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58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59 59
60 // now wait for events to arrive 60 // now wait for events to arrive
61 ev_run (loop, 0); 61 ev_run (loop, 0);
62 62
63 // unloop was called, so exit 63 // break was called, so exit
64 return 0; 64 return 0;
65 } 65 }
66 66
67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68 68
82 82
83=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY 83=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
84 84
85This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes 85This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
86it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest 86it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
87reading L<ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L<EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and 87reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
88look up the missing functions in L<GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and 88look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
89C<ev_timer> sections in L<WATCHER TYPES>. 89C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
90 90
91=head1 ABOUT LIBEV 91=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
92 92
93Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 93Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
94file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 94file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
174=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 174=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
175 175
176Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 176Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
177C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 177C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
178you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of 178you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
179C<ev_update_now> and C<ev_now>. 179C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
180 180
181=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 181=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
182 182
183Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 183Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
184either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 184until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
185passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
186interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
187
185this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>. 188Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
189
190The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
191with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
186 192
187=item int ev_version_major () 193=item int ev_version_major ()
188 194
189=item int ev_version_minor () 195=item int ev_version_minor ()
190 196
241the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends () 247the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
242& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones. 248& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
243 249
244See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 250See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
245 251
246=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT] 252=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
247 253
248Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 254Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
249semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is 255semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
250used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero 256used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
251when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort 257when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
277 } 283 }
278 284
279 ... 285 ...
280 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 286 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
281 287
282=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT] 288=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
283 289
284Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such 290Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
285as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 291as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
286indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 292indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
287callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no 293callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
299 } 305 }
300 306
301 ... 307 ...
302 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 308 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
303 309
310=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
311
312This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
313safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
314handlers or random threads.
315
316Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
317in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
318by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
319creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
320mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
321C<ev_feed_signal>.
322
304=back 323=back
305 324
306=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS 325=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
307 326
308An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is 327An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
355=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags) 374=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
356 375
357This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop 376This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
358could not be initialised, returns false. 377could not be initialised, returns false.
359 378
360Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and one common way to use 379This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
361libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the 380threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
362default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread. 381loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
363 382
364The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 383The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
365backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 384backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
366 385
367The following flags are supported: 386The following flags are supported:
402environment variable. 421environment variable.
403 422
404=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY> 423=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
405 424
406When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 425When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
407I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and 426I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
408testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as 427testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
409otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle. 428otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
410 429
411=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD> 430=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
412 431
413When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the 432When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
414I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API 433I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
415delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make 434delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
416it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal 435it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
417handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your 436handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
418threads that are not interested in handling them. 437threads that are not interested in handling them.
419 438
420Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and 439Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
421there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for 440there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
422example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks. 441example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
442
443=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
444
445When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
446mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
447when you want to receive them.
448
449This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
450want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
451unblocking the signals.
452
453It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
454C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
455
456This flag's behaviour will become the default in future versions of libev.
423 457
424=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 458=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
425 459
426This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 460This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
427libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 461libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
455=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 489=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
456 490
457Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9 491Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
458kernels). 492kernels).
459 493
460For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 494For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
461but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 495it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
462like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 496O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
463epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). 497fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
464 498
465The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned 499The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
466of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently 500of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
467dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file 501dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
468descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and 502descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
503returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
504(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
469so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then 5050.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
470I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can 506forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
471take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course 507set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
472hard to detect. 508and is of course hard to detect.
473 509
474Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but 510Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
475of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally 511but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
476I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot 512totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
477even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially 513one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
478on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by 514(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
479employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the 515notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
480events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last 516that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
517when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
518no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
519because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
481not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work 520not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
482perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...). 521perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
522
523Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
524cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
525others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
483 526
484While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 527While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
485will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such 528will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
486incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different 529incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
487I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed 530I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
524 567
525It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 568It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
526kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 569kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
527course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 570course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
528cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 571cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
529two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but 572two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
530sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect 573might have to leak fd's on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
531cases 574drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases
532 575
533This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 576This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
534 577
535While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 578While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
536everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 579everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
553=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 596=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
554 597
555This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 598This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
556it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 599it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
557 600
558Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
559notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
560blocking when no data (or space) is available.
561
562While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 601While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
563file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 602file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
564descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 603descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
565might perform better. 604might perform better.
566 605
567On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 606On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
568notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
569in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 607specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
570OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks). 608among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
609hacks).
610
611On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
612even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
613function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
614occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
615even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
616absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
617to re-arm the watcher.
618
619Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
571 620
572This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 621This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
573C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 622C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
574 623
575=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 624=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
576 625
577Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 626Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
578with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 627with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
579C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 628C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
580 629
581It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 630It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
631C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
632at all.
