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Revision 1.391 by root, Tue Dec 20 16:32:21 2011 UTC

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
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))
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))
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, 502descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
469returning before the timeout value requiring additional iterations and so 503returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
504(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
470on. 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
471I<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
472take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course 507set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
473hard to detect. 508and is of course hard to detect.
474 509
475Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but 510Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
476of 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
477I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot 512totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
478even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially 513one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
479on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by 514(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
480employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the 515notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
481events 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
482not 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
483perfectly 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...
484 526
485While 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
486will 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
487incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different 529incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
488I<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
554=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 596=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
555 597
556This 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,
557it'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)).
558 600
559Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
560notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
561blocking when no data (or space) is available.
562
563While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 601While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
564file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 602file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
565descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 603descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
566might perform better. 604might perform better.
567 605
568On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 606On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
569notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
570in 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
571OS-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.
572 620
573This 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
574C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 622C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
575 623
576=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 624=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
577 625
578Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 626Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
579with 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
580C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 628C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
581 629
582It 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).
583 639
584=back 640=back
585 641
586If 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,
587then 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
616This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by 672This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
617C<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
618C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe. 674C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
619 675
620Note 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
621except 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.
622If 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>
623and C<ev_loop_destroy>. 679and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
624 680
625=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 681=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
626 682
674prepare and check phases. 730prepare and check phases.
675 731
676=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop) 732=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
677 733
678Returns 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
679times C<ev_run> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth. 735times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
680 736
681Outside 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
682C<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),
683in which case it is higher. 739in which case it is higher.
684 740
685Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread 741Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
686etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this as a hint to avoid such 742throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
687ungentleman-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.
688 745
689=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 746=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
690 747
691Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 748Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
692use. 749use.
754finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 811finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
755that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 812that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
756of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 813of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
757beauty. 814beauty.
758 815
816This function is also I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of
817a C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
818exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
819will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
820
759A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle 821A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
760those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and 822those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
761block your process in case there are no events and will return after one 823block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
762iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new 824iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
763events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive. 825events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
772This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 834This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
773with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 835with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
774own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 836own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
775usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 837usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
776 838
777Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does: 839Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
840understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
841future versions):
778 842
779 - Increment loop depth. 843 - Increment loop depth.
780 - Reset the ev_break status. 844 - Reset the ev_break status.
781 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 845 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
782 LOOP: 846 LOOP:
815anymore. 879anymore.
816 880
817 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 881 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
818 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 882 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
819 ev_run (my_loop, 0); 883 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
820 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 884 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
821 885
822=item ev_break (loop, how) 886=item ev_break (loop, how)
823 887
824Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it 888Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
825has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 889has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
826C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or 890C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
827C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return. 891C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
828 892
829This "break state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_run> again. 893This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
830 894
831It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too. 895It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
896which case it will have no effect.
832 897
833=item ev_ref (loop) 898=item ev_ref (loop)
834 899
835=item ev_unref (loop) 900=item ev_unref (loop)
836 901
857running when nothing else is active. 922running when nothing else is active.
858 923
859 ev_signal exitsig; 924 ev_signal exitsig;
860 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 925 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
861 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 926 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
862 evf_unref (loop); 927 ev_unref (loop);
863 928
864Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 929Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
865 930
866 ev_ref (loop); 931 ev_ref (loop);
867 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 932 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
887overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 952overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
888 953
889By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 954By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
890time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 955time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
891at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 956at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
892C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 957C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
893introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The 958introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
894sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then 959sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
895once per this interval, on average. 960once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
961good enough).
896 962
897Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 963Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
898to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 964to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
899latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called 965latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
900later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null 966later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
954can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around 1020can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
955each call to a libev function. 1021each call to a libev function.
956 1022
957However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible 1023However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
958to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event 1024to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
959loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these 1025loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
960I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop. 1026I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
961 1027
962When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is 1028When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
963suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just 1029suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
964afterwards. 1030afterwards.
