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Revision 1.35 by root, Fri Nov 23 19:35:09 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.59 by root, Wed Nov 28 17:32:24 2007 UTC

3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10
11 #include <ev.h>
12
13 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */
17 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */
23 }
24
25 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */
30 }
31
32 int
33 main (void)
34 {
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */
46 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47
48 return 0;
49 }
8 50
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 51=head1 DESCRIPTION
10 52
11Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 53Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
12file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 54file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage
21details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 63details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
22watcher. 64watcher.
23 65
24=head1 FEATURES 66=head1 FEATURES
25 67
26Libev supports select, poll, the linux-specific epoll and the bsd-specific 68Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
27kqueue mechanisms for file descriptor events, relative timers, absolute 69BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
28timers with customised rescheduling, signal events, process status change 70for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
29events (related to SIGCHLD), and event watchers dealing with the event 71(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
30loop mechanism itself (idle, prepare and check watchers). It also is quite 72with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals
73(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event
74watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
75C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as
76file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events
77(C<ev_fork>).
78
79It also is quite fast (see this
31fast (see this L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing 80L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
32it to libevent for example). 81for example).
33 82
34=head1 CONVENTIONS 83=head1 CONVENTIONS
35 84
36Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration 85Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will
37will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info 86be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about
38about various configuration options please have a look at the file 87various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in
39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without 88this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event
40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial 89loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>
41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) 90(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.
42will not have this argument.
43 91
44=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 92=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION
45 93
46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 94Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 95(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
48the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 96the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 97called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
50to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 98to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
51it, you should treat it as such. 99it, you should treat it as such.
52 100
53
54=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 101=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
55 102
56These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 103These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
57library in any way. 104library in any way.
58 105
77Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 124Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
78as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 125as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
79compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 126compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
80not a problem. 127not a problem.
81 128
82Example: make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 129Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
83version: 130version.
84 131
85 assert (("libev version mismatch", 132 assert (("libev version mismatch",
86 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 133 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
87 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 134 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
88 135
118 165
119See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 166See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
120 167
121=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 168=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
122 169
123Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 170Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
124realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 171semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to
125and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory 172allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when
126needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 173memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some
127destructive action. The default is your system realloc function. 174potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc
175function.
128 176
129You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 177You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
130free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 178free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
131or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 179or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
132 180
133Example: replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 181Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
134retries: better than mine). 182retries).
135 183
136 static void * 184 static void *
137 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, long size) 185 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
138 { 186 {
139 for (;;) 187 for (;;)
140 { 188 {
141 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 189 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
142 190
158callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 206callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no
159matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 207matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
160requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 208requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
161(such as abort). 209(such as abort).
162 210
163Example: do the same thing as libev does internally: 211Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
164 212
165 static void 213 static void
166 fatal_error (const char *msg) 214 fatal_error (const char *msg)
167 { 215 {
168 perror (msg); 216 perror (msg);
314Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 362Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
315always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 363always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
316handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 364handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
317undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 365undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
318 366
319Example: try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 367Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
320 368
321 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 369 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
322 if (!epoller) 370 if (!epoller)
323 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 371 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
324 372
325=item ev_default_destroy () 373=item ev_default_destroy ()
326 374
327Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 375Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state
328etc.). This stops all registered event watchers (by not touching them in 376etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
329any way whatsoever, although you cannot rely on this :). 377sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
378responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yoursef I<before>
379calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
380the easiest thing, youc na just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
381for example).
330 382
331=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 383=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
332 384
333Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an 385Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
334earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>. 386earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
419 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 471 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
420 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 472 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
421 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 473 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
422 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 474 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
423 475
424Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 476Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding
425anymore. 477anymore.
426 478
427 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 479 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
428 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 480 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
429 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 481 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
449visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 501visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
450no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 502no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
451way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 503way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
452libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 504libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.
453 505
454Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 506Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
455running when nothing else is active. 507running when nothing else is active.