633
634=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
635
636Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
637C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
638value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
582 639
583=back 640=back
584 641
585If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value, 642If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
586then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed 643then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
615This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by 672This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
616C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by 673C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
617C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe. 674C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
618 675
619Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop 676Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
620except in the rare occasion where you really need to free it's resources. 677except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
621If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new> 678If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
622and C<ev_loop_destroy>. 679and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
623 680
624=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 681=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
625 682
673prepare and check phases. 730prepare and check phases.
674 731
675=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop) 732=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
676 733
677Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of 734Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
678times C<ev_run> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth. 735times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
679 736
680Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is 737Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
681C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread), 738C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
682in which case it is higher. 739in which case it is higher.
683 740
684Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread 741Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
685etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such 742throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
686ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really convenient. 743as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
744convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
687 745
688=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 746=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
689 747
690Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 748Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
691use. 749use.
706 764
707This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a 765This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
708very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of 766very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
709the current time is a good idea. 767the current time is a good idea.
710 768
711See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section. 769See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
712 770
713=item ev_suspend (loop) 771=item ev_suspend (loop)
714 772
715=item ev_resume (loop) 773=item ev_resume (loop)
716 774
734without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>. 792without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
735 793
736Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the 794Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
737event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>). 795event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
738 796
739=item ev_run (loop, int flags) 797=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
740 798
741Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 799Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
742after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start 800after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
743handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call 801handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
744the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This 802the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
745is why event loops are called I<loops>. 803is why event loops are called I<loops>.
746 804
747If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events 805If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
748until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was 806until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
749called. 807called.
808
809The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
810usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
811(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
750 812
751Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than 813Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
752relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 814relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
753finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 815finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
754that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 816that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
755of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 817of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
756beauty. 818beauty.
757 819
820This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
821C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
822exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
823will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
824
758A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle 825A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
759those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and 826those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
760block your process in case there are no events and will return after one 827block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
761iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new 828iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
762events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive. 829events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
771This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 838This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
772with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 839with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
773own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 840own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
774usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 841usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
775 842
776Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does: 843Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
844understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
845future versions):
777 846
778 - Increment loop depth. 847 - Increment loop depth.
779 - Reset the ev_break status. 848 - Reset the ev_break status.
780 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 849 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
781 LOOP: 850 LOOP:
814anymore. 883anymore.
815 884
816 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 885 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
817 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 886 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
818 ev_run (my_loop, 0); 887 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
819 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 888 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
820 889
821=item ev_break (loop, how) 890=item ev_break (loop, how)
822 891
823Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it 892Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
824has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 893has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
825C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or 894C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
826C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return. 895C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
827 896
828This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_run> again. 897This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
829 898
830It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls. ##TODO## 899It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
900which case it will have no effect.
831 901
832=item ev_ref (loop) 902=item ev_ref (loop)
833 903
834=item ev_unref (loop) 904=item ev_unref (loop)
835 905
856running when nothing else is active. 926running when nothing else is active.
857 927
858 ev_signal exitsig; 928 ev_signal exitsig;
859 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 929 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
860 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 930 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
861 evf_unref (loop); 931 ev_unref (loop);
862 932
863Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 933Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
864 934
865 ev_ref (loop); 935 ev_ref (loop);
866 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 936 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
886overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 956overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
887 957
888By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 958By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
889time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 959time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
890at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 960at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
891C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 961C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
892introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The 962introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
893sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then 963sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
894once per this interval, on average. 964once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
965good enough).
895 966
896Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 967Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
897to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 968to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
898latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called 969latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
899later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null 970later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
945invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.). 1016invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
946 1017
947If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new 1018If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
948callback. 1019callback.
949 1020
950=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P)) 1021=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
951 1022
952Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This 1023Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
953can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around 1024can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
954each call to a libev function. 1025each call to a libev function.
955 1026
956However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible 1027However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
957to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event 1028to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
958loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these 1029loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
959I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop. 1030I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
960 1031
961When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is 1032When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
962suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just 1033suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
963afterwards. 1034afterwards.
978See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this 1049See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
979document. 1050document.
980 1051
981=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data) 1052=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
982 1053
983=item ev_userdata (loop) 1054=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
984 1055
985Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When 1056Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
986C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns 1057C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
987C<0.> 1058C<0>.
988 1059
989These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop, 1060These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
990and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and 1061and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
991C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for 1062C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
992any other purpose as well. 1063any other purpose as well.
1103 1174
1104=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1175=item C<EV_PREPARE>
1105 1176
1106=item C<EV_CHECK> 1177=item C<EV_CHECK>
1107 1178
1108All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts 1179All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
1109to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1180gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
1110C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1181just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
1182for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
1183watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
1184C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
1185or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
1186
1111received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1187Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
1112many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1188they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
1113(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1189C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
1114C<ev_run> from blocking). 1190blocking).
1115 1191
1116=item C<EV_EMBED> 1192=item C<EV_EMBED>
1117 1193
1118The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1194The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1119 1195
1242 1318
1243=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1319=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1244 1320
1245Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1321Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
1246 1322
1247=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1323=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1248 1324
1249Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1325Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1250(modulo threads). 1326(modulo threads).
