(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro. 1151(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
709 1152
1153See C<ev_init>, above, for an example.
1154
710=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args]) 1155=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
711 1156
712This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro 1157This convenience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
713calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise 1158calls into a single call. This is the most convenient method to initialise
714a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course. 1159a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
715 1160
1161Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
1162
1163 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1164
716=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1165=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
717 1166
718Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1167Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
719events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1168events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
720 1169
1170Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1171whole section.
1172
1173 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1174
721=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1175=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
722 1176
723Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 1177Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1178the watcher was active or not).
1179
724status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 1180It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
725non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 1181non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
726C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 1182calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
727you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 1183pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
728good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 1184therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
729 1185
730=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1186=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
731 1187
732Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1188Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
733and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1189and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
736=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1192=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
737 1193
738Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 1194Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
739events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 1195events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
740is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 1196is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
741C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to 1197C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
742libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 1198make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
1199it).
743 1200
744=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1201=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
745 1202
746Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1203Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
747 1204
748=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1205=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
749 1206
750Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1207Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
751(modulo threads). 1208(modulo threads).
752 1209
753=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1210=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
754 1211
755=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1212=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
756 1213
757Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1214Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
758integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1215integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
759(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked 1216(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
760before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers 1217before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
761from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers). 1218from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
762 1219
763This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
764invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
765example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
766watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
767
768If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending 1220If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
769you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality. 1221you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
770 1222
1223You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
1224pending.
1225
1226Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1227fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1228or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1229
771The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1230The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
772always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1231always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
773 1232
774Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1233See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
775fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1234priorities.
776or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range. 1235
1236=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1237
1238Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1239C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
1240can deal with that fact, as both are simply passed through to the
1241callback.
1242
1243=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1244
1245If the watcher is pending, this function clears its pending status and
1246returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
1247watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1248
1249Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1250callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1251
1252=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1253
1254Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1255had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1256initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1257not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1258
1259Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1260C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1261not started in the first place.
1262
1263See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1264functions that do not need a watcher.
777 1265
778=back 1266=back
779 1267
780 1268
781=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1269=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
782 1270
783Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1271Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
784and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1272and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
785to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1273to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
786don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1274don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
787member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own 1275member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
788data: 1276data:
789 1277
790 struct my_io 1278 struct my_io
791 { 1279 {
792 struct ev_io io; 1280 ev_io io;
793 int otherfd; 1281 int otherfd;
794 void *somedata; 1282 void *somedata;
795 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1283 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
796 } 1284 };
1285
1286 ...
1287 struct my_io w;
1288 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
797 1289
798And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1290And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
799can cast it back to your own type: 1291can cast it back to your own type:
800 1292
801 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents) 1293 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
802 { 1294 {
803 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1295 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
804 ... 1296 ...
805 } 1297 }
806 1298
807More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1299More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
808instead have been omitted. 1300instead have been omitted.
809 1301
810Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple 1302Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
811watchers: 1303embedded watchers:
812 1304
813 struct my_biggy 1305 struct my_biggy
814 { 1306 {
815 int some_data; 1307 int some_data;
816 ev_timer t1; 1308 ev_timer t1;
817 ev_timer t2; 1309 ev_timer t2;
818 } 1310 }
819 1311
820In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated, 1312In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
821you need to use C<offsetof>: 1313complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1314in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1315some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1316programmers):
822 1317
823 #include <stddef.h> 1318 #include <stddef.h>
824 1319
825 static void 1320 static void
826 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1321 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
827 { 1322 {
828 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1323 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
829 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1)); 1324 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
830 } 1325 }
831 1326
832 static void 1327 static void
833 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1328 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
834 { 1329 {
835 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy * 1330 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
836 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1331 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
837 } 1332 }
1333
1334=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1335
1336Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1337integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1338between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1339
1340In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1341description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1342range.
1343
1344There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1345by event loops:
1346
1347In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
1348of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
1349watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
1350
1351The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
1352callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
1353watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
1354before polling for new events.
1355
1356Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
1357except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
1358
1359The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
1360watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
1361libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
1362their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
1363common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
1364priority ones.
1365
1366Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
1367watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
1368C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
1369timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
1370other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
1371handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
1372the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
1373handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
1374always, what you want).
1375
1376Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
1377will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
1378received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
1379required.
1380
1381For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1382you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1383the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1384processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1385continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1386the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1387workable.
1388
1389Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1390miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1391it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
1392idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
1393the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
1394
1395Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
1396priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
1397other events are pending:
1398
1399 ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
1400 ev_io io; // actual event watcher
1401
1402 static void
1403 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1404 {
1405 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1406 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1407 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1408
1409 // start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
1410 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1411 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1412 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1413 }
1414
1415 static void
1416 idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1417 {
1418 // actual processing
1419 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
1420
1421 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as
1422 // we have handled the event
1423 ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
1424 }
1425
1426 // initialisation
1427 ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
1428 ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1429 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
1430
1431In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
1432low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
1433enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
1434during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
1435important ones.
838 1436
839 1437
840=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1438=head1 WATCHER TYPES
841 1439
842This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1440This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
866In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1464In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
867fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1465fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
868descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1466descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
869required if you know what you are doing). 1467required if you know what you are doing).
870 1468
871You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 1469If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
872(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 1470known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
873descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 1471C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
874to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share 1472descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
875the same underlying "file open"). 1473files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
876
877If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
878(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
879C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
880 1474
881Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1475Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
882receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might 1476receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might
883be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1477be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
884because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1478because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
885lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1479lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
886this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1480this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
887it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning 1481it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
888C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1482C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
889 1483
890If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not 1484If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
891play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test 1485not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
892whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface 1486re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
893such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on 1487interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already
894its own, so its quite safe to use). 1488does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1489use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1490indefinitely.
1491
1492But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1493
1494=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1495
1496Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file
1497descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means,
1498such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file
1499descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop
1500this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is
1501registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in
1502fact, a different file descriptor.
1503
1504To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1505the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1506will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1507it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1508you I<have> to call C<ev_io_set> (or C<ev_io_init>) when you change the
1509descriptor even if the file descriptor number itself did not change.
1510
1511This is how one would do it normally anyway, the important point is that
1512the libev application should not optimise around libev but should leave
1513optimisations to libev.
1514
1515=head3 The special problem of dup'ed file descriptors
1516
1517Some backends (e.g. epoll), cannot register events for file descriptors,
1518but only events for the underlying file descriptions. That means when you
1519have C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors or weirder constellations, and register
1520events for them, only one file descriptor might actually receive events.
1521
1522There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1523for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1524C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1525
1526=head3 The special problem of fork
1527
1528Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1529useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1530it in the child.
1531
1532To support fork in your programs, you either have to call
1533C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child,
1534enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or
1535C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1536
1537=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1538
1539While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1540when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1541sent a SIGPIPE, which, by default, aborts your program. For most programs
1542this is sensible behaviour, for daemons, this is usually undesirable.
1543
1544So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1545ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1546somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1547
1548=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
1549
1550Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
1551found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
1552connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
1553
1554For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
1555of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
1556rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
1557the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
1558typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
1559
1560Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
1561operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
1562situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
1563cope with overload is known (to me).
1564
1565One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
1566- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
1567situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
1568event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
1569
1570A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
1571C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
1572messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
1573what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
1574the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
1575usage.
1576
1577If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
1578descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
1579when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
1580close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
1581clients under typical overload conditions.
1582
1583The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
1584is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
1585opportunity for a DoS attack.
1586
1587=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
895 1588
896=over 4 1589=over 4
897 1590
898=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 1591=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
899 1592
900=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 1593=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
901 1594
902Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to 1595Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
903rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or 1596receive events for and C<events> is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
904C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 1597C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE>, to express the desire to receive the given events.
905 1598
906=item int fd [read-only] 1599=item int fd [read-only]
907 1600
908The file descriptor being watched. 1601The file descriptor being watched.
909 1602
910=item int events [read-only] 1603=item int events [read-only]
911 1604
912The events being watched. 1605The events being watched.
913 1606
914=back 1607=back
1608
1609=head3 Examples
915 1610
916Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1611Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
917readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1612readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
918attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1613attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
919 1614
920 static void 1615 static void
921 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1616 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
922 { 1617 {
923 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1618 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
924 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and haqndle any I/O errors 1619 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
925 } 1620 }
926 1621
927 ... 1622 ...
928 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1623 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
929 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1624 ev_io stdin_readable;
930 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1625 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
931 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1626 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
932 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1627 ev_loop (loop, 0);
933 1628
934 1629
935=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1630=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
936 1631
937Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1632Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
938given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 1633given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
939 1634
940The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 1635The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
941times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years 1636times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to January last
942time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 1637year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
943detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1638detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
944monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1639monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1640
1641The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1642passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1643might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
1644same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
1645before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
1646no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1647
1648=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1649
1650Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1651recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1652you want to raise some error after a while.
1653
1654What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1655inefficient to smart and efficient.
1656
1657In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1658gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1659data or other life sign was received).
1660
1661=over 4
1662
1663=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1664
1665This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1666start the watcher:
1667
1668 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1669 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1670
1671Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1672and start it again:
1673
1674 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1675 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1676 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1677
1678This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1679some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1680data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1681still not a constant-time operation.
1682
1683=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1684
1685This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1686C<ev_timer_start>.