456 508
457 struct dv_signal exitsig; 509 struct ev_signal exitsig;
458 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 510 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
459 ev_signal_start (myloop, &exitsig); 511 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
460 evf_unref (myloop); 512 evf_unref (loop);
461 513
462Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 514Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
463 515
464 ev_ref (myloop); 516 ev_ref (loop);
465 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 517 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
466 518
467=back 519=back
520
468 521
469=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 522=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
470 523
471A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 524A 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 525interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
505*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 558*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
506corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 559corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
507 560
508As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 561As 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 562must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
510reinitialise it or call its set macro. 563reinitialise 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.
516 564
517Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 565Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
518registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 566registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
519third argument. 567third argument.
520 568
544The signal specified in the C<ev_signal> watcher has been received by a thread. 592The signal specified in the C<ev_signal> watcher has been received by a thread.
545 593
546=item C<EV_CHILD> 594=item C<EV_CHILD>
547 595
548The pid specified in the C<ev_child> watcher has received a status change. 596The pid specified in the C<ev_child> watcher has received a status change.
597
598=item C<EV_STAT>
599
600The path specified in the C<ev_stat> watcher changed its attributes somehow.
549 601
550=item C<EV_IDLE> 602=item C<EV_IDLE>
551 603
552The C<ev_idle> watcher has determined that you have nothing better to do. 604The C<ev_idle> watcher has determined that you have nothing better to do.
553 605
561received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 613received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
562many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 614many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
563(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 615(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
564C<ev_loop> from blocking). 616C<ev_loop> from blocking).
565 617
618=item C<EV_EMBED>
619
620The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
621
622=item C<EV_FORK>
623
624The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
625C<ev_fork>).
626
566=item C<EV_ERROR> 627=item C<EV_ERROR>
567 628
568An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 629An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might
569happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 630happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
570ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 631ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
576your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope 637your callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope
577with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 638with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded
578programs, though, so beware. 639programs, though, so beware.
579 640
580=back 641=back
642
643=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
644
645In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
646e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
647
648=over 4
649
650=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
651
652This macro initialises the generic portion of a watcher. The contents
653of the watcher object can be arbitrary (so C<malloc> will do). Only
654the generic parts of the watcher are initialised, you I<need> to call
655the type-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> macro afterwards to initialise the
656type-specific parts. For each type there is also a C<ev_TYPE_init> macro
657which rolls both calls into one.
658
659You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
660(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
661
662The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
663int revents)>.
664
665=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
666
667This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
668call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
669call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
670macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
671difference to the C<ev_init> macro).
672
673Although some watcher types do not have type-specific arguments
674(e.g. C<ev_prepare>) you still need to call its C<set> macro.
675
676=item C<ev_TYPE_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback, [args])
677
678This convinience macro rolls both C<ev_init> and C<ev_TYPE_set> macro
679calls into a single call. This is the most convinient method to initialise
680a watcher. The same limitations apply, of course.
681
682=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
683
684Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
685events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
686
687=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher)
688
689Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending
690status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example,
691non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but
692C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If
693you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a
694good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
695
696=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
697
698Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
699and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
700it.
701
702=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
703
704Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
705events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
706is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
707C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to
708libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it).
709
710=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
711
712Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
713
714=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
715
716Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
717(modulo threads).
718
719=back
720
581 721
582=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 722=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
583 723
584Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 724Each 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 725and read at any time, libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
603 { 743 {
604 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 744 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
605 ... 745 ...
606 } 746 }
607 747
608More interesting and less C-conformant ways of catsing your callback type 748More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
609have been omitted.... 749instead have been omitted.
750
751Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple
752watchers:
753
754 struct my_biggy
755 {
756 int some_data;
757 ev_timer t1;
758 ev_timer t2;
759 }
760
761In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,
762you need to use C<offsetof>:
763
764 #include <stddef.h>
765
766 static void
767 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
768 {
769 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
770 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
771 }
772
773 static void
774 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
775 {
776 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
777 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
778 }
610 779
611 780
612=head1 WATCHER TYPES 781=head1 WATCHER TYPES
613 782
614This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 783This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
615information given in the last section. 784information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,
785functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.