1251 1327
1252=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority) 1328=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1270or might not have been clamped to the valid range. 1346or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1271 1347
1272The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1348The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1273always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1349always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1274 1350
1275See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of 1351See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1276priorities. 1352priorities.
1277 1353
1278=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1354=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1279 1355
1280Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1356Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1305See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related 1381See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1306functions that do not need a watcher. 1382functions that do not need a watcher.
1307 1383
1308=back 1384=back
1309 1385
1310=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1386See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
1311 1387OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1312Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
1313and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
1314to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
1315don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
1316member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1317data:
1318
1319 struct my_io
1320 {
1321 ev_io io;
1322 int otherfd;
1323 void *somedata;
1324 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1325 };
1326
1327 ...
1328 struct my_io w;
1329 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1330
1331And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1332can cast it back to your own type:
1333
1334 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
1335 {
1336 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
1337 ...
1338 }
1339
1340More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
1341instead have been omitted.
1342
1343Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
1344embedded watchers:
1345
1346 struct my_biggy
1347 {
1348 int some_data;
1349 ev_timer t1;
1350 ev_timer t2;
1351 }
1352
1353In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1354complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1355in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1356some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1357programmers):
1358
1359 #include <stddef.h>
1360
1361 static void
1362 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1363 {
1364 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1365 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1366 }
1367
1368 static void
1369 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1370 {
1371 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1372 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1373 }
1374 1388
1375=head2 WATCHER STATES 1389=head2 WATCHER STATES
1376 1390
1377There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual - 1391There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1378active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to 1392active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1381 1395
1382=over 4 1396=over 4
1383 1397
1384=item initialiased 1398=item initialiased
1385 1399
1386Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be 1400Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
1387initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to 1401initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1388C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function. 1402C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1389 1403
1390In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use 1404In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
1391in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will. 1405use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
1406will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
1407C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
1392 1408
1393=item started/running/active 1409=item started/running/active
1394 1410
1395Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes 1411Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1396property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in 1412property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1424latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless 1440latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1425of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before 1441of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1426freeing it is often a good idea. 1442freeing it is often a good idea.
1427 1443
1428While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the 1444While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1429initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way 1445initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1430you wish. 1446you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
1447it again).
1431 1448
1432=back 1449=back
1433 1450
1434=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS 1451=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1435 1452
1564In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1581In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1565fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1582fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1566descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1583descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1567required if you know what you are doing). 1584required if you know what you are doing).
1568 1585
1569If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1570known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1571C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1572descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1573files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
1574
1575Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1586Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1576receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1587receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1577be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1588be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1578because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1589because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1579lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1590with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1580this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1591use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1581it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1582C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1592preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1583 1593
1584If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should 1594If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1585not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately 1595not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1586re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good 1596re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1587interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already 1597interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1588does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally 1598this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1589use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block 1599use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1590indefinitely. 1600indefinitely.
1591 1601
1592But really, best use non-blocking mode. 1602But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1593 1603
1621 1631
1622There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1632There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1623for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1633for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1624C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1634C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1625 1635
1636=head3 The special problem of files
1637
1638Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1639representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1640doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1641
1642However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1643notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1644there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1645always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1646write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1647
1648Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1649devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1650on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1651will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1652wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1653
1654Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1655mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1656to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1657convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1658usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1659(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1660F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1661asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1662it "just works" instead of freezing.
1663
1664So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1665libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1666when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1667reuse the same code path.
1668
1626=head3 The special problem of fork 1669=head3 The special problem of fork
1627 1670
1628Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1671Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1629useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1672useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1630it in the child. 1673it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the child.
1631 1674
1632To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1675To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1633C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1676()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1634enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1677C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1635C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1636 1678
1637=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1679=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1638 1680
1639While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>: 1681While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1640when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets 1682when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1738detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1780detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1739monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1781monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1740 1782
1741The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1783The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1742passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this 1784passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1743might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the 1785might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
1786early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1744same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked 1787iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1745before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is 1788ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1746no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively). 1789longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1747 1790
1748=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1791=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1749 1792
1750Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1793Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1751recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1794recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1826 1869
1827In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone, 1870In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1828but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only 1871but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1829within the callback: 1872within the callback:
1830 1873
1874 ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1831 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity 1875 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1876 ev_timer timer;
1832 1877
1833 static void 1878 static void
1834 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1879 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1835 { 1880 {
1836 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A); 1881 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1837 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.; 1882 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1838 1883
1839 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out 1884 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1840 if (timeout < now) 1885 if (after < 0.)
1841 { 1886 {
1842 // timeout occurred, take action 1887 // timeout occurred, take action
1843 } 1888 }
1844 else 1889 else
1845 { 1890 {
1846 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1891 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1847 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1892 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1848 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1893 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1849 w->repeat = timeout - now; 1894 // the timeout can occur.