979See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this 1045See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
980document. 1046document.
981 1047
982=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data) 1048=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
983 1049
984=item ev_userdata (loop) 1050=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
985 1051
986Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When 1052Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
987C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns 1053C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
988C<0.> 1054C<0>.
989 1055
990These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop, 1056These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
991and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and 1057and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
992C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for 1058C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
993any other purpose as well. 1059any other purpose as well.
1306See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related 1372See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1307functions that do not need a watcher. 1373functions that do not need a watcher.
1308 1374
1309=back 1375=back
1310 1376
1311=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1377See also the L<ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L<BUILDING YOUR
1312 1378OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1313Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
1314and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
1315to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
1316don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data
1317member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1318data:
1319
1320 struct my_io
1321 {
1322 ev_io io;
1323 int otherfd;
1324 void *somedata;
1325 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1326 };
1327
1328 ...
1329 struct my_io w;
1330 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1331
1332And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1333can cast it back to your own type:
1334
1335 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
1336 {
1337 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
1338 ...
1339 }
1340
1341More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
1342instead have been omitted.
1343
1344Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
1345embedded watchers:
1346
1347 struct my_biggy
1348 {
1349 int some_data;
1350 ev_timer t1;
1351 ev_timer t2;
1352 }
1353
1354In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1355complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1356in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1357some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1358programmers):
1359
1360 #include <stddef.h>
1361
1362 static void
1363 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1364 {
1365 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1366 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1367 }
1368
1369 static void
1370 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1371 {
1372 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1373 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1374 }
1375 1379
1376=head2 WATCHER STATES 1380=head2 WATCHER STATES
1377 1381
1378There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual - 1382There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1379active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to 1383active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1382 1386
1383=over 4 1387=over 4
1384 1388
1385=item initialiased 1389=item initialiased
1386 1390
1387Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be 1391Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
1388initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to 1392initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1389C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function. 1393C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1390 1394
1391In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use 1395In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
1392in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will. 1396use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
1397will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
1398C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
1393 1399
1394=item started/running/active 1400=item started/running/active
1395 1401
1396Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes 1402Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1397property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in 1403property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1425latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless 1431latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1426of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before 1432of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1427freeing it is often a good idea. 1433freeing it is often a good idea.
1428 1434
1429While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the 1435While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1430initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way 1436initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1431you wish. 1437you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
1438it again).
1432 1439
1433=back 1440=back
1434 1441
1435=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS 1442=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1436 1443
1565In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1572In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1566fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1573fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1567descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1574descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1568required if you know what you are doing). 1575required if you know what you are doing).
1569 1576
1570If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1571known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1572C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1573descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1574files) - libev doesn't guarantee any specific behaviour in that case.
1575
1576Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1577Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1577receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1578receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1578be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1579be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1579because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1580because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1580lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1581with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1581this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1582use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1582it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1583C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1583preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1584 1584
1585If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should 1585If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1586not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately 1586not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1587re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good 1587re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1588interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already 1588interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1589does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally 1589this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1590use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block 1590use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1591indefinitely. 1591indefinitely.
1592 1592
1593But really, best use non-blocking mode. 1593But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1594 1594
1622 1622
1623There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1623There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1624for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1624for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1625C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1625C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1626 1626
1627=head3 The special problem of files
1628
1629Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1630representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1631doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1632
1633However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1634notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1635there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1636always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1637write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1638
1639Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1640devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1641on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1642will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1643wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1644
1645Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1646mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1647to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1648convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1649usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1650(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1651F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1652asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1653it "just works" instead of freezing.
1654
1655So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1656libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1657when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1658reuse the same code path.
1659
1627=head3 The special problem of fork 1660=head3 The special problem of fork
1628 1661
1629Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1662Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1630useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1663useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1631it in the child. 1664it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the child.
