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Revision 1.35 by root, Fri Nov 23 19:35:09 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.45 by root, Mon Nov 26 09:52:09 2007 UTC

323 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 323 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
324 324
325=item ev_default_destroy () 325=item ev_default_destroy ()
326 326
327Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 327Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
328etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in 328etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
329any way whatsoever, although you cannot rely on this :). 329sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
330responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>
331calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
332the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
333for example).
330 334
331=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 335=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
332 336
333Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 337Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
334earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 338earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
464 ev_ref (myloop); 468 ev_ref (myloop);
465 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 469 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig);
466 470
467=back 471=back
468 472
473
469=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 474=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
470 475
471A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 476A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
472interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 477interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
473become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 478become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that:
505*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 510*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
506corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 511corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
507 512
508As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 513As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
509must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 514must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
510reinitialise it or call its set macro. 515reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro.
511
512You can check whether an event is active by calling the C<ev_is_active
513(watcher *)> macro. To see whether an event is outstanding (but the
514callback for it has not been called yet) you can use the C<ev_is_pending
515(watcher *)> macro.
516 516
517Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 517Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
518registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 518registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
519third argument. 519third argument.
520 520
577with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 577with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded
578programs, though, so beware. 578programs, though, so beware.
579 579
580=back 580=back
581 581
582=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
583
584In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
585e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
586
587=over 4
588
589=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
590
591This macro initialises the generic portion of a watcher. The contents
592of the watcher object can be arbitrary (so C<malloc> will do). Only
593the generic parts of the watcher are initialised, you I<need> to call
594the type-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> macro afterwards to initialise the
595type-specific parts. For each type there is also a C<ev_TYPE_init> macro
596which rolls both calls into one.
597
598You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
599(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
600
601The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
602int revents)>.
603
604=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
605
606This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
607call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
608call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
609macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
610difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
611
612Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
613(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
614
615=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
616
617This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
618calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise
619a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
620
621=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
622
623Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
624events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
625
626=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
627
628Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending
629status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,
630non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but
631C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If
632you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a
633good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
634
635=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
636
637Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
638and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
639it.
640
641=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
642
643Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
644events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
645is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
646C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to
647libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it).
648
649=item callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
650
651Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
652
653=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
654
655Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
656(modulo threads).
657
658=back
659
660
582=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 661=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
583 662
584Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 663Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change
585and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 664and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
586to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 665to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
613 692
614This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 693This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
615information given in the last section. 694information given in the last section.
616 695
617 696
618=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable 697=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
619 698
620I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 699I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
621in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 700in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
622level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 701would not block the process and writing would at least be able to write
623condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 702some data. This behaviour is called level-triggering because you keep
624act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 703receiving events as long as the condition persists. Remember you can stop
704the watcher if you don't want to act on the event and neither want to
705receive future events.
625 706
626In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 707In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
627fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 708fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
628descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 709descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
629required if you know what you are doing). 710required if you know what you are doing).
630 711
631You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 712You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
632(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 713(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
633descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 714descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
634to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share 715to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
635the same underlying "file open"). 716the same underlying "file open").
636 717
637If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 718If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
638(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 719(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
639C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 720C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
640 721
722Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
723receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might
724be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
725because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
726lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
727this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
728it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
729C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
730
731If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
732play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
733wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
734such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
735its own, so its quite safe to use).
736
641=over 4 737=over 4
642 738
643=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 739=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
644 740
645=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 741=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
646 742
647Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 743Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
648events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_READ | 744rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
649EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 745C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
650
651Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example
652epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications
653for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and
654treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe
655interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either
656C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>, which don't suffer from this
657problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked
658when the readyness condition is no longer valid even when employing
659typical ways of handling events, so its a good idea to use non-blocking
660I/O unconditionally.
661 746
662=back 747=back
663 748
664Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 749Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
665readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 750readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
678 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 763 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
679 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 764 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
680 ev_loop (loop, 0); 765 ev_loop (loop, 0);
681 766
682 767
683=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts 768=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
684 769
685Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 770Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
686given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 771given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
687 772
688The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 773The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
770 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 855 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
771 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 856 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
772 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 857 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
773 858
774 859
775=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron 860=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
776 861
777Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 862Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
778(and unfortunately a bit complex). 863(and unfortunately a bit complex).
779 864
780Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 865Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
781but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 866but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
782to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 867to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
783periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. c<ev_now () 868periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()
784+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 869+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will
785take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 870take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger
786roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 871roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
787again). 872again).
788 873
908 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 993 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
909 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 994 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
910 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 995 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
911 996
912 997
913=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled 998=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
914 999
915Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1000Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
916signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1001signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
917will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 1002will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
918normal event processing, like any other event. 1003normal event processing, like any other event.
934of the C<SIGxxx> constants). 1019of the C<SIGxxx> constants).