1895 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1850 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1896 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1851 } 1897 }
1852 } 1898 }
1853 1899
1854To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1900To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1855as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has 1901timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1856been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise 1902C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1857the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so 1903(EV_A)> from that).
1858re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1859a timeout then.
1860 1904
1861Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the 1905If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1862C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running. 1906timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
1907
1908Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
1909and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
1910
1911In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
1912the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
1913again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1863 1914
1864This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds 1915This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1865minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to 1916minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1866libev to change the timeout. 1917libev to change the timeout.
1867 1918
1868To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity> 1919To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1869to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 1920C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1870callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 1921now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
1922the timer:
1871 1923
1924 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1872 ev_init (timer, callback); 1925 ev_init (&timer, callback);
1873 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1926 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1874 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1875 1927
1876And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 1928When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1877C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 1929C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1878 1930
1931 if (activity detected)
1879 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1932 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1933
1934When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
1935providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
1936will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
1937
1938 timeout = new_value;
1939 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
1940 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1880 1941
1881This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the 1942This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1882time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient. 1943time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1883
1884Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1885callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1886fix things for you.
1887 1944
1888=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts. 1945=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1889 1946
1890If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all 1947If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1891employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can 1948employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1918Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is 1975Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1919rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays 1976rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1920off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually 1977off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1921overkill :) 1978overkill :)
1922 1979
1980=head3 The special problem of being too early
1981
1982If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
1983you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
1984cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
1985guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
1986process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
1987
1988So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
1989delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
1990
1991A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
1992loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
1993this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
1994expect.
1995
1996To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
1997resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
1998yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
1999event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
2000(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
2001
2002If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
2003501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
2004one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
2005intentions.
2006
2007This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
2008delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
2009larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
2010the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
2011
2012So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
2013exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
2014delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
2015late" side of things.
2016
1923=head3 The special problem of time updates 2017=head3 The special problem of time updates
1924 2018
1925Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 2019Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
1926least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 2020at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1927time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a 2021time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1928growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 2022growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1929lots of events in one iteration. 2023lots of events in one iteration.
1930 2024
1931The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2025The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1937 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 2031 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1938 2032
1939If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 2033If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1940update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 2034update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1941()>. 2035()>.
2036
2037=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2038
2039Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2040"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2041jumps).
2042
2043Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
2044on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
2045than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
2046a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
2047than a directly following call to C<time>.
2048
2049The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
2050C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
2051a second or so.
2052
2053One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
2054the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
2055or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
2056invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
2057
2058This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
2059libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
2060I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
2061
2062If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
2063connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
2064exactly the right behaviour.
2065
2066If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
2067you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
2068time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
1942 2069
1943=head3 The special problems of suspended animation 2070=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1944 2071
1945When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that 2072When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1946can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend? 2073can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1990keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2117keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1991do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2118do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1992 2119
1993=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2120=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1994 2121
1995This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 2122This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
1996repeating. The exact semantics are: 2123repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2124timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
1997 2125
2126The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2127applied to the watcher:
2128
2129=over 4
2130
1998If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2131=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
1999 2132
2000If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2133=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
2134out, without invoking it).
2001 2135
2002If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 2136=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
2003C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2137and start the timer, if necessary.
2004 2138
2139=back
2140
2005This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a 2141This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
2006usage example. 2142usage example.
2007 2143
2008=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *) 2144=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
2009 2145
2010Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active, 2146Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
2130 2266
2131Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2267Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
2132C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2268C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
2133time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2269time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
2134 2270
2135For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near 2271The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
2136C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2272interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
2137this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2273microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2274at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2275ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2276C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
2138 2277
2139Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2278Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
2140speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2279speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
2141will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2280will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
2142millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2281millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
2256 2395
2257=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2396=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2258 2397
2259Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2398Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2260signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2399signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
2261will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2400will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
2262normal event processing, like any other event. 2401normal event processing, like any other event.
2263 2402
2264If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use 2403If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2265C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing 2404C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2266the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to 2405the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2285=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create 2424=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2286 2425
2287Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition 2426Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2288(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after 2427(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2289stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal, 2428stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2290and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler. 2429and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2430see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2291 2431
2292While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never 2432While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2293sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on 2433sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2294C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect 2434C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2295certain signals to be blocked. 2435certain signals to be blocked.
2308I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily. 2448I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2309 2449
2310So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when 2450So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2311you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This 2451you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2312is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries. 2452is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2453
2454=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2455
2456POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2457a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2458threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2459
2460When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2461for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2462all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2463sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2464loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2465these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2466in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
2313 2467
2314=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2468=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2315 2469
2316=over 4 2470=over 4
2317 2471
2693Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2847Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
2694effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2848effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
2695"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2849"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
2696event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2850event loop has handled all outstanding events.
2697 2851
2852=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
2853
2854As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
2855sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
2856For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
2857lowest priority will do.