1687
1688To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1689of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1690successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1691you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1692the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1693
1694That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1695C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1696member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1697
1698At start:
1699
1700 ev_init (timer, callback);
1701 timer->repeat = 60.;
1702 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1703
1704Each time there is some activity:
1705
1706 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1707
1708It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1709whether the watcher is active or not:
1710
1711 timer->repeat = 30.;
1712 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1713
1714This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1715you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1716remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1717
1718It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1719
1720=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1721
1722This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1723relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1724our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1725associated activity resets.
1726
1727In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1728but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1729within the callback:
1730
1731 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1732
1733 static void
1734 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1735 {
1736 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A);
1737 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1738
1739 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1740 if (timeout < now)
1741 {
1742 // timeout occured, take action
1743 }
1744 else
1745 {
1746 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1747 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1748 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive:
1749 w->repeat = timeout - now;
1750 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w);
1751 }
1752 }
1753
1754To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined
1755as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has
1756been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise
1757the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so
1758re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1759a timeout then.
1760
1761Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the
1762C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running.
1763
1764This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1765minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1766libev to change the timeout.
1767
1768To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity>
1769to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1770callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1771
1772 ev_init (timer, callback);
1773 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1774 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1775
1776And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1777C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1778
1779 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1780
1781This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1782time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1783
1784Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1785callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1786fix things for you.
1787
1788=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1789
1790If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1791employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1792do even better:
1793
1794When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
1795at the I<end> of the list.
1796
1797Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
1798the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
1799
1800When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
1801the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
1802update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
1803
1804This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
1805starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
1806complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
1807ensures that the list stays sorted.
1808
1809=back
1810
1811So which method the best?
1812
1813Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
1814situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
1815better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
1816one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
1817
1818Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1819rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1820off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1821overkill :)
1822
1823=head3 The special problem of time updates
1824
1825Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1826least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1827time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a
1828growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1829lots of events in one iteration.
945 1830
946The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1831The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
947time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1832time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
948of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 1833of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
949you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout 1834you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
950on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 1835timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
951 1836
952 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 1837 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
953 1838
954The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed, 1839If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
955but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then 1840update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
956order of execution is undefined. 1841()>.
1842
1843=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1844
1845When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1846can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1847
1848Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
1849all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
1850to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
1851system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
1852was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
1853towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
1854clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
1855long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
1856be adjusted accordingly.
1857
1858I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
1859operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
1860
1861The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
1862time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
1863is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
1864then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
1865will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
1866use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
1867
1868It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
1869and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
1870deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
1871C<SIGSTOP>).
1872
1873=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
957 1874
958=over 4 1875=over 4
959 1876
960=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1877=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
961 1878
962=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 1879=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
963 1880
964Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> is 1881Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat>
965C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped. If it is positive, then the 1882is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is
966timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds 1883reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be
967later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 1884configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again,
1885until stopped manually.
968 1886
969The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 1887The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
970configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 1888you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
971exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 1889trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
972the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 1890keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
973timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 1891do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
974 1892
975=item ev_timer_again (loop) 1893=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
976 1894
977This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 1895This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
978repeating. The exact semantics are: 1896repeating. The exact semantics are:
979 1897
980If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 1898If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
981 1899
982If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 1900If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
983 1901
984If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 1902If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
985C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 1903C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
986 1904
987This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1905This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
988example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 1906usage example.
989timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
990seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
991configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
992C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
993you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
994socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
995automatically restart it if need be.
996 1907
997That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> 1908=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
998altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
999 1909
1000 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 1910Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1001 ev_timer_again (loop, timer); 1911then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1002 ... 1912the timeout value currently configured.
1003 timer->again = 17.;
1004 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1005 ...
1006 timer->again = 10.;
1007 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1008 1913
1009This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time 1914That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1010you want to modify its timeout value. 1915C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
1916will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
1917roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
1918too), and so on.
1011 1919
1012=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 1920=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1013 1921
1014The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 1922The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1015or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any), 1923or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1016which is also when any modifications are taken into account. 1924which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
1017 1925
1018=back 1926=back
1019 1927
1928=head3 Examples
1929
1020Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1930Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1021 1931
1022 static void 1932 static void
1023 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1933 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1024 { 1934 {
1025 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1935 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1026 } 1936 }
1027 1937
1028 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1938 ev_timer mytimer;
1029 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1939 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1030 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1940 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1031 1941
1032Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1942Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1033inactivity. 1943inactivity.
1034 1944
1035 static void 1945 static void
1036 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1946 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1037 { 1947 {
1038 .. ten seconds without any activity 1948 .. ten seconds without any activity
1039 } 1949 }
1040 1950
1041 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1951 ev_timer mytimer;
1042 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 1952 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1043 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 1953 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1044 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1954 ev_loop (loop, 0);
1045 1955
1046 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1956 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1047 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1957 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1048 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1958 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1049 1959
1050 1960
1051=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 1961=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1052 1962
1053Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1963Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1054(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1964(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1055 1965
1056Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1966Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1057but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1967relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1058to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1968(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1059periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1969difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1060+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1970time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1061take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1971wrist-watch).
1062roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
1063again).
1064 1972
1065They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1973You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1974in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
1975seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
1976not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
1977year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
1978C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
1979it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1980
1981C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1066triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1982timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1983other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
1984those cannot react to time jumps.
1067 1985
1068As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1986As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1069time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1987point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1070during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1988timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
1989earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
1990(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively).
1991
1992=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1071 1993
1072=over 4 1994=over 4
1073 1995
1074=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 1996=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1075 1997
1076=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 1998=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1077 1999
1078Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 2000Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1079operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 2001operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1080 2002
1081=over 4 2003=over 4
1082 2004
1083=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 2005=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1084 2006
1085In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 2007In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1086C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 2008time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1087that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 2009time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1088system time reaches or surpasses this time. 2010will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
2011this point in time.
1089 2012
1090=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 2013=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1091 2014
1092In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 2015In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1093C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 2016C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1094of any time jumps. 2017negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
2018argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1095 2019
1096This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 2020This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1097time: 2021system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
2022hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1098 2023
1099 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 2024 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1100 2025
1101This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 2026This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1102but only that the the callback will be called when the system time shows a 2027but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1103full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 2028full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1104by 3600. 2029by 3600.
1105 2030
1106Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2031Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1107C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2032C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1108time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2033time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1109 2034
2035For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near
2036C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
2037this value, and in fact is often specified as zero.
2038
2039Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
2040speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
2041will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
2042millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
2043
1110=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 2044=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1111 2045
1112In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 2046In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1113ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 2047ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1114reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 2048reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1115current time as second argument. 2049current time as second argument.
1116 2050
1117NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 2051NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1118ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 2052or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
1119return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by 2053allowed by documentation here>.
1120starting a prepare watcher).
1121 2054
2055If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
2056it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
2057only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
2058
1122Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 2059The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1123ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 2060*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1124 2061
2062 static ev_tstamp
1125 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2063 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1126 { 2064 {
1127 return now + 60.; 2065 return now + 60.;
1128 } 2066 }
1129 2067
1130It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 2068It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1131(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 2069(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
1132will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 2070will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
1133might be called at other times, too. 2071might be called at other times, too.
1134 2072
1135NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the 2073NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
1136passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger. 2074equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
1137 2075
1138This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 2076This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
1139triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 2077triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the
1140next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 2078next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
1141you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 2079you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
1142reason I omitted it as an example). 2080reason I omitted it as an example).
1143 2081
1144=back 2082=back
1148Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 2086Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
1149when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 2087when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
1150a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 2088a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1151program when the crontabs have changed). 2089program when the crontabs have changed).
1152 2090
2091=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
2092
2093When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
2094to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
2095C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
2096rescheduling modes.
2097
2098=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
2099
2100When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
2101absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
2102although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
2103
2104Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
2105timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
2106
1153=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 2107=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1154 2108
1155The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 2109The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1156take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 2110take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1157called. 2111called.
1158 2112
1159=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 2113=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1160 2114
1161The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 2115The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1162switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 2116switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1163the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 2117the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1164 2118
1165=back 2119=back
1166 2120
2121=head3 Examples
2122
1167Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2123Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1168system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2124system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1169potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 2125potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1170 2126
1171 static void 2127 static void
1172 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 2128 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1173 { 2129 {
1174 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2130 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1175 } 2131 }
1176 2132
1177 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2133 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1178 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 2134 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1179 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2135 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1180 2136
1181Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 2137Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1182 2138
1183 #include <math.h> 2139 #include <math.h>
1184 2140
1185 static ev_tstamp 2141 static ev_tstamp
1186 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2142 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1187 { 2143 {
1188 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 2144 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1189 } 2145 }
1190 2146
1191 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 2147 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1192 2148
1193Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 2149Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1194 2150
1195 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2151 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1196 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2152 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1197 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2153 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1198 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2154 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1199 2155
1200 2156
1201=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2157=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1202 2158
1203Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2159Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1204signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2160signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1205will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2161will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1206normal event processing, like any other event. 2162normal event processing, like any other event.
1207 2163
2164If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2165C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2166the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2167synchronously wake up an event loop.
2168
1208You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 2169You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
2170only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2171default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2172C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2173the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2174
1209first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal watcher 2175When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1210with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long 2176with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1211as you don't register any with libev). Similarly, when the last signal 2177you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1212watcher for a signal is stopped libev will reset the signal handler to 2178
1213SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before). 2179If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
2180C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2181not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2182interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2183and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2184
2185=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2186
2187Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2188(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2189stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2190and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler.