1632 1665
1633To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1666To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1634C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1667()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1635enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1668C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1636C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1637 1669
1638=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1670=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1639 1671
1640While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>: 1672While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1641when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets 1673when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1739detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1771detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1740monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1772monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1741 1773
1742The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1774The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1743passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this 1775passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1744might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the 1776might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
1777early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1745same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked 1778iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1746before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is 1779ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1747no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively). 1780longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1748 1781
1749=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1782=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1750 1783
1751Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1784Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1752recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1785recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1827 1860
1828In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone, 1861In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1829but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only 1862but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1830within the callback: 1863within the callback:
1831 1864
1865 ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1832 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity 1866 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1867 ev_timer timer;
1833 1868
1834 static void 1869 static void
1835 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1870 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1836 { 1871 {
1837 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A); 1872 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1838 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.; 1873 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1839 1874
1840 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out 1875 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occured
1841 if (timeout < now) 1876 if (after < 0.)
1842 { 1877 {
1843 // timeout occurred, take action 1878 // timeout occurred, take action
1844 } 1879 }
1845 else 1880 else
1846 { 1881 {
1847 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1882 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1848 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1883 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1849 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1884 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1850 w->repeat = timeout - now; 1885 // the timeout can occur.
1886 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1851 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1887 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1852 } 1888 }
1853 } 1889 }
1854 1890
1855To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1891To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1856as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has 1892timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1857been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise 1893C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1858the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so 1894(EV_A)> from that).
1859re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1860a timeout then.
1861 1895
1862Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the 1896If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1863C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running. 1897timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
1898
1899Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
1900and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
1901
1902In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
1903the timeout cocured. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
1904again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1864 1905
1865This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds 1906This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1866minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to 1907minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1867libev to change the timeout. 1908libev to change the timeout.
1868 1909
1869To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity> 1910To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1870to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 1911C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1871callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 1912now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
1913the timer:
1872 1914
1915 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1873 ev_init (timer, callback); 1916 ev_init (&timer, callback);
1874 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1917 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1875 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1876 1918
1877And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 1919When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1878C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 1920C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1879 1921
1922 if (activity detected)
1880 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1923 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1924
1925When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
1926providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
1927will agaion do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
1928
1929 timeout = new_value;
1930 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
1931 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1881 1932
1882This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the 1933This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1883time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient. 1934time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1884
1885Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1886callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1887fix things for you.
1888 1935
1889=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts. 1936=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1890 1937
1891If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all 1938If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1892employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can 1939employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1919Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is 1966Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1920rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays 1967rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1921off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually 1968off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1922overkill :) 1969overkill :)
1923 1970
1971=head3 The special problem of being too early
1972
1973If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
1974you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
1975cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
1976guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
1977process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
1978
1979So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
1980delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
1981
1982A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
1983loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
1984this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
1985expect.
1986
1987To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
1988resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
1989yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
1990event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
1991(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
1992
1993If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
1994501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
1995one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
1996intentions.
1997
1998This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
1999delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
2000larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
2001the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
2002
2003So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
2004exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
2005delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
2006late" side of things.
2007
1924=head3 The special problem of time updates 2008=head3 The special problem of time updates
1925 2009
1926Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 2010Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
1927least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 2011at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1928time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a 2012time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1929growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 2013growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1930lots of events in one iteration. 2014lots of events in one iteration.
1931 2015
1932The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2016The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1938 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 2022 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.);
1939 2023
1940If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 2024If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1941update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 2025update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1942()>. 2026()>.
2027
2028=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2029
2030Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2031"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2032jumps).
2033
2034Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
2035on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
2036than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
2037a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
2038than a directly following call to C<time>.
2039
2040The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
2041C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
2042a second or so.
2043
2044One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
2045the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
2046or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
2047invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
2048
2049This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
2050libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
2051I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
2052
2053If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
2054connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
2055exactly the right behaviour.