935 1020
936=back 1021=back
937 1022
938 1023
939=head2 C<ev_child> - wait for pid status changes 1024=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
940 1025
941Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1026Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
942some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1027some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
943 1028
944=over 4 1029=over 4
967 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1052 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
968 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1053 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
969 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1054 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
970 1055
971 1056
972=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do 1057=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
973 1058
974Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1059Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending
975(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1060(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long
976as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1061as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals,
977imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1062imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle
1011 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1096 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1012 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1097 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1013 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1098 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1014 1099
1015 1100
1016=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 1101=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1017 1102
1018Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1103Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1019prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 1104prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1020afterwards. 1105afterwards.
1021 1106
1107You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1108the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1109watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1110rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1111those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1112C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1113called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1114
1022Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 1115Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1023their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 1116their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track
1024variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 1117variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1025coroutine library and lots more. 1118coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1119you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1120in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1121watcher).
1026 1122
1027This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1123This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
1028to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 1124to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
1029them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1125them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1030provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1126provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1052parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1148parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1053macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1149macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1054 1150
1055=back 1151=back
1056 1152
1057Example: *TODO*. 1153Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers
1154and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and
1155in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is
1156pseudo-code only of course:
1058 1157
1158 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1159 static ev_timer tw;
1059 1160
1161 static void
1162 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1163 {
1164 // set the relevant poll flags
1165 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1166 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1167 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1168 }
1169
1170 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1171 static void
1172 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1173 {
1174 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd];
1175 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1176 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1177
1178 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1179 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1180 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1181
1182 // create on ev_io per pollfd
1183 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1184 {
1185 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1186 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1187 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1188
1189 fds [i].revents = 0;
1190 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1191 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1192 }
1193 }
1194
1195 // stop all watchers after blocking
1196 static void
1197 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1198 {
1199 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1200
1201 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1202 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1203
1204 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1205 }
1206
1207
1060=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough 1208=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1061 1209
1062This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 1210This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1063into another. 1211into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded
1212loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1213fashion and must not be used).
1064 1214
1065There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and 1215There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and
1066prioritise I/O. 1216prioritise I/O.
1067 1217
1068As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 1218As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support
1076As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have 1226As for prioritising I/O: rarely you have the case where some fds have
1077to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even 1227to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even
1078priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 1228priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case
1079you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in 1229you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all the rest in
1080a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 1230a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1231
1232As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1233there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1234call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
1235their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
1236loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback
1237to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the
1238embedded loop sweep.
1081 1239
1082As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 1240As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The
1083callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 1241callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can
1084set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not 1242set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1085interested in that. 1243interested in that.
1117 else 1275 else
1118 loop_lo = loop_hi; 1276 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1119 1277
1120=over 4 1278=over 4
1121 1279
1122=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *loop) 1280=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1123 1281
1124=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *loop) 1282=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1125 1283
1126Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be embeddable. 1284Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1285embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1286invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1287to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1288if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1289
1290=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1291
1292Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1293similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1294apropriate way for embedded loops.
1127 1295
1128=back 1296=back
1129 1297
1130 1298
1131=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 1299=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1164 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 1332 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
1165 } 1333 }
1166 1334
1167 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 1335 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1168 1336
1169=item ev_feed_event (loop, watcher, int events) 1337=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1170 1338
1171Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 1339Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1172had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 1340had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1173initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 1341initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1174 1342
1175=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents) 1343=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1176 1344
1177Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 1345Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1178the given events it. 1346the given events it.
1179 1347
1180=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum) 1348=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1181 1349
1182Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 1350Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default
1351loop!).
1183 1352
1184=back 1353=back
1185 1354
1186 1355
1187=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 1356=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
1211 1380
1212=back 1381=back
1213 1382
1214=head1 C++ SUPPORT 1383=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1215 1384
1216TBD. 1385Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1386you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1387the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1388
1389To use it,
1390
1391 #include <ev++.h>
1392
1393(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h>
1394and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global
1395namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace.
1396
1397It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably
1398C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1399
1400Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1401
1402=over 4
1403
1404=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc.
1405
1406These are just enum values with the same values as the C<EV_READ> etc.
1407macros from F<ev.h>.
1408
1409=item C<ev::tstamp>, C<ev::now>
1410
1411Aliases to the same types/functions as with the C<ev_> prefix.
1412
1413=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
1414
1415For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
1416the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
1417which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
1418defines by many implementations.
1419
1420All of those classes have these methods:
1421
1422=over 4
1423
1424=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *)
1425
1426=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *)
1427
1428=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1429
1430The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to
1431the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls
1432C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method
1433before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor
1434automatically associates the default loop with this watcher.
1435
1436The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
1437
1438=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1439
1440Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1441do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1442
1443=item w->set ([args])
1444
1445Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be
1446called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1447automatically stopped and restarted.
1448
1449=item w->start ()
1450
1451Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the
1452constructor already takes the loop.