2191
2192While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2193sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2194C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2195certain signals to be blocked.
2196
2197This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
2198the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
2199choice usually).
2200
2201The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2202to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2203catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2204
2205In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2206unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2207the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2208I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2209
2210So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2211you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2212is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2213
2214=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1214 2215
1215=over 4 2216=over 4
1216 2217
1217=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum) 2218=item ev_signal_init (ev_signal *, callback, int signum)
1218 2219
1225 2226
1226The signal the watcher watches out for. 2227The signal the watcher watches out for.
1227 2228
1228=back 2229=back
1229 2230
2231=head3 Examples
2232
2233Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
2234
2235 static void
2236 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
2237 {
2238 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
2239 }
2240
2241 ev_signal signal_watcher;
2242 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
2243 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
2244
1230 2245
1231=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 2246=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1232 2247
1233Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 2248Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1234some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 2249some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
2250exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
2251has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
2252as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
2253forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
2254but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
2255in the next callback invocation is not.
2256
2257Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
2258you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
2259
2260Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
2261handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
2262libev)
2263
2264=head3 Process Interaction
2265
2266Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
2267initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
2268first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
2269of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
2270synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
2271children, even ones not watched.
2272
2273=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
2274
2275Libev offers no special support for overriding the built-in child
2276processing, but if your application collides with libev's default child
2277handler, you can override it easily by installing your own handler for
2278C<SIGCHLD> after initialising the default loop, and making sure the
2279default loop never gets destroyed. You are encouraged, however, to use an
2280event-based approach to child reaping and thus use libev's support for
2281that, so other libev users can use C<ev_child> watchers freely.
2282
2283=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
2284
2285Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
2286child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
2287callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
2288when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
2289problem).
2290
2291=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1235 2292
1236=over 4 2293=over 4
1237 2294
1238=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid) 2295=item ev_child_init (ev_child *, callback, int pid, int trace)
1239 2296
1240=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid) 2297=item ev_child_set (ev_child *, int pid, int trace)
1241 2298
1242Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or 2299Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of process C<pid> (or
1243I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look 2300I<any> process if C<pid> is specified as C<0>). The callback can look
1244at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 2301at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1245the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 2302the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1246C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 2303C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1247process causing the status change. 2304process causing the status change. C<trace> must be either C<0> (only
2305activate the watcher when the process terminates) or C<1> (additionally
2306activate the watcher when the process is stopped or continued).
1248 2307
1249=item int pid [read-only] 2308=item int pid [read-only]
1250 2309
1251The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id. 2310The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1252 2311
1259The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems 2318The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1260C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details). 2319C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1261 2320
1262=back 2321=back
1263 2322
1264Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 2323=head3 Examples
1265 2324
2325Example: C<fork()> a new process and install a child handler to wait for
2326its completion.
2327
2328 ev_child cw;
2329
1266 static void 2330 static void
1267 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 2331 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1268 { 2332 {
1269 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2333 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
2334 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1270 } 2335 }
1271 2336
1272 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 2337 pid_t pid = fork ();
1273 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2338
1274 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 2339 if (pid < 0)
2340 // error
2341 else if (pid == 0)
2342 {
2343 // the forked child executes here
2344 exit (1);
2345 }
2346 else
2347 {
2348 ev_child_init (&cw, child_cb, pid, 0);
2349 ev_child_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &cw);
2350 }
1275 2351
1276 2352
1277=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 2353=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1278 2354
1279This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 2355This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1280C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 2356C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1281compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 2357and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
2358it did.
1282 2359
1283The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 2360The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1284not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 2361not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1285not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 2362exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1286otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 2363C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1287the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 2364least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
2365contents.
1288 2366
1289The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 2367The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
2368C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1290relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 2369your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1291 2370
1292Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply 2371Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1293calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You 2372portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1294can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify 2373to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1295a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable, 2374interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1296unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around 2375recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1297five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also 2376(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1298impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats 2377change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1299usually overkill. 2378currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1300 2379
1301This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 2380This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1302as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 2381as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1303resource-intensive. 2382resource-intensive.
1304 2383
1305At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is 2384At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1306implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the 2385is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1307reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the 2386exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1308semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs 2387implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1309to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are 2388
1310usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no 2389=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1311polling. 2390
2391Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
2392compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
2393support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
2394structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
2395use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
2396compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
2397obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
2398most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
2399
2400The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
2401file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
2402optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
2403to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
2404default compilation environment.
2405
2406=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
2407
2408When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
2409runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
2410inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
2411watcher is being started.
2412
2413Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
2414except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
2415making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
2416there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
2417but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
2418many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
2419a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
2420xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
2421
2422There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
2423implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
2424descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
2425etc. is difficult.
2426
2427=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
2428
2429Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
2430the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2431()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2432
2433For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2434busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2435as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
2436watcher).
2437
2438For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2439time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2440often takes multiple milliseconds.
2441
2442Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
2443paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
2444
2445=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
2446
2447The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
2448and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
2449still only support whole seconds.
2450
2451That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
2452easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
2453calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
2454within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
2455stat data does change in other ways (e.g. file size).
2456
2457The solution to this is to delay acting on a change for slightly more
2458than a second (or till slightly after the next full second boundary), using
2459a roughly one-second-delay C<ev_timer> (e.g. C<ev_timer_set (w, 0., 1.02);
2460ev_timer_again (loop, w)>).
2461
2462The C<.02> offset is added to work around small timing inconsistencies
2463of some operating systems (where the second counter of the current time
2464might be be delayed. One such system is the Linux kernel, where a call to
2465C<gettimeofday> might return a timestamp with a full second later than
2466a subsequent C<time> call - if the equivalent of C<time ()> is used to
2467update file times then there will be a small window where the kernel uses
2468the previous second to update file times but libev might already execute
2469the timer callback).
2470
2471=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1312 2472
1313=over 4 2473=over 4
1314 2474
1315=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval) 2475=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1316 2476
1320C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to 2480C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1321be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose 2481be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1322a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same 2482a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1323path for as long as the watcher is active. 2483path for as long as the watcher is active.
1324 2484
1325The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected, 2485The callback will receive an C<EV_STAT> event when a change was detected,
1326relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the 2486relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1327last change was detected). 2487last change was detected).
1328 2488
1329=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *) 2489=item ev_stat_stat (loop, ev_stat *)
1330 2490
1331Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the 2491Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1332watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid 2492watched path in your callback, you could call this function to avoid
1333detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be 2493detecting this change (while introducing a race condition if you are not
1334useful simply to find out the new values. 2494the only one changing the path). Can also be useful simply to find out the
2495new values.
1335 2496
1336=item ev_statdata attr [read-only] 2497=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1337 2498
1338The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of 2499The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is
1339C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types 2500C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1340suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there 2501suitable for your system, but you can only rely on the POSIX-standardised
2502members to be present. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there was
1341was some error while C<stat>ing the file. 2503some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1342 2504
1343=item ev_statdata prev [read-only] 2505=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1344 2506
1345The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever 2507The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1346C<prev> != C<attr>. 2508C<prev> != C<attr>, or, more precisely, one or more of these members
2509differ: C<st_dev>, C<st_ino>, C<st_mode>, C<st_nlink>, C<st_uid>,
2510C<st_gid>, C<st_rdev>, C<st_size>, C<st_atime>, C<st_mtime>, C<st_ctime>.
1347 2511
1348=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only] 2512=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1349 2513
1350The specified interval. 2514The specified interval.
1351 2515
1352=item const char *path [read-only] 2516=item const char *path [read-only]
1353 2517
1354The filesystem path that is being watched. 2518The file system path that is being watched.
1355 2519
1356=back 2520=back
1357 2521
2522=head3 Examples
2523
1358Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes. 2524Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1359 2525
1360 static void 2526 static void
1361 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents) 2527 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1362 { 2528 {
1363 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */ 2529 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1364 if (w->attr.st_nlink) 2530 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1365 { 2531 {
1366 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size); 2532 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1367 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2533 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1368 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime); 2534 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1369 } 2535 }
1370 else 2536 else
1371 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */ 2537 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1372 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. " 2538 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1373 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n"); 2539 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1374 } 2540 }
1375 2541
1376 ... 2542 ...
1377 ev_stat passwd; 2543 ev_stat passwd;
1378 2544
1379 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd"); 2545 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
1380 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd); 2546 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2547
2548Example: Like above, but additionally use a one-second delay so we do not
2549miss updates (however, frequent updates will delay processing, too, so
2550one might do the work both on C<ev_stat> callback invocation I<and> on
2551C<ev_timer> callback invocation).
2552
2553 static ev_stat passwd;
2554 static ev_timer timer;
2555
2556 static void
2557 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2558 {
2559 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ w);
2560
2561 /* now it's one second after the most recent passwd change */
2562 }
2563
2564 static void
2565 stat_cb (EV_P_ ev_stat *w, int revents)
2566 {
2567 /* reset the one-second timer */
2568 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ &timer);
2569 }
2570
2571 ...
2572 ev_stat_init (&passwd, stat_cb, "/etc/passwd", 0.);
2573 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
2574 ev_timer_init (&timer, timer_cb, 0., 1.02);
1381 2575
1382 2576
1383=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do... 2577=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1384 2578
1385Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher 2579Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1386priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not 2580priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count
1387count). 2581as receiving "events").