2056
2057If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
2058you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
2059time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
1943 2060
1944=head3 The special problems of suspended animation 2061=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1945 2062
1946When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that 2063When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1947can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend? 2064can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1991keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2108keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1992do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2109do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1993 2110
1994=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2111=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1995 2112
1996This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 2113This will act as if the timer timed out and restarts it again if it is
1997repeating. The exact semantics are: 2114repeating. The exact semantics are:
1998 2115
1999If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2116If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
2000 2117
2001If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2118If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
2131 2248
2132Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2249Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
2133C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2250C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
2134time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2251time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
2135 2252
2136For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near 2253The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
2137C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2254interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
2138this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2255microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2256at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2257ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2258C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
2139 2259
2140Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2260Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
2141speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2261speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
2142will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2262will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
2143millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2263millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
2257 2377
2258=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2378=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2259 2379
2260Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2380Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2261signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2381signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
2262will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2382will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
2263normal event processing, like any other event. 2383normal event processing, like any other event.
2264 2384
2265If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use 2385If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2266C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing 2386C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2267the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to 2387the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2286=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create 2406=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2287 2407
2288Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition 2408Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2289(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after 2409(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2290stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal, 2410stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2291and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler. 2411and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2412see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2292 2413
2293While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never 2414While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2294sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on 2415sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2295C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect 2416C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2296certain signals to be blocked. 2417certain signals to be blocked.
2309I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily. 2430I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2310 2431
2311So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when 2432So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2312you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This 2433you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2313is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries. 2434is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2435
2436=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2437
2438POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2439a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2440threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2441
2442When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2443for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2444all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2445sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2446loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2447these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2448in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
2314 2449
2315=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2450=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2316 2451
2317=over 4 2452=over 4
2318 2453
3153 atexit (program_exits); 3288 atexit (program_exits);
3154 3289
3155 3290
3156=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop 3291=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
3157 3292
3158In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other 3293In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
3159asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3294asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
3160loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3295loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
3161 3296
3162Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control, 3297Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
3163for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async> 3298for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
3165it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe. 3300it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
3166 3301
3167This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3302This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
3168too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3303too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
3169(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3304(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
3170C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3305C<ev_async_sent> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
3171 3306of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
3172Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3307signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
3173just the default loop. 3308even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
3174 3309
3175=head3 Queueing 3310=head3 Queueing
3176 3311
3177C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3312C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
3178is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3313is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
3270trust me. 3405trust me.
3271 3406
3272=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3407=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3273 3408
3274Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3409Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3275an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3410an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3411returns.
3412
3276C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3413Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
3277similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3414signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
3278section below on what exactly this means). 3415embedding section below on what exactly this means).
3279 3416
3280Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get 3417Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3281compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this 3418compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
3282is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>, 3419this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3283reset when the event loop detects that). 3420C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3284 3421
3285This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop 3422This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3286iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to 3423loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3287repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop. 3424the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
3425repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
3426performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
3427zero) under load.
3288 3428
3289=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3429=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3290 3430
3291Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3431Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3292watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3432watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
3347 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3487 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3348 3488
3349=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents) 3489=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3350 3490
3351Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3491Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3352the given events it. 3492the given events.
3353 3493
3354=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum) 3494=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3355 3495
3356Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3496Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3357loop!). 3497which is async-safe.
3358 3498
3359=back 3499=back
3500
3501
3502=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3503
3504This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3505obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3506section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3507
3508=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3509
3510Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3511or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3512to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3513don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3514data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3515data:
3516
3517 struct my_io
3518 {
3519 ev_io io;
3520 int otherfd;
3521 void *somedata;
3522 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3523 };
3524
3525 ...
3526 struct my_io w;
3527 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3528
3529And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3530can cast it back to your own type:
3531
3532 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3533 {
3534 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3535 ...
3536 }
3537
3538More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3539function type instead have been omitted.
