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Revision 1.17 by root, Mon Nov 12 08:57:03 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.33 by root, Fri Nov 23 15:26:08 2007 UTC

49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
50to the double type in C. 50to the double type in C.
51 51
52=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 52=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
53 53
54These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
55library in any way.
56
54=over 4 57=over 4
55 58
56=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 59=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
57 60
58Returns the current time as libev would use it. 61Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
62C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
63you actually want to know.
59 64
60=item int ev_version_major () 65=item int ev_version_major ()
61 66
62=item int ev_version_minor () 67=item int ev_version_minor ()
63 68
69 74
70Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 75Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
71as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 76as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
72compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 77compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
73not a problem. 78not a problem.
79
80=item unsigned int ev_supported_backends ()
81
82Return the set of all backends (i.e. their corresponding C<EV_BACKEND_*>
83value) compiled into this binary of libev (independent of their
84availability on the system you are running on). See C<ev_default_loop> for
85a description of the set values.
86
87=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
88
89Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also
90recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one
91returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on
92most BSDs and will not be autodetected unless you explicitly request it
93(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that
94libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
74 95
75=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 96=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
76 97
77Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 98Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the
78realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 99realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate
114=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 135=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
115 136
116This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 137This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised
117yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 138yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns
118false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 139false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the
119flags). 140flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards).
120 141
121If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 142If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
122function. 143function.
123 144
124The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 145The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
125backends to use, and is usually specified as 0 (or EVFLAG_AUTO). 146backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
126 147
127It supports the following flags: 148The following flags are supported:
128 149
129=over 4 150=over 4
130 151
131=item C<EVFLAG_AUTO> 152=item C<EVFLAG_AUTO>
132 153
140C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 161C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
141override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 162override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
142useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 163useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
143around bugs. 164around bugs.
144 165
145=item C<EVMETHOD_SELECT> (portable select backend) 166=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
146 167
168This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
169libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
170but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
171using this backend. It doesn't scale too well (O(highest_fd)), but its usually
172the fastest backend for a low number of fds.
173
147=item C<EVMETHOD_POLL> (poll backend, available everywhere except on windows) 174=item C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (value 2, poll backend, available everywhere except on windows)
148 175
149=item C<EVMETHOD_EPOLL> (linux only) 176And this is your standard poll(2) backend. It's more complicated than
177select, but handles sparse fds better and has no artificial limit on the
178number of fds you can use (except it will slow down considerably with a
179lot of inactive fds). It scales similarly to select, i.e. O(total_fds).
150 180
151=item C<EVMETHOD_KQUEUE> (some bsds only) 181=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
152 182
153=item C<EVMETHOD_DEVPOLL> (solaris 8 only) 183For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select,
184but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
185O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), epoll scales
186either O(1) or O(active_fds).
154 187
155=item C<EVMETHOD_PORT> (solaris 10 only) 188While stopping and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration will
189result in some caching, there is still a syscall per such incident
190(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its
191best to avoid that. Also, dup()ed file descriptors might not work very
192well if you register events for both fds.
193
194Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
195need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
196(or space) is available.
197
198=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
199
200Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
201was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work with
202anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course its
203completely useless). For this reason its not being "autodetected"
204unless you explicitly specify it explicitly in the flags (i.e. using
205C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>).
206
207It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
208kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
209course). While starting and stopping an I/O watcher does not cause an
210extra syscall as with epoll, it still adds up to four event changes per
211incident, so its best to avoid that.
212
213=item C<EVBACKEND_DEVPOLL> (value 16, Solaris 8)
214
215This is not implemented yet (and might never be).
216
217=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
218
219This uses the Solaris 10 port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
220it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
221
222Please note that solaris ports can result in a lot of spurious
223notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
224blocking when no data (or space) is available.
225
226=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
227
228Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
229with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
230C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
231
232=back
156 233
157If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these 234If one or more of these are ored into the flags value, then only these
158backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If one are 235backends will be tried (in the reverse order as given here). If none are
159specified, any backend will do. 236specified, most compiled-in backend will be tried, usually in reverse
237order of their flag values :)
160 238
161=back 239The most typical usage is like this:
240
241 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
242 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
243
244Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
245environment settings to be taken into account:
246
247 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
248
249Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is used if
250available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own private
251event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of fds):
252
253 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
162 254
163=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 255=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
164 256
165Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 257Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
166always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 258always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
183This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have 275This function reinitialises the kernel state for backends that have
184one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense 276one. Despite the name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense
185after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that 277after forking, in either the parent or child process (or both, but that
186again makes little sense). 278again makes little sense).