1388 2582
1389That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts 2583That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1390(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be 2584(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1391triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers 2585triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1392are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop 2586are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1399Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2593Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1400effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2594effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1401"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2595"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1402event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2596event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1403 2597
2598=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2599
1404=over 4 2600=over 4
1405 2601
1406=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2602=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1407 2603
1408Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 2604Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1409kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2605kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1410believe me. 2606believe me.
1411 2607
1412=back 2608=back
1413 2609
2610=head3 Examples
2611
1414Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 2612Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1415callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2613callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1416 2614
1417 static void 2615 static void
1418 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 2616 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1419 { 2617 {
1420 free (w); 2618 free (w);
1421 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2619 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1422 // no longer asnything immediate to do. 2620 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1423 } 2621 }
1424 2622
1425 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 2623 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1426 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2624 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1427 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2625 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1428 2626
1429 2627
1430=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2628=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1431 2629
1432Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 2630Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
1433prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2631prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1434afterwards. 2632afterwards.
1435 2633
1436You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2634You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1437the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2635the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1440those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2638those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1441C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2639C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1442called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 2640called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1443 2641
1444Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 2642Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1445their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 2643their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
1446variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 2644variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1447coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 2645coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1448you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example, 2646you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1449in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare> 2647in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1450watcher). 2648watcher).
1451 2649
1452This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 2650This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors
1453to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 2651need to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers
1454them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 2652for them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many
1455provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 2653libraries provide exactly this functionality). Then, in the check watcher,
1456any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 2654you check for any events that occurred (by checking the pending status
1457and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 2655of all watchers and stopping them) and call back into the library. The
1458callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless, 2656I/O and timer callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid
1459because you never know, you know?). 2657nevertheless, because you never know, you know?).
1460 2658
1461As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 2659As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
1462coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 2660coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
1463during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 2661during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
1464are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines 2662are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
1465with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 2663with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1466of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 2664of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1467loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2665loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1468low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2666low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1469 2667
2668It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
2669priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
2670after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers).
2671
2672Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2673activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2674might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2675C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2676loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2677C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2678others).
2679
2680=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2681
1470=over 4 2682=over 4
1471 2683
1472=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 2684=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1473 2685
1474=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 2686=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1475 2687
1476Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no 2688Initialises and configures the prepare or check watcher - they have no
1477parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 2689parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1478macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 2690macros, but using them is utterly, utterly, utterly and completely
2691pointless.
1479 2692
1480=back 2693=back
1481 2694
1482Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers 2695=head3 Examples
1483and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and 2696
2697There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
2698into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
2699(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
2700use as a working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib> embeds a
2701Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV into the
2702Glib event loop).
2703
2704Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1484in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is 2705and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1485pseudo-code only of course: 2706is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
2707priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
2708the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1486 2709
1487 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 2710 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1488 static ev_timer tw; 2711 static ev_timer tw;
1489 2712
1490 static void 2713 static void
1491 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2714 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1492 { 2715 {
1493 // set the relevant poll flags
1494 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1495 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1496 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1497 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1498 } 2716 }
1499 2717
1500 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 2718 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1501 static void 2719 static void
1502 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 2720 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1503 { 2721 {
1504 int timeout = 3600000; 2722 int timeout = 3600000;
1505 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 2723 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1506 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 2724 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1507 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 2725 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1508 2726
1509 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 2727 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1510 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 2728 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
1511 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 2729 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1512 2730
1513 // create on ev_io per pollfd 2731 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1514 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2732 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1515 { 2733 {
1516 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd, 2734 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1517 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0) 2735 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1518 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0))); 2736 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1519 2737
1520 fds [i].revents = 0; 2738 fds [i].revents = 0;
1521 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1522 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i); 2739 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1523 } 2740 }
1524 } 2741 }
1525 2742
1526 // stop all watchers after blocking 2743 // stop all watchers after blocking
1527 static void 2744 static void
1528 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 2745 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1529 { 2746 {
1530 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 2747 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1531 2748
1532 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 2749 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2750 {
2751 // set the relevant poll flags
2752 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
2753 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
2754 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
2755 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
2756 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
2757
2758 // now stop the watcher
1533 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i); 2759 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
2760 }
1534 2761
1535 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop)); 2762 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1536 } 2763 }
2764
2765Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
2766in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
2767
2768Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
2769notification (libadns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
2770callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
2771
2772 static void
2773 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2774 {
2775 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2776 update_now (EV_A);
2777
2778 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
2779 }
2780
2781 static void
2782 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
2783 {
2784 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
2785 update_now (EV_A);
2786
2787 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2788 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
2789 }
2790
2791 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
2792
2793Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
2794want to embed is not flexible enough to support it. Instead, you can
2795override their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the
2796main loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module uses
2797this approach, effectively embedding EV as a client into the horrible
2798libglib event loop.
2799
2800 static gint
2801 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
2802 {
2803 int got_events = 0;
2804
2805 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2806 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
2807
2808 if (timeout >= 0)
2809 // create/start timer
2810
2811 // poll
2812 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2813
2814 // stop timer again
2815 if (timeout >= 0)
2816 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2817
2818 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
2819 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
2820 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
2821
2822 return got_events;
2823 }
1537 2824
1538 2825
1539=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough... 2826=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1540 2827
1541This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 2828This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1547prioritise I/O. 2834prioritise I/O.
1548 2835
1549As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 2836As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1550sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you 2837sockets on some platform, so it is unusable as generic backend, but you
1551still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales 2838still want to make use of it because you have many sockets and it scales
1552so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed it 2839so nicely. In this case, you would create a kqueue-based loop and embed
1553into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation will 2840it into your default loop (which might use e.g. poll). Overall operation
1554be a bit slower because first libev has to poll and then call kevent, but 2841will be a bit slower because first libev has to call C<poll> and then
1555at least you can use both at what they are best. 2842C<kevent>, but at least you can use both mechanisms for what they are
2843best: C<kqueue> for scalable sockets and C<poll> if you want it to work :)
1556 2844
1557As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 2845As for prioritising I/O: under rare circumstances you have the case where
1558to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 2846some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
1559priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 2847and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
1560you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 2848this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
1561a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 2849the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1562 2850
1563As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 2851As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
1564there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 2852time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
1565call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 2853must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
1566their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 2854sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
1567loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 2855C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
1568to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 2856to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
1569embedded loop sweep.
1570 2857
1571As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 2858You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
1572callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 2859will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
1573set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1574interested in that.
1575 2860
1576Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 2861Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
1577when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 2862is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
1578but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 2863embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
1579yourself. 2864C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
1580 2865
1581Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable, only the ones returned by 2866Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
1582C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 2867C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
1583portable one. 2868portable one.
1584 2869
1585So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared 2870So when you want to use this feature you will always have to be prepared
1586that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around 2871that you cannot get an embeddable loop. The recommended way to get around
1587this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to 2872this is to have a separate variables for your embeddable loop, try to
1588create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything: 2873create it, and if that fails, use the normal loop for everything.
1589 2874
1590 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 2875=head3 C<ev_embed> and fork
1591 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
1592 struct ev_embed embed;
1593
1594 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
1595 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
1596 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
1597 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
1598 : 0;
1599 2876
1600 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi 2877While the C<ev_embed> watcher is running, forks in the embedding loop will
1601 if (loop_lo) 2878automatically be applied to the embedded loop as well, so no special
1602 { 2879fork handling is required in that case. When the watcher is not running,
1603 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo); 2880however, it is still the task of the libev user to call C<ev_loop_fork ()>
1604 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed); 2881as applicable.
1605 } 2882
1606 else 2883=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1607 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1608 2884
1609=over 4 2885=over 4
1610 2886
1611=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 2887=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1612 2888
1614 2890
1615Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 2891Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1616embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 2892embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1617invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 2893invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1618to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 2894to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1619if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 2895if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1620 2896
1621=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 2897=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1622 2898
1623Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 2899Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1624similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 2900similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1625apropriate way for embedded loops. 2901appropriate way for embedded loops.
1626 2902
1627=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only] 2903=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
1628 2904
1629The embedded event loop. 2905The embedded event loop.
1630 2906
1631=back 2907=back
2908
2909=head3 Examples
2910
2911Example: Try to get an embeddable event loop and embed it into the default
2912event loop. If that is not possible, use the default loop. The default
2913loop is stored in C<loop_hi>, while the embeddable loop is stored in
2914C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2915used).
2916
2917 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2918 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2919 ev_embed embed;
2920
2921 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2922 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2923 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2924 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2925 : 0;
2926
2927 // if we got one, then embed it, otherwise default to loop_hi
2928 if (loop_lo)
2929 {
2930 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_lo);
2931 ev_embed_start (loop_hi, &embed);
2932 }
2933 else
2934 loop_lo = loop_hi;
2935
2936Example: Check if kqueue is available but not recommended and create
2937a kqueue backend for use with sockets (which usually work with any
2938kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2939C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2940
2941 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2942 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2943 ev_embed embed;
2944
2945 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2946 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2947 {
2948 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2949 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2950 }
2951
2952 if (!loop_socket)
2953 loop_socket = loop;
2954
2955 // now use loop_socket for all sockets, and loop for everything else
1632 2956
1633 2957
1634=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 2958=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1635 2959
1636Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 2960Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1639event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 2963event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1640and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 2964and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1641C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 2965C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1642handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 2966handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1643 2967
2968=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
2969
2970Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste
2971up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
2972sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
2973
2974This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
2975in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
2976fork.