3540
3541=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3542
3543Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3544embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3545multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3546
3547 struct my_biggy
3548 {
3549 int some_data;
3550 ev_timer t1;
3551 ev_timer t2;
3552 }
3553
3554In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3555complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3556the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3557to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3558real programmers):
3559
3560 #include <stddef.h>
3561
3562 static void
3563 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3564 {
3565 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3566 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3567 }
3568
3569 static void
3570 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3571 {
3572 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3573 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3574 }
3575
3576=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
3577
3578Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
3579
3580 callback ()
3581 {
3582 free (request);
3583 }
3584
3585 request = start_new_request (..., callback);
3586
3587The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
3588used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
3589
3590It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
3591immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
3592some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
3593operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
3594
3595The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
3596has returned, so C<request> is not set.
3597
3598Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
3599might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
3600canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
3601already been invoked.
3602
3603A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
3604C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
3605C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
3606delay invoking the callback by e.g. using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher
3607for example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher
3608and pushing it into the pending queue:
3609
3610 ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
3611 ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
3612
3613This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
3614invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
3615
3616=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3617
3618Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3619I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3620invoking C<ev_run>.
3621
3622This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3623main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3624a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3625and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3626other combination: In these cases, C<ev_break> will not work alone.
3627
3628The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3629invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3630triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3631
3632 // main loop
3633 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3634
3635 while (!exit_main_loop)
3636 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3637
3638 // in a modal watcher
3639 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3640
3641 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3642 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3643
3644To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3645
3646 // exit modal loop
3647 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3648
3649 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3650 exit_main_loop = 1;
3651
3652 // exit both
3653 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3654
3655=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3656
3657Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3658thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3659created/added/removed.
3660
3661For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3662which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3663languages).
3664
3665The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3666variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3667event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3668
3669First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3670
3671 typedef struct {
3672 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3673 ev_async async_w;
3674 thread_t tid;
3675 cond_t invoke_cv;
3676 } userdata;
3677
3678 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3679 {
3680 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3681 static userdata u;
3682
3683 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
3684 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3685
3686 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
3687 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
3688
3689 // now associate this with the loop
3690 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3691 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3692 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3693
3694 // then create the thread running ev_run
3695 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3696 }
3697
3698The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3699solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3700that might have been added:
3701
3702 static void
3703 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3704 {
3705 // just used for the side effects
3706 }
3707
3708The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3709protecting the loop data, respectively.
3710
3711 static void
3712 l_release (EV_P)
3713 {
3714 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3715 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3716 }
3717
3718 static void
3719 l_acquire (EV_P)
3720 {
3721 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3722 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3723 }
3724
3725The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3726into C<ev_run>:
3727
3728 void *
3729 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3730 {
3731 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3732
3733 l_acquire (EV_A);
3734 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3735 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3736 l_release (EV_A);
3737
3738 return 0;
3739 }
3740
3741Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3742signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3743writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3744have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3745and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3746watchers is very beneficial):
3747
3748 static void
3749 l_invoke (EV_P)
3750 {
3751 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3752
3753 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3754 {
3755 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3756 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3757 }
3758 }
3759
3760Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3761will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3762thread to continue:
3763
3764 static void
3765 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3766 {
3767 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3768
3769 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3770 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3771 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3772 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3773 }
3774
3775Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3776event loop, you will now have to lock:
3777
3778 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3779 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3780
3781 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3782
3783 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3784 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3785 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3786 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3787
3788Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3789an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3790about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3791watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3792
3793=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
3794
3795While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
3796is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
3797kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
3798doesn't need callbacks anymore.
3799
3800Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
3801C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
3802and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
3803global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
3804event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
3805the differing C<;> conventions):
3806
3807 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3808 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
3809
3810That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
3811coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
3812your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
3813
3814A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
3815C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
3816matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
3817called):
3818
3819 void
3820 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
3821 {
3822 ev_cb_set (w) = current_coro;
3823 switch_to (libev_coro);
3824 }
3825
3826That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
3827continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
3828this or any other coroutine.
3829
3830You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
3831instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
3832switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
3833any waiters.