2858
2859This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
2860to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
2861between different connections.
2862
2863See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
2864example.
2865
2698=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2866=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2699 2867
2700=over 4 2868=over 4
2701 2869
2702=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback) 2870=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
2713callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2881callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
2714 2882
2715 static void 2883 static void
2716 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents) 2884 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
2717 { 2885 {
2886 // stop the watcher
2887 ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
2888
2889 // now we can free it
2718 free (w); 2890 free (w);
2891
2719 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2892 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
2720 // no longer anything immediate to do. 2893 // no longer anything immediate to do.
2721 } 2894 }
2722 2895
2723 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle)); 2896 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
2725 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher); 2898 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2726 2899
2727 2900
2728=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2901=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2729 2902
2730Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 2903Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2731prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2904prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2732afterwards. 2905afterwards.
2733 2906
2734You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter 2907You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
2735the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2908the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
2763with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 2936with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
2764of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 2937of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
2765loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2938loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
2766low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2939low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
2767 2940
2768It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 2941When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
2769priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 2942highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
2770after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers). 2943any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
2944watchers).
2771 2945
2772Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not 2946Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2773activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they 2947activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2774might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As 2948might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2775C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event 2949C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2776loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their 2950loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2777C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with 2951C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2778others). 2952others).
2953
2954=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
2955
2956C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
2957useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
2958example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
2959normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
2960is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
2961connections have a chance of making progress.
2962
2963Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
2964next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
2965without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
2966
2967
2968This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
2969single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
2970C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
2971will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
2972invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
2779 2973
2780=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2974=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2781 2975
2782=over 4 2976=over 4
2783 2977
3152 atexit (program_exits); 3346 atexit (program_exits);
3153 3347
3154 3348
3155=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop 3349=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
3156 3350
3157In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other 3351In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
3158asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3352asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
3159loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3353loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
3160 3354
3161Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control, 3355Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
3162for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async> 3356for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
3164it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe. 3358it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
3165 3359
3166This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3360This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
3167too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3361too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
3168(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3362(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
3169C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3363C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
3170 3364of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
3171Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3365signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
3172just the default loop. 3366even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
3173 3367
3174=head3 Queueing 3368=head3 Queueing
3175 3369
3176C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3370C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
3177is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3371is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
3269trust me. 3463trust me.
3270 3464
3271=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3465=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3272 3466
3273Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3467Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3274an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3468an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3469returns.
3470
3275C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3471Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
3276similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3472signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
3277section below on what exactly this means). 3473embedding section below on what exactly this means).
3278 3474
3279Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get 3475Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3280compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this 3476compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
3281is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>, 3477this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3282reset when the event loop detects that). 3478C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3283 3479
3284This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop 3480This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3285iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to 3481loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3286repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop. 3482the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
3483repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
3484performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
3485zero) under load.
3287 3486
3288=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3487=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3289 3488
3290Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3489Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3291watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3490watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
3346 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3545 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3347 3546
3348=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents) 3547=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3349 3548
3350Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3549Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3351the given events it. 3550the given events.
3352 3551
3353=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum) 3552=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3354 3553
3355Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3554Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3356loop!). 3555which is async-safe.
3357 3556
3358=back 3557=back
3558
3559
3560=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3561
3562This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3563obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3564section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3565
3566=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3567
3568Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3569or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3570to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3571don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3572data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3573data:
3574
3575 struct my_io
3576 {
3577 ev_io io;
3578 int otherfd;
3579 void *somedata;
3580 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3581 };
3582
3583 ...
3584 struct my_io w;
3585 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3586
3587And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3588can cast it back to your own type:
3589
3590 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3591 {
3592 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3593 ...
3594 }
3595
3596More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3597function type instead have been omitted.
3598
3599=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3600
3601Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3602embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3603multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3604
3605 struct my_biggy
3606 {
3607 int some_data;
3608 ev_timer t1;
3609 ev_timer t2;
3610 }
3611
3612In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3613complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3614the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3615to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3616real programmers):
3617
3618 #include <stddef.h>
3619
3620 static void
3621 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3622 {
3623 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3624 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3625 }
3626
3627 static void
3628 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3629 {
3630 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3631 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3632 }
3633
3634=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
3635
3636Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
3637
3638 callback ()
3639 {
3640 free (request);
3641 }
3642
3643 request = start_new_request (..., callback);
3644
3645The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
3646used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
3647
3648It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
3649immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
3650some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
3651operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
3652
3653The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
3654has returned, so C<request> is not set.
3655
3656Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
3657might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
3658canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
3659already been invoked.
3660
3661A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
3662C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
3663C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
3664delay invoking the callback by e.g. using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher
3665for example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher
3666and pushing it into the pending queue:
3667
3668 ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
3669 ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
3670
3671This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
3672invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
3673
3674=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3675
3676Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3677I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3678invoking C<ev_run>.