2977
2978The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
2979forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
2980when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
2981
2982When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
2983wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
2984supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
2985process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
2986
2987The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
2988simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
2989use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
2990memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
2991disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
2992signal watchers).
2993
2994When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
2995other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
2996C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying
2997the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you
2998have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note
2999also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers.
3000
3001=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3002
1644=over 4 3003=over 4
1645 3004
1646=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3005=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1647 3006
1648Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 3007Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1650believe me. 3009believe me.
1651 3010
1652=back 3011=back
1653 3012
1654 3013
3014=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop
3015
3016In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
3017asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
3018loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
3019
3020Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not
3021control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what
3022C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you
3023can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal
3024safe.
3025
3026This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
3027too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
3028(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
3029C<ev_async_sent> calls).
3030
3031Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
3032just the default loop.
3033
3034=head3 Queueing
3035
3036C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
3037is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
3038multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
3039need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
3040semantics.
3041
3042That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
3043queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
3044queue:
3045
3046=over 4
3047
3048=item queueing from a signal handler context
3049
3050To implement race-free queueing, you simply add to the queue in the signal
3051handler but you block the signal handler in the watcher callback. Here is
3052an example that does that for some fictitious SIGUSR1 handler:
3053
3054 static ev_async mysig;
3055
3056 static void
3057 sigusr1_handler (void)
3058 {
3059 sometype data;
3060
3061 // no locking etc.
3062 queue_put (data);
3063 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
3064 }
3065
3066 static void
3067 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3068 {
3069 sometype data;
3070 sigset_t block, prev;
3071
3072 sigemptyset (&block);
3073 sigaddset (&block, SIGUSR1);
3074 sigprocmask (SIG_BLOCK, &block, &prev);
3075
3076 while (queue_get (&data))
3077 process (data);
3078
3079 if (sigismember (&prev, SIGUSR1)
3080 sigprocmask (SIG_UNBLOCK, &block, 0);
3081 }
3082
3083(Note: pthreads in theory requires you to use C<pthread_setmask>
3084instead of C<sigprocmask> when you use threads, but libev doesn't do it
3085either...).
3086
3087=item queueing from a thread context
3088
3089The strategy for threads is different, as you cannot (easily) block
3090threads but you can easily preempt them, so to queue safely you need to
3091employ a traditional mutex lock, such as in this pthread example:
3092
3093 static ev_async mysig;
3094 static pthread_mutex_t mymutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
3095
3096 static void
3097 otherthread (void)
3098 {
3099 // only need to lock the actual queueing operation
3100 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
3101 queue_put (data);
3102 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
3103
3104 ev_async_send (EV_DEFAULT_ &mysig);
3105 }
3106
3107 static void
3108 mysig_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3109 {
3110 pthread_mutex_lock (&mymutex);
3111
3112 while (queue_get (&data))
3113 process (data);
3114
3115 pthread_mutex_unlock (&mymutex);
3116 }
3117
3118=back
3119
3120
3121=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3122
3123=over 4
3124
3125=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
3126
3127Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
3128kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
3129trust me.
3130
3131=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3132
3133Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3134an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike
3135C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or
3136similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding
3137section below on what exactly this means).
3138
3139Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3140compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
3141is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
3142reset when the event loop detects that).
3143
3144This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop
3145iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to
3146repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop.
3147
3148=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3149
3150Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3151watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
3152event loop.
3153
3154C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
3155the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
3156it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
3157quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
3158
3159Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
3160only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
3161is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
3162notification, and the callback being invoked.
3163
3164=back
3165
3166
1655=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 3167=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1656 3168
1657There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 3169There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
1658 3170
1659=over 4 3171=over 4
1660 3172
1661=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 3173=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
1662 3174
1663This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 3175This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
1664callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 3176callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
1665watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 3177watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
1666or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 3178or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
1667more watchers yourself. 3179more watchers yourself.
1668 3180
1669If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 3181If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and the
1670is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 3182C<events> argument is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for
1671C<events> set will be craeted and started. 3183the given C<fd> and C<events> set will be created and started.
1672 3184
1673If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3185If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
1674started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3186started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
1675repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 3187repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
1676dubious value.
1677 3188
1678The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3189The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
1679passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3190passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
1680C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3191C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
1681value passed to C<ev_once>: 3192value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
3193a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
3194events precedence.
1682 3195
3196Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
3197
1683 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3198 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
1684 { 3199 {
1685 if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT)
1686 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1687 else if (revents & EV_READ) 3200 if (revents & EV_READ)
1688 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 3201 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
3202 else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
3203 /* doh, nothing entered */;
1689 } 3204 }
1690 3205
1691 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3206 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1692 3207
1693=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1694
1695Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1696had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1697initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1698
1699=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3208=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
1700 3209
1701Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3210Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1702the given events it. 3211the given events it.
1703 3212
1704=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3213=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
1705 3214
1706Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default 3215Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default
1707loop!). 3216loop!).
1708 3217
1709=back 3218=back
1710 3219
1711 3220
1727 3236
1728=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 3237=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
1729will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 3238will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
1730is an ev_pri field. 3239is an ev_pri field.
1731 3240
3241=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3242first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals.
3243
1732=item * Other members are not supported. 3244=item * Other members are not supported.
1733 3245
1734=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 3246=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
1735to use the libev header file and library. 3247to use the libev header file and library.
1736 3248
1737=back 3249=back
1738 3250
1739=head1 C++ SUPPORT 3251=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1740 3252
1741Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3253Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1742you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3254you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1743the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3255the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1744 3256
1745To use it, 3257To use it,
1746 3258
1747 #include <ev++.h> 3259 #include <ev++.h>
1748 3260
1749(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h> 3261This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1750and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 3262of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1751namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace. 3263put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
3264options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1752 3265
1753It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably 3266Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1754C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 3267classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3268that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3269you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3270
3271Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
3272used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
3273need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
3274types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
3275it).
1755 3276
1756Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3277Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1757 3278
1758=over 4 3279=over 4
1759 3280
1775 3296
1776All of those classes have these methods: 3297All of those classes have these methods:
1777 3298
1778=over 4 3299=over 4
1779 3300
1780=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 3301=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1781 3302
1782=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 3303=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
1783 3304
1784=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 3305=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1785 3306
1786The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 3307The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1787the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 3308with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1788C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 3309
1789before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor 3310The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1790automatically associates the default loop with this watcher. 3311C<set> method before starting it.
3312
3313It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
3314method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
3315
3316(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
3317not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1791 3318
1792The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active. 3319The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
1793 3320
3321=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
3322
3323This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
3324signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
3325first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
3326parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
3327
3328This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
3329the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
3330callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
3331your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
3332thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
3333
3334Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
3335
3336 struct myclass
3337 {
3338 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3339 }
3340
3341 myclass obj;
3342 ev::io iow;
3343 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
3344
3345=item w->set (object *)
3346
3347This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
3348
3349This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
3350will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
3351functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
3352the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
3353list.
3354
3355The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
3356int revents)>.
3357
3358See the method-C<set> above for more details.
3359
3360Example: use a functor object as callback.
3361
3362 struct myfunctor
3363 {
3364 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
3365 {
3366 ...
3367 }
3368 }
3369
3370 myfunctor f;
3371
3372 ev::io w;
3373 w.set (&f);
3374
3375=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
3376
3377Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
3378callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
3379C<data> member and is free for you to use.
3380
3381The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
3382
3383See the method-C<set> above for more details.
3384
3385Example: Use a plain function as callback.
3386
3387 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3388 iow.set <io_cb> ();
3389
1794=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 3390=item w->set (loop)
1795 3391
1796Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 3392Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1797do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 3393do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1798 3394
1799=item w->set ([args]) 3395=item w->set ([arguments])
1800 3396
1801Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 3397Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be
1802called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 3398called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1803automatically stopped and restarted. 3399automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
3400method.
1804 3401
1805=item w->start () 3402=item w->start ()
1806 3403
1807Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the 3404Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1808constructor already takes the loop. 3405constructor already stores the event loop.
1809 3406
1810=item w->stop () 3407=item w->stop ()
1811 3408
1812Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 3409Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1813 3410
1814=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only 3411=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
1815 3412
1816For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding 3413For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1817C<ev_TYPE_again> function. 3414C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1818 3415
1819=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 3416=item w->sweep () (C<ev::embed> only)
1820 3417
1821Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 3418Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1822 3419
1823=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only 3420=item w->update () (C<ev::stat> only)
1824 3421
1825Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>. 3422Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1826 3423
1827=back 3424=back
1828 3425
1829=back 3426=back
1830 3427
1831Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 3428Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1832the constructor. 3429the constructor.
1833 3430
1834 class myclass 3431 class myclass
1835 { 3432 {
1836 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 3433 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1837 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 3434 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1838 3435
1839 myclass (); 3436 myclass (int fd)
1840 } 3437 {
3438 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3439 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
1841 3440
1842 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1843 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1844 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1845 {
1846 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 3441 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
3442 }
1847 } 3443 };
3444
3445
3446=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
3447
3448Libev does not offer other language bindings itself, but bindings for a
3449number of languages exist in the form of third-party packages. If you know
3450any interesting language binding in addition to the ones listed here, drop
3451me a note.