616 786
787Members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning that,
788while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect some
789sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while the
790watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which
791means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher
792is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something
793sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will
794not crash or malfunction in any way.
617 795
796
618=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable 797=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
619 798
620I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 799I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
621in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 800in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
622level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 801would 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 802some data. This behaviour is called level-triggering because you keep
624act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 803receiving events as long as the condition persists. Remember you can stop
804the watcher if you don't want to act on the event and neither want to
805receive future events.
625 806
626In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 807In 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 808fd 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 809descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
629required if you know what you are doing). 810required if you know what you are doing).
630 811
631You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 812You 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 813(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 814descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
634to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share 815to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
635the same underlying "file open"). 816the same underlying "file open").
636 817
637If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 818If 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 819(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
639C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 820C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
640 821
822Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
823receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might
824be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
825because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
826lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
827this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
828it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
829C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
830
831If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
832play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
833wether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
834such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
835its own, so its quite safe to use).
836
641=over 4 837=over 4
642 838
643=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 839=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
644 840
645=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 841=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
646 842
647Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 843Configures 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 | 844rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
649EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 845C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
650 846
651Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example 847=item int fd [read-only]
652epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications 848
653for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and 849The file descriptor being watched.
654treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe 850
655interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either 851=item int events [read-only]
656C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>, which don't suffer from this 852
657problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked 853The events being watched.
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.
661 854
662=back 855=back
663 856
664Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 857Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
665readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 858readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
666attempt to read a whole line in the callback: 859attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
667 860
668 static void 861 static void
669 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 862 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
670 { 863 {
671 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 864 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
678 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 871 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
679 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 872 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
680 ev_loop (loop, 0); 873 ev_loop (loop, 0);
681 874
682 875
683=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts 876=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
684 877
685Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 878Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
686given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 879given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
687 880
688The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 881The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
729 922
730If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 923If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat
731value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 924value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value.
732 925
733This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 926This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
734example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 927example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called
735timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60 928idle timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been,
736seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to 929say, 60 seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do
737configure an C<ev_timer> with after=repeat=60 and calling ev_timer_again each 930this is to configure an C<ev_timer> with C<after>=C<repeat>=C<60> and calling
738time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle 931C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
739state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop 932you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
740the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be. 933socket, you can stop the timer, and again will automatically restart it if
934need be.
935
936You can also ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> altogether
937and only ever use the C<repeat> value:
938
939 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
940 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
941 ...
942 timer->again = 17.;
943 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
944 ...
945 timer->again = 10.;
946 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
947
948This is more efficient then stopping/starting the timer eahc time you want
949to modify its timeout value.
950
951=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
952
953The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
954or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
955which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
741 956
742=back 957=back
743 958
744Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 959Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
745 960
746 static void 961 static void
747 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 962 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
748 { 963 {
749 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 964 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
751 966
752 struct ev_timer mytimer; 967 struct ev_timer mytimer;
753 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 968 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
754 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 969 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
755 970
756Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 971Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
757inactivity. 972inactivity.
758 973
759 static void 974 static void
760 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 975 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
761 { 976 {
770 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 985 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
771 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 986 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
772 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 987 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
773 988
774 989
775=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron 990=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
776 991
777Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 992Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
778(and unfortunately a bit complex). 993(and unfortunately a bit complex).
779 994
780Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 995Unlike 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 996but 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 997to 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 () 998periodic 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 999+ 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 1000take 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 1001roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time
787again). 1002again).
788 1003
872Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1087Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
873when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1088when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
874a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1089a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
875program when the crontabs have changed). 1090program when the crontabs have changed).
876 1091
1092=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1093
1094The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1095take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1096called.
1097
1098=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1099
1100The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1101switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1102the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1103
877=back 1104=back
878 1105
879Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1106Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
880system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1107system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
881potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1108potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.