187 279
188You I<must> call this function after forking if and only if you want to 280You I<must> call this function in the child process after forking if and
189use the event library in both processes. If you just fork+exec, you don't 281only if you want to use the event library in both processes. If you just
190have to call it. 282fork+exec, you don't have to call it.
191 283
192The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 284The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
193it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 285it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in
194quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>: 286quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
195 287
196 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 288 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork);
197 289
290At the moment, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL> are safe to use
291without calling this function, so if you force one of those backends you
292do not need to care.
293
198=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 294=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
199 295
200Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 296Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
201C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 297C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
202after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 298after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
203 299
204=item unsigned int ev_method (loop) 300=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
205 301
206Returns one of the C<EVMETHOD_*> flags indicating the event backend in 302Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
207use. 303use.
208 304
209=item ev_tstamp ev_now (loop) 305=item ev_tstamp ev_now (loop)
210 306
211Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop 307Returns the current "event loop time", which is the time the event loop
218 314
219Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 315Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
220after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 316after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling
221events. 317events.
222 318
223If the flags argument is specified as 0, it will not return until either 319If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until
224no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 320either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called.
225 321
226A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 322A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle
227those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in 323those events and any outstanding ones, but will not block your process in
228case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop. 324case there are no events and will return after one iteration of the loop.
229 325
230A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 326A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if
231neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block 327neccessary) and will handle those and any outstanding ones. It will block
232your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after 328your process until at least one new event arrives, and will return after
233one iteration of the loop. 329one iteration of the loop. This is useful if you are waiting for some
330external event in conjunction with something not expressible using other
331libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
332usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
234 333
235This flags value could be used to implement alternative looping 334Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
236constructs, but the C<prepare> and C<check> watchers provide a better and 335
237more generic mechanism. 336 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.
337 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.
338 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
339 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
340 - Update the "event loop time".
341 - Calculate for how long to block.
342 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
343 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
344 - Update the "event loop time" and do time jump handling.
345 - Queue all outstanding timers.
346 - Queue all outstanding periodics.
347 - If no events are pending now, queue all idle watchers.
348 - Queue all check watchers.
349 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
350 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
351 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
352 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
353 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
238 354
239=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 355=item ev_unloop (loop, how)
240 356
241Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 357Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it
242has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 358has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
243C<EVUNLOOP_ONCE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 359C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or
244C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 360C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return.
245 361
246=item ev_ref (loop) 362=item ev_ref (loop)
247 363
248=item ev_unref (loop) 364=item ev_unref (loop)
299*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 415*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
300corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 416corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
301 417
302As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 418As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
303must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 419must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
304reinitialise it or call its set method. 420reinitialise it or call its set macro.
305 421
306You can check whether an event is active by calling the C<ev_is_active 422You can check whether an event is active by calling the C<ev_is_active
307(watcher *)> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the 423(watcher *)> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the
308callback for it has not been called yet) you can use the C<ev_is_pending 424callback for it has not been called yet) you can use the C<ev_is_pending
309(watcher *)> macro. 425(watcher *)> macro.
414in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 530in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called
415level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 531level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the
416condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 532condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to
417act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 533act on the event and neither want to receive future events).
418 534
419In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers oer 535In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
420fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 536fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
421descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 537descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
422required if you know what you are doing). 538required if you know what you are doing).
423 539
424You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 540You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
425(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 541(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
426descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 542descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
427to the same file/socket etc. description. 543to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share
544the same underlying "file open").
428 545
429If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 546If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
430(at the time of this writing, this includes only EVMETHOD_SELECT and 547(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
431EVMETHOD_POLL). 548C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
432 549
433=over 4 550=over 4
434 551
435=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 552=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
436 553
438 555
439Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 556Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive
440events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_READ | 557events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_READ |
441EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 558EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
442 559
560Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example
561epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications
562for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and
563treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe
564interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either
565C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>, which don't suffer from this
566problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked
567when the readyness condition is no longer valid even when employing
568typical ways of handling events, so its a good idea to use non-blocking
569I/O unconditionally.
570
443=back 571=back
444 572
445=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts 573=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts
446 574
447Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 575Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
448given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 576given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
449 577
450The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 578The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
451times out after an hour and youreset your system clock to last years 579times out after an hour and you reset your system clock to last years
452time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because 580time, it will still time out after (roughly) and hour. "Roughly" because
453detecting time jumps is hard, and soem inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 581detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
454monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 582monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
455 583
456The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 584The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
457time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 585time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
458of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 586of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
459you suspect event processing to be delayed and you *need* to base the timeout 587you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the timeout
460ion the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 588on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this:
461 589
462 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 590 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
591
592The callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when its timeout has passed,
593but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration then
594order of execution is undefined.