3452
3453=over 4
3454
3455=item Perl
3456
3457The EV module implements the full libev API and is actually used to test
3458libev. EV is developed together with libev. Apart from the EV core module,
3459there are additional modules that implement libev-compatible interfaces
3460to C<libadns> (C<EV::ADNS>, but C<AnyEvent::DNS> is preferred nowadays),
3461C<Net::SNMP> (C<Net::SNMP::EV>) and the C<libglib> event core (C<Glib::EV>
3462and C<EV::Glib>).
3463
3464It can be found and installed via CPAN, its homepage is at
3465L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
3466
3467=item Python
3468
3469Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
3470seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
3471
3472=item Ruby
3473
3474Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
3475of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
3476more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
3477L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
3478
3479Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
3480makes rev work even on mingw.
3481
3482=item Haskell
3483
3484A haskell binding to libev is available at
3485L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3486
3487=item D
3488
3489Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3490be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>.
3491
3492=item Ocaml
3493
3494Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3495L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3496
3497=item Lua
3498
3499Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3500time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3501L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
3502
3503=back
1848 3504
1849 3505
1850=head1 MACRO MAGIC 3506=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1851 3507
1852Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is 3508Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundamental
1853C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and 3509of which is C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most)
1854callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument. 3510functions and callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1855 3511
1856To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the 3512To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1857following macros are defined: 3513following macros are defined:
1858 3514
1859=over 4 3515=over 4
1862 3518
1863This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev 3519This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1864loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 3520loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
1865C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 3521C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1866 3522
1867 ev_unref (EV_A); 3523 ev_unref (EV_A);
1868 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 3524 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1869 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3525 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1870 3526
1871It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 3527It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
1872which is often provided by the following macro. 3528which is often provided by the following macro.
1873 3529
1874=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 3530=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1875 3531
1876This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev 3532This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1877loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter, 3533loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
1878C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example: 3534C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1879 3535
1880 // this is how ev_unref is being declared 3536 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
1881 static void ev_unref (EV_P); 3537 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1882 3538
1883 // this is how you can declare your typical callback 3539 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
1884 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3540 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1885 3541
1886It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite 3542It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
1887suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 3543suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1888 3544
1889=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 3545=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1890 3546
1891Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 3547Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1892loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 3548loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
3549
3550=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3551
3552Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3553default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3554is undefined when the default loop has not been initialised by a previous
3555execution of C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> or C<ev_default_init (...)>.
3556
3557It is often prudent to use C<EV_DEFAULT> when initialising the first
3558watcher in a function but use C<EV_DEFAULT_UC> afterwards.
1893 3559
1894=back 3560=back
1895 3561
1896Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above 3562Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
1897macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported 3563macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
1898or not. 3564or not.
1899 3565
1900 static void 3566 static void
1901 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 3567 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1902 { 3568 {
1903 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w); 3569 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1904 } 3570 }
1905 3571
1906 ev_check check; 3572 ev_check check;
1907 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 3573 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1908 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 3574 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1909 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 3575 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1910 3576
1911=head1 EMBEDDING 3577=head1 EMBEDDING
1912 3578
1913Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 3579Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1914applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 3580applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1915Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe) 3581Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1916and rxvt-unicode. 3582and rxvt-unicode.
1917 3583
1918The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your 3584The goal is to enable you to just copy the necessary files into your
1919source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so 3585source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1920you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of 3586you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1921libev somewhere in your source tree). 3587libev somewhere in your source tree).
1922 3588
1923=head2 FILESETS 3589=head2 FILESETS
1924 3590
1925Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files 3591Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1926in your app. 3592in your application.
1927 3593
1928=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP 3594=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1929 3595
1930To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual 3596To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1931configuration (no autoconf): 3597configuration (no autoconf):
1932 3598
1933 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3599 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1934 #include "ev.c" 3600 #include "ev.c"
1935 3601
1936This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a 3602This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1937single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use 3603single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1938it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best 3604it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1939done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and 3605done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1940where you can put other configuration options): 3606where you can put other configuration options):
1941 3607
1942 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 3608 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1943 #include "ev.h" 3609 #include "ev.h"
1944 3610
1945Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 3611Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1946compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 3612compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1947as a bug). 3613as a bug).
1948 3614
1949You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 3615You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1950in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 3616in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1951 3617
1952 ev.h 3618 ev.h
1953 ev.c 3619 ev.c
1954 ev_vars.h 3620 ev_vars.h
1955 ev_wrap.h 3621 ev_wrap.h
1956 3622
1957 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 3623 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1958 3624
1959 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 3625 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
1960 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3626 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1961 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3627 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1962 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3628 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1963 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 3629 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1964 3630
1965F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 3631F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1966to compile this single file. 3632to compile this single file.
1967 3633
1968=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 3634=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1969 3635
1970To include the libevent compatibility API, also include: 3636To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1971 3637
1972 #include "event.c" 3638 #include "event.c"
1973 3639
1974in the file including F<ev.c>, and: 3640in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1975 3641
1976 #include "event.h" 3642 #include "event.h"
1977 3643
1978in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>. 3644in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1979 3645
1980You need the following additional files for this: 3646You need the following additional files for this:
1981 3647
1982 event.h 3648 event.h
1983 event.c 3649 event.c
1984 3650
1985=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT 3651=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1986 3652
1987Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in 3653Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your configuration in
1988whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your 3654whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1989F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then 3655F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1990include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly. 3656include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1991 3657
1992For this of course you need the m4 file: 3658For this of course you need the m4 file:
1993 3659
1994 libev.m4 3660 libev.m4
1995 3661
1996=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 3662=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1997 3663
1998Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define 3664Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
1999before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity 3665define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2000and only include the select backend. 3666the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
3667
3668Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
3669values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
3670to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
3671to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
3672users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
3673settings.
2001 3674
2002=over 4 3675=over 4
2003 3676
2004=item EV_STANDALONE 3677=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2005 3678
2006Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 3679Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2007keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 3680keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2008implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 3681implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2009supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 3682supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2010F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 3683F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2011 3684
3685In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3686configuration, but has to be more conservative.
3687
2012=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 3688=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2013 3689
2014If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3690If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2015monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use 3691monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2016of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 3692use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2017usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 3693you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2018the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have 3694when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2019to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 3695to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2020function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 3696function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2021 3697
2022=item EV_USE_REALTIME 3698=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2023 3699
2024If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 3700If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2025realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at 3701real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2026runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will 3702at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2027be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 3703option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2028(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries 3704by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2029in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 3705correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
3706C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
3707C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
3708
3709=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
3710
3711If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
3712of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
3713exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
3714unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
3715programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
3716theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
3717the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
3718higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
3719
3720=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
3721
3722If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
3723and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3724
3725=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
3726
3727If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
3728available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3729C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3730If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
37312.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2030 3732
2031=item EV_USE_SELECT 3733=item EV_USE_SELECT
2032 3734
2033If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 3735If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2034C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no 3736C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
2035other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 3737other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2036will not be compiled in. 3738will not be compiled in.
2037 3739
2038=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 3740=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2039 3741
2040If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 3742If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2041structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 3743structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2042C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on 3744C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
2043exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 3745on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
2044low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 3746some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
2045allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 3747only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
2046influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 3748configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
2047 3749
2048=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 3750=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2049 3751
2050When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 3752When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2051select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 3753select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
2053be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 3755be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2054C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 3756C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2055it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 3757it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2056on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 3758on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2057 3759
3760=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
3761
3762If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3763file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3764default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3765correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3766in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
3767
3768=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
3769
3770If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
3771using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
3772their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
3773to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
3774
3775=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
3776
3777If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
3778macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
3779file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
3780the underlying OS handle.
3781
2058=item EV_USE_POLL 3782=item EV_USE_POLL
2059 3783
2060If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 3784If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2061backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 3785backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2062takes precedence over select. 3786takes precedence over select.
2063 3787
2064=item EV_USE_EPOLL 3788=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2065 3789
2066If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 3790If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2067C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 3791C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2068otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the 3792otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2069preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems. 3793backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3794headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2070 3795
2071=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 3796=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2072 3797
2073If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 3798If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2074C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 3799C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2087otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 3812otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2088backend for Solaris 10 systems. 3813backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2089 3814
2090=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL 3815=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2091 3816
2092reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above. 3817Reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2093 3818
2094=item EV_USE_INOTIFY 3819=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2095 3820
2096If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 3821If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2097interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 3822interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2098be detected at runtime. 3823be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3824indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
2099 3825
3826=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3827
3828Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3829access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such
3830type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type
3831that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking"
3832as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3833
3834In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3835(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3836
2100=item EV_H 3837=item EV_H (h)
2101 3838
2102The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 3839The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2103undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This 3840undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
2104can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 3841used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2105 3842
2106=item EV_CONFIG_H 3843=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
2107 3844
2108If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 3845If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2109F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 3846F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2110C<EV_H>, above. 3847C<EV_H>, above.
2111 3848
2112=item EV_EVENT_H 3849=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
2113 3850
2114Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 3851Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2115of how the F<event.h> header can be found. 3852of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
2116 3853
2117=item EV_PROTOTYPES 3854=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
2118 3855
2119If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 3856If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2120prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 3857prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2121occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions 3858occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2122around libev functions. 3859around libev functions.