1453
1454=item w->stop ()
1455
1456Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1457
1458=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only
1459
1460For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1461C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1462
1463=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only
1464
1465Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1466
1467=back
1468
1469=back
1470
1471Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1472the constructor.
1473
1474 class myclass
1475 {
1476 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1477 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1478
1479 myclass ();
1480 }
1481
1482 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1483 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1484 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1485 {
1486 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1487 }
1488
1489=head1 EMBEDDING
1490
1491Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1492applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1493Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1494and rxvt-unicode.
1495
1496The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your
1497source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1498you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1499libev somewhere in your source tree).
1500
1501=head2 FILESETS
1502
1503Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1504in your app.
1505
1506=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1507
1508To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1509configuration (no autoconf):
1510
1511 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1512 #include "ev.c"
1513
1514This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1515single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1516it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1517done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1518where you can put other configuration options):
1519
1520 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1521 #include "ev.h"
1522
1523Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1524compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1525as a bug).
1526
1527You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1528in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1529
1530 ev.h
1531 ev.c
1532 ev_vars.h
1533 ev_wrap.h
1534
1535 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1536
1537 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default)
1538 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1539 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1540 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1541 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1542
1543F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1544to compile this single file.
1545
1546=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1547
1548To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1549
1550 #include "event.c"
1551
1552in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1553
1554 #include "event.h"
1555
1556in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1557
1558You need the following additional files for this:
1559
1560 event.h
1561 event.c
1562
1563=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1564
1565Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in
1566whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1567F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1568include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1569
1570For this of course you need the m4 file:
1571
1572 libev.m4
1573
1574=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1575
1576Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define
1577before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity
1578and only include the select backend.
1579
1580=over 4
1581
1582=item EV_STANDALONE
1583
1584Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
1585keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
1586implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
1587supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
1588F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
1589
1590=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1591
1592If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1593monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use
1594of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
1595usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1596the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have
1597to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1598function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1599
1600=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1601
1602If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1603realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at
1604runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will
1605be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1606(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries
1607in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
1608
1609=item EV_USE_SELECT
1610
1611If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1612C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no
1613other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1614will not be compiled in.
1615
1616=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1617
1618If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
1619structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
1620C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on
1621exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
1622low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
1623allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
1624influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
1625
1626=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
1627
1628When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
1629select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
1630wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to
1631be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1632C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
1633it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1634on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1635
1636=item EV_USE_POLL
1637
1638If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
1639backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1640takes precedence over select.
1641
1642=item EV_USE_EPOLL
1643
1644If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
1645C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1646otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the
1647preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.
1648
1649=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
1650
1651If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
1652C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
1653otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1654backend for BSD and BSD-like systems, although on most BSDs kqueue only
1655supports some types of fds correctly (the only platform we found that
1656supports ptys for example was NetBSD), so kqueue might be compiled in, but
1657not be used unless explicitly requested. The best way to use it is to find
1658out whether kqueue supports your type of fd properly and use an embedded
1659kqueue loop.
1660
1661=item EV_USE_PORT
1662
1663If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Solaris
166410 port style backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
1665otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
1666backend for Solaris 10 systems.
1667
1668=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
1669
1670reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
1671
1672=item EV_H
1673
1674The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
1675undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This
1676can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
1677
1678=item EV_CONFIG_H
1679
1680If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
1681F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
1682C<EV_H>, above.
1683
1684=item EV_EVENT_H
1685
1686Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
1687of how the F<event.h> header can be found.
1688
1689=item EV_PROTOTYPES
1690
1691If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
1692prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
1693occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
1694around libev functions.
1695
1696=item EV_MULTIPLICITY
1697
1698If undefined or defined to C<1>, then all event-loop-specific functions
1699will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
1700additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
1701for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
1702argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
1703
1704=item EV_PERIODICS
1705
1706If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported,
1707otherwise not. This saves a few kb of code.
1708
1709=item EV_COMMON
1710
1711By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
1712this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
1713members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
1714though, and it must be identical each time.
1715
1716For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
1717
1718 #define EV_COMMON \
1719 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
1720 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
1721
1722=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
1723
1724=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
1725
1726=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
1727
1728Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
1729and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
1730definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for
1731their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
1732avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
1733method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
1734
1735=head2 EXAMPLES
1736
1737For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
1738verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
1739(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV.html>). It has the libev files in
1740the F<libev/> subdirectory and includes them in the F<EV/EVAPI.h> (public
1741interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
1742will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
1743file.
1744
1745The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
1746that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices:
1747
1748 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
1749 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
1750 #define EV_PERIODICS 0
1751 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
1752
1753 #include "ev++.h"
1754
1755And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
1756
1757 #include "ev_cpp.h"
1758 #include "ev.c"
1217 1759
1218=head1 AUTHOR 1760=head1 AUTHOR
1219 1761
1220Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 1762Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
1221 1763

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