3679
3680This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3681main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3682a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3683and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3684other combination: In these cases, C<ev_break> will not work alone.
3685
3686The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3687invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3688triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3689
3690 // main loop
3691 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3692
3693 while (!exit_main_loop)
3694 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3695
3696 // in a modal watcher
3697 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3698
3699 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3700 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3701
3702To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3703
3704 // exit modal loop
3705 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3706
3707 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3708 exit_main_loop = 1;
3709
3710 // exit both
3711 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3712
3713=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3714
3715Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3716thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3717created/added/removed.
3718
3719For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3720which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3721languages).
3722
3723The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3724variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3725event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3726
3727First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3728
3729 typedef struct {
3730 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3731 ev_async async_w;
3732 thread_t tid;
3733 cond_t invoke_cv;
3734 } userdata;
3735
3736 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3737 {
3738 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3739 static userdata u;
3740
3741 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
3742 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3743
3744 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
3745 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
3746
3747 // now associate this with the loop
3748 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3749 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3750 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3751
3752 // then create the thread running ev_run
3753 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3754 }
3755
3756The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3757solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3758that might have been added:
3759
3760 static void
3761 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3762 {
3763 // just used for the side effects
3764 }
3765
3766The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3767protecting the loop data, respectively.
3768
3769 static void
3770 l_release (EV_P)
3771 {
3772 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3773 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3774 }
3775
3776 static void
3777 l_acquire (EV_P)
3778 {
3779 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3780 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3781 }
3782
3783The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3784into C<ev_run>:
3785
3786 void *
3787 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3788 {
3789 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3790
3791 l_acquire (EV_A);
3792 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3793 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3794 l_release (EV_A);
3795
3796 return 0;
3797 }
3798
3799Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3800signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3801writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3802have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3803and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3804watchers is very beneficial):
3805
3806 static void
3807 l_invoke (EV_P)
3808 {
3809 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3810
3811 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3812 {
3813 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3814 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3815 }
3816 }
3817
3818Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3819will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3820thread to continue:
3821
3822 static void
3823 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3824 {
3825 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3826
3827 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3828 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3829 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3830 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3831 }
3832
3833Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3834event loop, you will now have to lock:
3835
3836 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3837 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3838
3839 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3840
3841 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3842 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3843 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3844 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3845
3846Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3847an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3848about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3849watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3850
3851=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
3852
3853While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
3854is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
3855kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
3856doesn't need callbacks anymore.
3857
3858Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
3859C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
3860and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
3861global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
3862event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
3863the differing C<;> conventions):
3864
3865 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3866 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
3867
3868That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
3869coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
3870your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
3871
3872A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
3873C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
3874matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
3875called):
3876
3877 void
3878 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
3879 {
3880 ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
3881 switch_to (libev_coro);
3882 }
3883
3884That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
3885continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
3886this or any other coroutine.
3887
3888You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
3889instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
3890switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
3891any waiters.
3892
3893To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
3894files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
3895
3896 // my_ev.h
3897 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3898 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb);
3899 #include "../libev/ev.h"
3900
3901 // my_ev.c
3902 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
3903 #include "../libev/ev.c"
3904
3905And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
3906F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
3907can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
3359 3908
3360 3909
3361=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 3910=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
3362 3911
3363Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 3912Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
3364emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 3913emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
3365 3914
3366=over 4 3915=over 4
3916
3917=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
3918
3919This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
3920and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
3367 3921
3368=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 3922=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
3369 3923
3370=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 3924=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
3371ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 3925ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
3377=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 3931=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
3378will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 3932will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
3379is an ev_pri field. 3933is an ev_pri field.
3380 3934
3381=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 3935=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3382first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 3936base that registered the signal gets the signals.
3383 3937
3384=item * Other members are not supported. 3938=item * Other members are not supported.
3385 3939
3386=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 3940=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
3387to use the libev header file and library. 3941to use the libev header file and library.
3388 3942
3389=back 3943=back
3390 3944
3391=head1 C++ SUPPORT 3945=head1 C++ SUPPORT
3946
3947=head2 C API
3948
3949The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
3950libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
3951will work fine.
3952
3953Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
3954to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all
3955other callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodioc
3956reschedule callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<throw
3957()> specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C
3958and C++ you can use the C<EV_THROW> macro for this:
3959
3960 static void
3961 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_THROW
3962 {
3963 perror (msg);
3964 abort ();
3965 }
3966
3967 ...
3968 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
3969
3970The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
3971C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
3972because it runs cleanup watchers).
3973
3974Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
3975is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
3976throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
3977
3978=head2 C++ API
3392 3979
3393Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3980Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3394you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3981you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3395the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3982the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3396 3983
3406Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 3993Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
3407classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 3994classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3408that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 3995that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3409you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 3996you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3410 3997
3411Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 3998Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
3412used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 3999with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3413need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 4000to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3414types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 4001you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3415it). 4002(preferably after implementing it).