882 1109
883 static void 1110 static void
884 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1111 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
888 1115
889 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1116 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
890 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1117 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
891 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1118 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
892 1119
893Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1120Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
894 1121
895 #include <math.h> 1122 #include <math.h>
896 1123
897 static ev_tstamp 1124 static ev_tstamp
898 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1125 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
900 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1127 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
901 } 1128 }
902 1129
903 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1130 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
904 1131
905Example: call a callback every hour, starting now: 1132Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
906 1133
907 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1134 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
908 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1135 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
909 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1136 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
910 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1137 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
911 1138
912 1139
913=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled 1140=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
914 1141
915Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1142Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
916signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1143signal 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 1144will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
918normal event processing, like any other event. 1145normal event processing, like any other event.
931=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1158=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
932 1159
933Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one 1160Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one
934of the C<SIGxxx> constants). 1161of the C<SIGxxx> constants).
935 1162
1163=item int signum [read-only]
1164
1165The signal the watcher watches out for.
1166
936=back 1167=back
937 1168
938 1169
939=head2 C<ev_child> - wait for pid status changes 1170=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
940 1171
941Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1172Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
942some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1173some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
943 1174
944=over 4 1175=over 4
952at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 1183at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
953the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 1184the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
954C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1185C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
955process causing the status change. 1186process causing the status change.
956 1187
1188=item int pid [read-only]
1189
1190The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1191
1192=item int rpid [read-write]
1193
1194The process id that detected a status change.
1195
1196=item int rstatus [read-write]
1197
1198The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1199C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1200
957=back 1201=back
958 1202
959Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1203Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
960 1204
961 static void 1205 static void
962 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1206 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
963 { 1207 {
964 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1208 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
967 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1211 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
968 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1212 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
969 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1213 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
970 1214
971 1215
1216=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1217
1218This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1219C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1220compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1221
1222The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1223not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1224not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1225otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1226the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1227
1228Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply
1229calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You
1230can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify
1231a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,
1232unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around
1233five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also
1234impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats
1235usually overkill.
1236
1237This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1238as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1239resource-intensive.
1240
1241At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1242implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
1243reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the
1244semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1245to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1246usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1247polling.
1248
1249=over 4
1250
1251=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1252
1253=item ev_stat_set (ev_stat *, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1254
1255Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of the given
1256C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1257be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1258a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1259path for as long as the watcher is active.
1260
1261The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,
1262relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1263last change was detected).
1264
1265=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)
1266
1267Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1268watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid
1269detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be
1270useful simply to find out the new values.
1271
1272=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1273
1274The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of
1275C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1276suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there
1277was some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1278
1279=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1280
1281The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1282C<prev> != C<attr>.
1283
1284=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1285
1286The specified interval.
1287
1288=item const char *path [read-only]
1289
1290The filesystem path that is being watched.
1291
1292=back
1293
1294Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1295
1296 static void
1297 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1298 {
1299 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1300 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1301 {
1302 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1303 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1304 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1305 }
1306 else
1307 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1308 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1309 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1310 }
1311
1312 ...
1313 ev_stat passwd;
1314
1315 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd");
1316 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1317
1318
972=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do 1319=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
973 1320
974Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1321Idle 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 1322(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, 1323as 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 1324imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle
995kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1342kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
996believe me. 1343believe me.
997 1344
998=back 1345=back
999 1346
1000Example: dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle>, start it, and in the 1347Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1001callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual. 1348callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1002 1349
1003 static void 1350 static void
1004 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1351 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1005 { 1352 {
1006 free (w); 1353 free (w);
1011 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1358 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1012 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1359 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1013 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1360 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1014 1361
1015 1362
1016=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 1363=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1017 1364
1018Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1365Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1019prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 1366prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1020afterwards. 1367afterwards.
1021 1368
1369You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1370the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1371watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1372rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1373those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1374C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1375called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1376
1022Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 1377Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1023their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 1378their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track
1024variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 1379variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1025coroutine library and lots more. 1380coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1381you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1382in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1383watcher).