2141When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search 3878When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2142all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space 3879all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2143and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually 3880and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2144fine. 3881fine.
2145 3882
2146If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to 3883If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
2147C<0> will save some memory and cpu. 3884both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
2148 3885
2149=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 3886=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
3887EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
3888EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
2150 3889
2151If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 3890If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
2152defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 3891the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
2153code. 3892is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves codesize.
2154 3893
2155=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE 3894=item EV_FEATURES
2156
2157If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2158defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2159code.
2160
2161=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2162
2163If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2164defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2165
2166=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2167
2168If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2169defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2170
2171=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2172
2173If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2174defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2175
2176=item EV_MINIMAL
2177 3895
2178If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 3896If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2179speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override 3897speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
2180some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64. 3898certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3899that can be enabled on the platform.
3900
3901A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
3902with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
3903additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
3904but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
3905backend, use this:
3906
3907 #define EV_FEATURES 0
3908 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
3909 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
3910 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
3911 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
3912
3913The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
3914values:
3915
3916=over 4
3917
3918=item C<1> - faster/larger code
3919
3920Use larger code to speed up some operations.
3921
3922Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the roughly
392330% code size on amd64.
3924
3925When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
3926gcc recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
3927assertions.
3928
3929=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
3930
3931Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
3932hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase codesize
3933and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
3934runtime.
3935
3936=item C<4> - full API configuration
3937
3938This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
3939enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
3940
3941=item C<8> - full API
3942
3943This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
3944details on which parts of the API are still available without this
3945feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
3946
3947=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
3948
3949Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
3950only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
3951embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
3952C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
3953
3954=item C<32> - enable all backends
3955
3956This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
3957least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
3958
3959=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
3960
3961Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
3962default.
3963
3964=back
3965
3966Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
3967reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
3968code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
3969watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
3970
3971With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
3972when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
3973your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
3974I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
3975
3976=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
3977
3978If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
3979functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the codesize
3980somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
3981libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
3982big.
3983
3984Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
3985enabled.
3986
3987=item EV_NSIG
3988
3989The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
3990signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
3991automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
3992specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
3993good for about any system in existance) can save some memory, as libev
3994statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
2181 3995
2182=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 3996=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2183 3997
2184C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 3998C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2185pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 3999pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
2186than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 4000usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
2187increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 4001might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2188 4002
2189=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 4003=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2190 4004
2191C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4005C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2192inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 4006inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
2193usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 4007disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
2194watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 4008C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
2195two). 4009power of two).
4010
4011=item EV_USE_4HEAP
4012
4013Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
4014timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
4015to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
4016faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
4017
4018The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
4019will be C<0>.
4020
4021=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
4022
4023Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
4024timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
4025the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
4026which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
4027but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
4028noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
4029
4030The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
4031will be C<0>.
4032
4033=item EV_VERIFY
4034
4035Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will
4036be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
4037in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
4038called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
4039called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
4040verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
4041libev considerably.
4042
4043The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
4044will be C<0>.
2196 4045
2197=item EV_COMMON 4046=item EV_COMMON
2198 4047
2199By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 4048By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2200this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 4049this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2201members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 4050members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2202though, and it must be identical each time. 4051though, and it must be identical each time.
2203 4052
2204For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 4053For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2205 4054
2206 #define EV_COMMON \ 4055 #define EV_COMMON \
2207 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \ 4056 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2208 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */ 4057 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2209 4058
2210=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type) 4059=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2211 4060
2212=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents) 4061=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2213 4062
2214=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb) 4063=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2215 4064
2216Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher, 4065Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2217and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member 4066and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2218definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for 4067definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.h> header file for
2219their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to 4068their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2220avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use 4069avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2221method calls instead of plain function calls in C++. 4070method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
4071
4072=back
4073
4074=head2 EXPORTED API SYMBOLS
4075
4076If you need to re-export the API (e.g. via a DLL) and you need a list of
4077exported symbols, you can use the provided F<Symbol.*> files which list
4078all public symbols, one per line:
4079
4080 Symbols.ev for libev proper
4081 Symbols.event for the libevent emulation
4082
4083This can also be used to rename all public symbols to avoid clashes with
4084multiple versions of libev linked together (which is obviously bad in
4085itself, but sometimes it is inconvenient to avoid this).
4086
4087A sed command like this will create wrapper C<#define>'s that you need to
4088include before including F<ev.h>:
4089
4090 <Symbols.ev sed -e "s/.*/#define & myprefix_&/" >wrap.h
4091
4092This would create a file F<wrap.h> which essentially looks like this:
4093
4094 #define ev_backend myprefix_ev_backend
4095 #define ev_check_start myprefix_ev_check_start
4096 #define ev_check_stop myprefix_ev_check_stop
4097 ...
2222 4098
2223=head2 EXAMPLES 4099=head2 EXAMPLES
2224 4100
2225For a real-world example of a program the includes libev 4101For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2226verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module 4102verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2231file. 4107file.
2232 4108
2233The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 4109The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2234that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 4110that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2235 4111
2236 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 4112 #define EV_FEATURES 8
2237 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 4113 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
2238 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2239 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 4114 #define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
4115 #define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
2240 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 4116 #define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
2241 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 4117 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4118 #define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
2242 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 4119 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2243 #define EV_MINPRI 0
2244 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2245 4120
2246 #include "ev++.h" 4121 #include "ev++.h"
2247 4122
2248And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 4123And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2249 4124
2250 #include "ev_cpp.h" 4125 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2251 #include "ev.c" 4126 #include "ev.c"
2252 4127
4128=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES
2253 4129
4130=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4131
4132=head3 THREADS
4133
4134All libev functions are reentrant and thread-safe unless explicitly
4135documented otherwise, but libev implements no locking itself. This means
4136that you can use as many loops as you want in parallel, as long as there
4137are no concurrent calls into any libev function with the same loop
4138parameter (C<ev_default_*> calls have an implicit default loop parameter,
4139of course): libev guarantees that different event loops share no data
4140structures that need any locking.
4141
4142Or to put it differently: calls with different loop parameters can be done
4143concurrently from multiple threads, calls with the same loop parameter
4144must be done serially (but can be done from different threads, as long as
4145only one thread ever is inside a call at any point in time, e.g. by using
4146a mutex per loop).
4147
4148Specifically to support threads (and signal handlers), libev implements
4149so-called C<ev_async> watchers, which allow some limited form of
4150concurrency on the same event loop, namely waking it up "from the
4151outside".
4152
4153If you want to know which design (one loop, locking, or multiple loops
4154without or something else still) is best for your problem, then I cannot
4155help you, but here is some generic advice:
4156
4157=over 4
4158
4159=item * most applications have a main thread: use the default libev loop
4160in that thread, or create a separate thread running only the default loop.
4161
4162This helps integrating other libraries or software modules that use libev
4163themselves and don't care/know about threading.
4164
4165=item * one loop per thread is usually a good model.
4166
4167Doing this is almost never wrong, sometimes a better-performance model
4168exists, but it is always a good start.
4169
4170=item * other models exist, such as the leader/follower pattern, where one
4171loop is handed through multiple threads in a kind of round-robin fashion.
4172
4173Choosing a model is hard - look around, learn, know that usually you can do
4174better than you currently do :-)
4175
4176=item * often you need to talk to some other thread which blocks in the
4177event loop.
4178
4179C<ev_async> watchers can be used to wake them up from other threads safely
4180(or from signal contexts...).
4181
4182An example use would be to communicate signals or other events that only
4183work in the default loop by registering the signal watcher with the
4184default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4185watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4186
4187=back
4188
4189=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
4190
4191Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4192thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4193created/added/removed.
4194
4195For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4196which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4197languages).
4198
4199The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4200variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4201event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4202
4203First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4204
4205 typedef struct {
4206 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4207 ev_async async_w;
4208 thread_t tid;
4209 cond_t invoke_cv;
4210 } userdata;
4211
4212 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4213 {
4214 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4215 static userdata u;
4216
4217 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4218 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4219
4220 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4221 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4222
4223 // now associate this with the loop
4224 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4225 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4226 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4227
4228 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4229 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4230 }
4231
4232The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4233solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4234that might have been added:
4235
4236 static void
4237 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4238 {
4239 // just used for the side effects
4240 }
4241
4242The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4243protecting the loop data, respectively.
4244
4245 static void
4246 l_release (EV_P)
4247 {
4248 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4249 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4250 }
4251
4252 static void
4253 l_acquire (EV_P)
4254 {
4255 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4256 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4257 }
4258
4259The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4260into C<ev_loop>:
4261
4262 void *
4263 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4264 {
4265 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4266
4267 l_acquire (EV_A);
4268 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4269 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
4270 l_release (EV_A);
4271
4272 return 0;
4273 }
4274
4275Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4276signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4277writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4278have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4279and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4280watchers is very beneficial):
4281
4282 static void
4283 l_invoke (EV_P)
4284 {
4285 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4286
4287 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4288 {
4289 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4290 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4291 }
4292 }
4293
4294Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4295will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4296thread to continue:
4297
4298 static void
4299 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4300 {
4301 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4302
4303 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4304 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4305 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4306 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4307 }
4308
4309Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4310event loop, you will now have to lock:
4311
4312 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4313 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4314
4315 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4316
4317 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4318 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4319 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4320 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4321
4322Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4323an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4324about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4325watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4326
4327=head3 COROUTINES
4328
4329Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4330libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4331coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two
4332different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
4333the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
4334that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
4335
4336Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
4337C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
4338they do not call any callbacks.