4003
4004For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
4005conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
4006to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
3416 4007
3417Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 4008Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3418 4009
3419=over 4 4010=over 4
3420 4011
3430=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 4021=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3431 4022
3432For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 4023For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
3433the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 4024the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
3434which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 4025which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3435defines by many implementations. 4026defined by many implementations.
3436 4027
3437All of those classes have these methods: 4028All of those classes have these methods:
3438 4029
3439=over 4 4030=over 4
3440 4031
3573watchers in the constructor. 4164watchers in the constructor.
3574 4165
3575 class myclass 4166 class myclass
3576 { 4167 {
3577 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4168 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3578 ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4169 ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3579 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 4170 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
3580 4171
3581 myclass (int fd) 4172 myclass (int fd)
3582 { 4173 {
3583 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 4174 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3634L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>. 4225L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3635 4226
3636=item D 4227=item D
3637 4228
3638Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 4229Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3639be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 4230be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
3640 4231
3641=item Ocaml 4232=item Ocaml
3642 4233
3643Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at 4234Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3644L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>. 4235L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3647 4238
3648Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the 4239Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3649time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at 4240time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3650L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>. 4241L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
3651 4242
4243=item Javascript
4244
4245Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
4246
4247=item Others
4248
4249There are others, and I stopped counting.
4250
3652=back 4251=back
3653 4252
3654 4253
3655=head1 MACRO MAGIC 4254=head1 MACRO MAGIC
3656 4255
3692suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 4291suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3693 4292
3694=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 4293=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3695 4294
3696Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 4295Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3697loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 4296loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
4297will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
4298
4299For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
4300to initialise the loop somewhere.
3698 4301
3699=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_> 4302=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3700 4303
3701Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the 4304Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3702default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour 4305default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3847supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4450supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3848F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4451F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3849 4452
3850In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the 4453In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3851configuration, but has to be more conservative. 4454configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4455
4456=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4457
4458If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4459periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4460portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4461link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4462function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4463this.
3852 4464
3853=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4465=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3854 4466
3855If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4467If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3856monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no 4468monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3941 4553
3942If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this 4554If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
3943macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister 4555macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
3944file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close 4556file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
3945the underlying OS handle. 4557the underlying OS handle.
4558
4559=item EV_USE_WSASOCKET
4560
4561If defined to be C<1>, libev will use C<WSASocket> to create its internal
4562communication socket, which works better in some environments. Otherwise,
4563the normal C<socket> function will be used, which works better in other
4564enviornments.
3946 4565
3947=item EV_USE_POLL 4566=item EV_USE_POLL
3948 4567
3949If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 4568If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3950backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 4569backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
3986If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4605If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
3987interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4606interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
3988be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4607be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3989indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4608indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3990 4609
4610=item EV_NO_SMP
4611
4612If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4613between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4614different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4615and makes libev faster.
4616
4617=item EV_NO_THREADS
4618
4619If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called
4620from different threads, which is a stronger assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>,
4621above. This reduces dependencies and makes libev faster.
4622
3991=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4623=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3992 4624
3993Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4625Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3994access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 4626access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal
3995type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 4627contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can
3996that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 4628provide your own type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used
3997as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4629both for signal handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety
4630in C<ev_async> watchers.
3998 4631
3999In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4632In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
4000(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4633(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms,
4634although strictly speaking using a type that also implies a memory fence
4635is required.
4001 4636
4002=item EV_H (h) 4637=item EV_H (h)
4003 4638
4004The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 4639The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
4005undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 4640undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
4029will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 4664will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
4030additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 4665additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
4031for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 4666for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
4032argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 4667argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
4033 4668
4669Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
4670default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
4671initialise the loop manually in this case.
4672
4034=item EV_MINPRI 4673=item EV_MINPRI
4035 4674
4036=item EV_MAXPRI 4675=item EV_MAXPRI
4037 4676
4038The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to 4677The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
4074 #define EV_USE_POLL 1 4713 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4075 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1 4714 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4076 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1 4715 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4077 4716
4078The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following 4717The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4079values: 4718values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4080 4719
4081=over 4 4720=over 4
4082 4721
4083=item C<1> - faster/larger code 4722=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4084 4723
4088code size by roughly 30% on amd64). 4727code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4089 4728
4090When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with 4729When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4091gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of 4730gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4092assertions. 4731assertions.
4732
4733The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4734(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4093 4735
4094=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures 4736=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4095 4737
4096Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger 4738Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4097hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size 4739hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4098and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at 4740and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4099runtime. 4741runtime.
4100 4742
4743The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4744(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4745
4101=item C<4> - full API configuration 4746=item C<4> - full API configuration
4102 4747
4103This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and 4748This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4104enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1). 4749enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4105 4750
4135 4780
4136With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough 4781With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4137when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by 4782when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4138your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an 4783your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4139I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb. 4784I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4785
4786=item EV_API_STATIC
4787
4788If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
4789will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
4790identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
4791when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4792and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4793
4794To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4795wants to use libev.