3834
3835To embed libev, see L<EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
3836files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
3837
3838 // my_ev.h
3839 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3840 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb);
3841 #include "../libev/ev.h"
3842
3843 // my_ev.c
3844 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
3845 #include "../libev/ev.c"
3846
3847And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
3848F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
3849can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
3360 3850
3361 3851
3362=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 3852=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
3363 3853
3364Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 3854Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
3365emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 3855emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
3366 3856
3367=over 4 3857=over 4
3858
3859=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
3860
3861This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
3862and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
3368 3863
3369=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 3864=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
3370 3865
3371=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 3866=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
3372ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 3867ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
3378=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 3873=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
3379will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 3874will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
3380is an ev_pri field. 3875is an ev_pri field.
3381 3876
3382=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 3877=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3383first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 3878base that registered the signal gets the signals.
3384 3879
3385=item * Other members are not supported. 3880=item * Other members are not supported.
3386 3881
3387=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 3882=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
3388to use the libev header file and library. 3883to use the libev header file and library.
3407Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 3902Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
3408classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 3903classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3409that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 3904that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3410you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 3905you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3411 3906
3412Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 3907Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
3413used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 3908with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3414need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 3909to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3415types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 3910you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3416it). 3911(preferably after implementing it).
3417 3912
3418Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3913Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3419 3914
3420=over 4 3915=over 4
3421 3916
3431=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 3926=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3432 3927
3433For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 3928For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
3434the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 3929the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
3435which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 3930which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3436defines by many implementations. 3931defined by many implementations.
3437 3932
3438All of those classes have these methods: 3933All of those classes have these methods:
3439 3934
3440=over 4 3935=over 4
3441 3936
3574watchers in the constructor. 4069watchers in the constructor.
3575 4070
3576 class myclass 4071 class myclass
3577 { 4072 {
3578 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4073 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3579 ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4074 ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3580 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 4075 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
3581 4076
3582 myclass (int fd) 4077 myclass (int fd)
3583 { 4078 {
3584 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 4079 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3635L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>. 4130L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3636 4131
3637=item D 4132=item D
3638 4133
3639Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 4134Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3640be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 4135be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
3641 4136
3642=item Ocaml 4137=item Ocaml
3643 4138
3644Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at 4139Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3645L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>. 4140L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3693suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 4188suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3694 4189
3695=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 4190=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3696 4191
3697Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 4192Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3698loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 4193loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
4194will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
4195
4196For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
4197to initialise the loop somewhere.
3699 4198
3700=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_> 4199=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3701 4200
3702Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the 4201Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3703default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour 4202default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3848supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4347supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3849F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4348F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3850 4349
3851In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the 4350In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3852configuration, but has to be more conservative. 4351configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4352
4353=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4354
4355If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4356periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4357portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4358link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4359function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4360this.
3853 4361
3854=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4362=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3855 4363
3856If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4364If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3857monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no 4365monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3990indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4498indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3991 4499
3992=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4500=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3993 4501
3994Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4502Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3995access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 4503access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal
3996type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 4504contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can
3997that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 4505provide your own type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used
3998as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4506both for signal handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety
4507in C<ev_async> watchers.
3999 4508
4000In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4509In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
4001(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4510(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms,
4511although strictly speaking using a type that also implies a memory fence
4512is required.
4002 4513
4003=item EV_H (h) 4514=item EV_H (h)
4004 4515
4005The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 4516The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
4006undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 4517undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
4030will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 4541will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
4031additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 4542additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
4032for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 4543for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
4033argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 4544argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
4034 4545
4546Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
4547default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
4548initialise the loop manually in this case.
4549
4035=item EV_MINPRI 4550=item EV_MINPRI
4036 4551
4037=item EV_MAXPRI 4552=item EV_MAXPRI
4038 4553
4039The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to 4554The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
4136 4651
4137With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough 4652With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4138when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by 4653when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4139your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an 4654your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4140I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb. 4655I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4656
4657=item EV_API_STATIC
4658
4659If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
4660will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
4661identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
4662when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4663and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4664
4665To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4666wants to use libev.