463 595
464=over 4 596=over 4
465 597
466=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 598=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
467 599
473later, again, and again, until stopped manually. 605later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
474 606
475The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you 607The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if you
476configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at 608configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will trigger at
477exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with 609exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot keep up with
478the timer (ecause it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the 610the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to do stuff) the
479timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 611timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
480 612
481=item ev_timer_again (loop) 613=item ev_timer_again (loop)
482 614
483This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 615This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
514again). 646again).
515 647
516They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 648They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as
517triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 649triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time.
518 650
651As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
652time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
653during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
654
519=over 4 655=over 4
520 656
521=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 657=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
522 658
523=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 659=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb)
524 660
525Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 661Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
526operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 662operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
527
528 663
529=over 4 664=over 4
530 665
531=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 666=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
532 667
560In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 695In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
561ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 696ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
562reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 697reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
563current time as second argument. 698current time as second argument.
564 699
565NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy the periodic or any other 700NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
566periodic watcher, ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need 701ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,
567to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards. 702return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
568 703starting a prepare watcher).
569Also, I<< this callback must always return a time that is later than the
570passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will be ok.
571 704
572Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 705Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
573ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 706ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
574 707
575 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 708 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
580It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 713It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
581(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It 714(that is, the lowest time value larger than to the second argument). It
582will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but 715will usually be called just before the callback will be triggered, but
583might be called at other times, too. 716might be called at other times, too.
584 717
718NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is later than the
719passed C<now> value >>. Not even C<now> itself will do, it I<must> be larger.
720
585This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 721This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
586triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the 722triggers on each midnight, local time. To do this, you would calculate the
587next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How you do this 723next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How
588is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial). 724you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main
725reason I omitted it as an example).
589 726
590=back 727=back
591 728
592=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 729=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
593 730
672=back 809=back
673 810
674=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 811=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop
675 812
676Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 813Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
677Prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 814prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
678afterwards. 815afterwards.
679 816
680Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This 817Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev. This
681could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own 818could be used, for example, to track variable changes, implement your own
682watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more. 819watchers, integrate net-snmp or a coroutine library and lots more.
685to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 822to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
686them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 823them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
687provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 824provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
688any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers 825any events that occured (by checking the pending status of all watchers
689and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer 826and stopping them) and call back into the library. The I/O and timer
690callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid neverthelles, 827callbacks will never actually be called (but must be valid nevertheless,
691because you never know, you know?). 828because you never know, you know?).
692 829
693As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate 830As another example, the Perl Coro module uses these hooks to integrate
694coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines 831coroutines into libev programs, by yielding to other active coroutines
695during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines 832during each prepare and only letting the process block if no coroutines
696are ready to run (its actually more complicated, it only runs coroutines 833are ready to run (it's actually more complicated: it only runs coroutines
697with priority higher than the event loop and one lower priority once, 834with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
698using idle watchers to keep the event loop from blocking if lower-priority 835of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
699coroutines exist, thus mapping low-priority coroutines to idle/background 836loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
700tasks). 837low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
701 838
702=over 4 839=over 4
703 840
704=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 841=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
705 842
720=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 857=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback)
721 858
722This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 859This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
723callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both 860callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stop both
724watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 861watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
725or timeout without havign to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 862or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
726more watchers yourself. 863more watchers yourself.
727 864
728If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events 865If C<fd> is less than 0, then no I/O watcher will be started and events
729is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and 866is being ignored. Otherwise, an C<ev_io> watcher for the given C<fd> and
730C<events> set will be craeted and started. 867C<events> set will be craeted and started.
733started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 870started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
734repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of 871repeat = 0) will be started. While C<0> is a valid timeout, it is of
735dubious value. 872dubious value.
736 873
737The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 874The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets
738passed an events set like normal event callbacks (with a combination of 875passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
739C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 876C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg>
740value passed to C<ev_once>: 877value passed to C<ev_once>:
741 878
742 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 879 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
743 { 880 {
764 901
765Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 902Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!).
766 903
767=back 904=back
768 905
906=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
907
908Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
909emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
910
911=over 4
912
913=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
914
915=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
916ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
917
918=item * Avoid using ev_flags and the EVLIST_*-macros, while it is
919maintained by libev, it does not work exactly the same way as in libevent (consider
920it a private API).
921
922=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
923will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
924is an ev_pri field.
925
926=item * Other members are not supported.
927
928=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
929to use the libev header file and library.
930
931=back
932
933=head1 C++ SUPPORT
934
935TBD.
936
769=head1 AUTHOR 937=head1 AUTHOR
770 938
771Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 939Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
772 940

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