4796
4797This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4798doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4140 4799
4141=item EV_AVOID_STDIO 4800=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4142 4801
4143If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio 4802If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4144functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size 4803functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4288And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 4947And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
4289 4948
4290 #include "ev_cpp.h" 4949 #include "ev_cpp.h"
4291 #include "ev.c" 4950 #include "ev.c"
4292 4951
4293=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES 4952=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
4294 4953
4295=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES 4954=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4296 4955
4297=head3 THREADS 4956=head3 THREADS
4298 4957
4349default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 5008default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4350watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 5009watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4351 5010
4352=back 5011=back
4353 5012
4354=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE 5013See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
4355
4356Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4357thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4358created/added/removed.
4359
4360For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4361which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4362languages).
4363
4364The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4365variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4366event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4367
4368First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4369
4370 typedef struct {
4371 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4372 ev_async async_w;
4373 thread_t tid;
4374 cond_t invoke_cv;
4375 } userdata;
4376
4377 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4378 {
4379 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4380 static userdata u;
4381
4382 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4383 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4384
4385 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4386 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4387
4388 // now associate this with the loop
4389 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4390 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4391 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4392
4393 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4394 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4395 }
4396
4397The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4398solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4399that might have been added:
4400
4401 static void
4402 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4403 {
4404 // just used for the side effects
4405 }
4406
4407The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4408protecting the loop data, respectively.
4409
4410 static void
4411 l_release (EV_P)
4412 {
4413 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4414 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4415 }
4416
4417 static void
4418 l_acquire (EV_P)
4419 {
4420 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4421 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4422 }
4423
4424The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4425into C<ev_run>:
4426
4427 void *
4428 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4429 {
4430 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4431
4432 l_acquire (EV_A);
4433 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4434 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
4435 l_release (EV_A);
4436
4437 return 0;
4438 }
4439
4440Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4441signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4442writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4443have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4444and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4445watchers is very beneficial):
4446
4447 static void
4448 l_invoke (EV_P)
4449 {
4450 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4451
4452 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4453 {
4454 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4455 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4456 }
4457 }
4458
4459Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4460will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4461thread to continue:
4462
4463 static void
4464 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4465 {
4466 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4467
4468 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4469 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4470 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4471 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4472 }
4473
4474Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4475event loop, you will now have to lock:
4476
4477 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4478 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4479
4480 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4481
4482 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4483 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4484 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4485 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4486
4487Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4488an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4489about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4490watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4491 5014
4492=head3 COROUTINES 5015=head3 COROUTINES
4493 5016
4494Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 5017Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4495libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 5018libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4660requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 5183requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4661model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 5184model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4662the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 5185the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4663descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 5186descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4664e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers, 5187e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
4665as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible 5188as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
4666environment. 5189environment.
4667 5190
4668Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 5191Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4669re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing, 5192re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
4670then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note 5193then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
4803 5326
4804The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5327The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4805have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is 5328have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
4806good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy 5329good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
4807(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by 5330(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
4808implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With 5331implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
5332
4809IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200. 5333With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
5334year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
5335is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
5336something like that, just kidding).
4810 5337
4811=back 5338=back
4812 5339
4813If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5340If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4814 5341
4876=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers) 5403=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
4877 5404
4878=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number) 5405=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
4879 5406
4880Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send> 5407Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
4881calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events 5408calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
5409blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
4882involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5410running async watchers or all signal numbers.
4883 5411
4884=back 5412=back
4885 5413
4886 5414
4887=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X 5415=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
4896=over 4 5424=over 4
4897 5425
4898=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism 5426=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
4899 5427
4900The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by 5428The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
4901C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING> 5429C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L</EMBEDDING>
4902section. 5430section.
4903 5431
4904=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed 5432=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
4905 5433
4906These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts: 5434These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
4949=over 4 5477=over 4
4950 5478
4951=item active 5479=item active
4952 5480
4953A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped. 5481A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
4954See L<WATCHER STATES> for details. 5482See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
4955 5483
4956=item application 5484=item application
4957 5485
4958In this document, an application is whatever is using libev. 5486In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
4959 5487
4995watchers and events. 5523watchers and events.
4996 5524
4997=item pending 5525=item pending
4998 5526
4999A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been 5527A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
5000detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details. 5528detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5001 5529
5002=item real time 5530=item real time
5003 5531
5004The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :) 5532The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
5005 5533
5006=item wall-clock time 5534=item wall-clock time
5007 5535
5008The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually 5536The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
5009be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your 5537be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
5010clock. 5538clock.
5011 5539
5012=item watcher 5540=item watcher
5013 5541
5014A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need 5542A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
5017=back 5545=back
5018 5546
5019=head1 AUTHOR 5547=head1 AUTHOR
5020 5548
5021Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael 5549Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5022Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta. 5550Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
5023 5551

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