4339
4340=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
4341
4342Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
4343lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
4344scared by this.
4345
4346However, these are unavoidable for many reasons. For one, each compiler
4347has different warnings, and each user has different tastes regarding
4348warning options. "Warn-free" code therefore cannot be a goal except when
4349targeting a specific compiler and compiler-version.
4350
4351Another reason is that some compiler warnings require elaborate
4352workarounds, or other changes to the code that make it less clear and less
4353maintainable.
4354
4355And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
4356wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
4357seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
4358warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have
4359been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
4360such buggy versions.
4361
4362While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
4363"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
4364with any compiler warnings enabled unless you are prepared to cope with
4365them (e.g. by ignoring them). Remember that warnings are just that:
4366warnings, not errors, or proof of bugs.
4367
4368
4369=head2 VALGRIND
4370
4371Valgrind has a special section here because it is a popular tool that is
4372highly useful. Unfortunately, valgrind reports are very hard to interpret.
4373
4374If you think you found a bug (memory leak, uninitialised data access etc.)
4375in libev, then check twice: If valgrind reports something like:
4376
4377 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
4378 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
4379 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
4380
4381Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
4382is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
4383
4384Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
4385as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
4386although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
4387confused.
4388
4389Keep in mind that valgrind is a very good tool, but only a tool. Don't
4390make it into some kind of religion.
4391
4392If you are unsure about something, feel free to contact the mailing list
4393with the full valgrind report and an explanation on why you think this
4394is a bug in libev (best check the archives, too :). However, don't be
4395annoyed when you get a brisk "this is no bug" answer and take the chance
4396of learning how to interpret valgrind properly.
4397
4398If you need, for some reason, empty reports from valgrind for your project
4399I suggest using suppression lists.
4400
4401
4402=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
4403
4404=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
4405
4406Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
4407requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4408model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4409the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4410descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4411e.g. cygwin.
4412
4413Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4414re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of
4415things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable
4416way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
4417
4418There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
4419embedding it into other applications.
4420
4421Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
4422tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
4423
4424Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
4425accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
4426either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
4427so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
4428megabyte seems safe, but this apparently depends on the amount of memory
4429available).
4430
4431Due to the many, low, and arbitrary limits on the win32 platform and
4432the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
4433is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
4434more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
4435different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
4436notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
4437(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
4438
4439A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
4440section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
4441of F<ev.h>:
4442
4443 #define EV_STANDALONE /* keeps ev from requiring config.h */
4444 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* configure libev for windows select */
4445
4446 #include "ev.h"
4447
4448And compile the following F<evwrap.c> file into your project (make sure
4449you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
4450
4451 #include "evwrap.h"
4452 #include "ev.c"
4453
4454=over 4
4455
4456=item The winsocket select function
4457
4458The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
4459requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
4460also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
4461requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
4462C runtime provides the function C<_open_osfhandle> for this). See the
4463discussion of the C<EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET>, C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> and
4464C<EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE> preprocessor symbols for more info.
4465
4466The configuration for a "naked" win32 using the Microsoft runtime
4467libraries and raw winsocket select is:
4468
4469 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
4470 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
4471
4472Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
4473complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
4474
4475=item Limited number of file descriptors
4476
4477Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
4478
4479Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
4480of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
4481can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
4482recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
4483previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
4484
4485Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
4486to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
4487call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
4488other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
4489
4490Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
4491libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
4492fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
4493by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
4494(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
4495runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
4496(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
4497you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
4498the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
4499
4500=back
4501
4502=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
4503
4504In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
4505backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
4506
4507=over 4
4508
4509=item C<void (*)(ev_watcher_type *, int revents)> must have compatible
4510calling conventions regardless of C<ev_watcher_type *>.
4511
4512Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
4513structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
4514assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
4515callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
4516calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
4517
4518=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
4519
4520The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
4521C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
4522threads. This is not part of the specification for C<sig_atomic_t>, but is
4523believed to be sufficiently portable.
4524
4525=item C<sigprocmask> must work in a threaded environment
4526
4527Libev uses C<sigprocmask> to temporarily block signals. This is not
4528allowed in a threaded program (C<pthread_sigmask> has to be used). Typical
4529pthread implementations will either allow C<sigprocmask> in the "main
4530thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
4531be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
4532C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
4533
4534The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
4535except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as
4536well.
4537
4538=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
4539
4540To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
4541instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
4542systems (Microsoft...) this might be unexpectedly low, but is still at
4543least 31 bits everywhere, which is enough for hundreds of millions of
4544watchers.
4545
4546=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
4547
4548The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4549have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good
4550enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by
4551implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing
4552ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least
45532200.
4554
4555=back
4556
4557If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4558
4559
2254=head1 COMPLEXITIES 4560=head1 ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITIES
2255 4561
2256In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside 4562In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2257libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the 4563libev will be documented. For complexity discussions about backends see
2258documentation for C<ev_default_init>. 4564the documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
4565
4566All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
4567extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
4568happens asymptotically rarer with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
4569mean that libev does a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on
4570average it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2259 4571
2260=over 4 4572=over 4
2261 4573
2262=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers) 4574=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2263 4575
2264This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and 4576This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2265there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will 4577there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that, then inserting will
2266have to skip those 100 watchers. 4578have to skip roughly seven (C<ld 100>) of these watchers.
2267 4579
2268=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers) 4580=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat or calling again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2269 4581
2270That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them 4582That means that changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them,
2271as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for. 4583as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2272 4584
2273=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1) 4585=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2274 4586
2275These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list. If 4587These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2276the array needs to be extended libev needs to realloc and move the whole
2277array, but this happen asymptotically less and less with more watchers,
2278thus amortised O(1).
2279 4588
2280=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1) 4589=item Stopping check/prepare/idle/fork/async watchers: O(1)
2281 4590
2282=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE)) 4591=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2283 4592
2284These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the 4593These watchers are stored in lists, so they need to be walked to find the
2285correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually 4594correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2286have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal). 4595have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal: one is typical, two
4596is rare).
2287 4597
2288=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1) 4598=item Finding the next timer in each loop iteration: O(1)
4599
4600By virtue of using a binary or 4-heap, the next timer is always found at a
4601fixed position in the storage array.
2289 4602
2290=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd) 4603=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2291 4604
2292A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires 4605A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2293libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel). 4606libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel, depending
4607on backend and whether C<ev_io_set> was used).
2294 4608
2295=item Activating one watcher: O(1) 4609=item Activating one watcher (putting it into the pending state): O(1)
2296 4610
2297=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities) 4611=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2298 4612
2299Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each 4613Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2300priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to 4614priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2301linearly search all the priorities. 4615linearly search all the priorities, but starting/stopping and activating
4616watchers becomes O(1) with respect to priority handling.
4617
4618=item Sending an ev_async: O(1)
4619
4620=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
4621
4622=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
4623
4624Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
4625calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events
4626involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
2302 4627
2303=back 4628=back
2304 4629
2305 4630
4631=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
4632
4633The major version 4 introduced some minor incompatible changes to the API.
4634
4635At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file tries to implement superficial
4636compatibility, so most programs should still compile. Those might be
4637removed in later versions of libev, so better update early than late.
4638
4639=over 4
4640
4641=item C<ev_loop_count> renamed to C<ev_iteration>
4642
4643=item C<ev_loop_depth> renamed to C<ev_depth>
4644
4645=item C<ev_loop_verify> renamed to C<ev_verify>
4646
4647Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
4648C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is
4649still called C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the
4650C<ev_fork> typedef.
4651
4652=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> renamed to C<EV_TIMER> in C<revents>
4653
4654This is a simple rename - all other watcher types use their name
4655as revents flag, and now C<ev_timer> does, too.
4656
4657Both C<EV_TIMER> and C<EV_TIMEOUT> symbols were present in 3.x versions
4658and continue to be present for the forseeable future, so this is mostly a
4659documentation change.
4660
4661=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
4662
4663The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
4664mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
4665and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
4666
4667=back
4668
4669
4670=head1 GLOSSARY
4671
4672=over 4
4673
4674=item active
4675
4676A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to
4677an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop).
4678
4679=item application
4680
4681In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
4682
4683=item callback
4684
4685The address of a function that is called when some event has been
4686detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
4687received the event, and the actual event bitset.
4688
4689=item callback invocation
4690
4691The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4692
4693=item event
4694
4695A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
4696for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
4697any other events happening anymore.
4698
4699In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
4700C<EV_TIMER>).
4701
4702=item event library
4703
4704A software package implementing an event model and loop.
4705
4706=item event loop
4707
4708An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
4709into callback invocations.
4710
4711=item event model
4712
4713The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
4714watchers and events.
4715
4716=item pending
4717
4718A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected,
4719and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its
4720pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
4721
4722A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
4723its pending status.
4724
4725=item real time
4726
4727The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
4728
4729=item wall-clock time
4730
4731The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
4732be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your
4733clock.
4734
4735=item watcher
4736
4737A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
4738to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
4739
4740=item watcher invocation
4741
4742The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4743
4744=back
4745
2306=head1 AUTHOR 4746=head1 AUTHOR
2307 4747
2308Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 4748Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson.
2309 4749

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