4141 4667
4142=item EV_AVOID_STDIO 4668=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4143 4669
4144If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio 4670If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4145functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size 4671functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4289And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 4815And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
4290 4816
4291 #include "ev_cpp.h" 4817 #include "ev_cpp.h"
4292 #include "ev.c" 4818 #include "ev.c"
4293 4819
4294=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES 4820=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
4295 4821
4296=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES 4822=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4297 4823
4298=head3 THREADS 4824=head3 THREADS
4299 4825
4350default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 4876default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4351watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 4877watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4352 4878
4353=back 4879=back
4354 4880
4355=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE 4881See also L<THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
4356
4357Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4358thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4359created/added/removed.
4360
4361For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4362which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4363languages).
4364
4365The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4366variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4367event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4368
4369First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4370
4371 typedef struct {
4372 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4373 ev_async async_w;
4374 thread_t tid;
4375 cond_t invoke_cv;
4376 } userdata;
4377
4378 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4379 {
4380 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4381 static userdata u;
4382
4383 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4384 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4385
4386 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4387 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4388
4389 // now associate this with the loop
4390 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4391 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4392 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4393
4394 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4395 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4396 }
4397
4398The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4399solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4400that might have been added:
4401
4402 static void
4403 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4404 {
4405 // just used for the side effects
4406 }
4407
4408The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4409protecting the loop data, respectively.
4410
4411 static void
4412 l_release (EV_P)
4413 {
4414 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4415 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4416 }
4417
4418 static void
4419 l_acquire (EV_P)
4420 {
4421 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4422 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4423 }
4424
4425The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4426into C<ev_run>:
4427
4428 void *
4429 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4430 {
4431 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4432
4433 l_acquire (EV_A);
4434 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4435 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
4436 l_release (EV_A);
4437
4438 return 0;
4439 }
4440
4441Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4442signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4443writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4444have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4445and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4446watchers is very beneficial):
4447
4448 static void
4449 l_invoke (EV_P)
4450 {
4451 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4452
4453 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4454 {
4455 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4456 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4457 }
4458 }
4459
4460Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4461will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4462thread to continue:
4463
4464 static void
4465 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4466 {
4467 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4468
4469 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4470 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4471 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4472 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4473 }
4474
4475Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4476event loop, you will now have to lock:
4477
4478 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4479 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4480
4481 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4482
4483 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4484 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4485 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4486 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4487
4488Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4489an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4490about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4491watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4492 4882
4493=head3 COROUTINES 4883=head3 COROUTINES
4494 4884
4495Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 4885Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4496libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 4886libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4661requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 5051requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4662model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 5052model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4663the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 5053the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4664descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 5054descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4665e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers, 5055e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
4666as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible 5056as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
4667environment. 5057environment.
4668 5058
4669Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 5059Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4670re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing, 5060re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
4671then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note 5061then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
4804 5194
4805The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5195The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4806have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is 5196have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
4807good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy 5197good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
4808(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by 5198(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
4809implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With 5199implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
5200
4810IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200. 5201With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
5202year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
5203is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
5204something like that, just kidding).
4811 5205
4812=back 5206=back
4813 5207
4814If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5208If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4815 5209
4877=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers) 5271=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
4878 5272
4879=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number) 5273=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
4880 5274
4881Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send> 5275Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
4882calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events 5276calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
5277blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
4883involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5278running async watchers or all signal numbers.
4884 5279
4885=back 5280=back
4886 5281
4887 5282
4888=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X 5283=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
5005The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :) 5400The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
5006 5401
5007=item wall-clock time 5402=item wall-clock time
5008 5403
5009The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually 5404The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
5010be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your 5405be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
5011clock. 5406clock.
5012 5407
5013=item watcher 5408=item watcher
5014 5409
5015A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need 5410A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
5018=back 5413=back
5019 5414
5020=head1 AUTHOR 5415=head1 AUTHOR
5021 5416
5022Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael 5417Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5023Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta. 5418Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
5024 5419

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