1026 1384
1027This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1385This 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 1386to 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 1387them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1030provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1388provide 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> 1410parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1053macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1411macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1054 1412
1055=back 1413=back
1056 1414
1057Example: *TODO*. 1415Example: To include a library such as adns, you would add IO watchers
1416and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler, as required by libadns, and
1417in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows is
1418pseudo-code only of course:
1058 1419
1420 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1421 static ev_timer tw;
1059 1422
1423 static void
1424 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1425 {
1426 // set the relevant poll flags
1427 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1428 struct pollfd *fd = (struct pollfd *)w->data;
1429 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1430 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1431 }
1432
1433 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1434 static void
1435 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1436 {
1437 int timeout = 3600000;truct pollfd fds [nfd];
1438 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1439 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1440
1441 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1442 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1443 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1444
1445 // create on ev_io per pollfd
1446 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1447 {
1448 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1449 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1450 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1451
1452 fds [i].revents = 0;
1453 iow [i].data = fds + i;
1454 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1455 }
1456 }
1457
1458 // stop all watchers after blocking
1459 static void
1460 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1461 {
1462 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1463
1464 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1465 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1466
1467 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1468 }
1469
1470
1060=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough 1471=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1061 1472
1062This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 1473This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1063into another. 1474into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded
1475loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1476fashion and must not be used).
1064 1477
1065There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and 1478There are primarily two reasons you would want that: work around bugs and
1066prioritise I/O. 1479prioritise I/O.
1067 1480
1068As an example for a bug workaround, the kqueue backend might only support 1481As 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 1489As 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 1490to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), and even
1078priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In this case 1491priorities 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 1492you 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. 1493a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
1494
1495As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time
1496there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then
1497call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke
1498their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded
1499loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback
1500to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the
1501embedded loop sweep.
1081 1502
1082As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 1503As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The
1083callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 1504callback 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 1505set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
1085interested in that. 1506interested in that.
1117 else 1538 else
1118 loop_lo = loop_hi; 1539 loop_lo = loop_hi;
1119 1540
1120=over 4 1541=over 4
1121 1542
1122=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *loop) 1543=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1123 1544
1124=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *loop) 1545=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
1125 1546
1126Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be embeddable. 1547Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
1548embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
1549invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
1550to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
1551if you do not want thta, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
1552
1553=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
1554
1555Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1556similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1557apropriate way for embedded loops.
1558
1559=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only]
1560
1561The embedded event loop.
1562
1563=back
1564
1565
1566=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1567
1568Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1569whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
1570C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the
1571event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1572and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1573C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1574handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1575
1576=over 4
1577
1578=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1579
1580Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1581kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1582believe me.
1127 1583
1128=back 1584=back
1129 1585
1130 1586
1131=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 1587=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1164 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 1620 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
1165 } 1621 }
1166 1622
1167 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 1623 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
1168 1624
1169=item ev_feed_event (loop, watcher, int events) 1625=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
1170 1626
1171Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 1627Feeds 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 1628had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1173initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). 1629initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
1174 1630
1175=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents) 1631=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents)
1176 1632
1177Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 1633Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
1178the given events it. 1634the given events it.
1179 1635
1180=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum) 1636=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum)
1181 1637
1182Feed an event as if the given signal occured (loop must be the default loop!). 1638Feed an event as if the given signal occured (C<loop> must be the default
1639loop!).
1183 1640
1184=back 1641=back
1185 1642
1186 1643
1187=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 1644=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
1211 1668
1212=back 1669=back
1213 1670
1214=head1 C++ SUPPORT 1671=head1 C++ SUPPORT
1215 1672
1216TBD. 1673Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
1674you to use some convinience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
1675the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
1676
1677To use it,
1678
1679 #include <ev++.h>
1680
1681(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h>
1682and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global
1683namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace.
1684
1685It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably
1686C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1687
1688Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1689
1690=over 4
1691
1692=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc.
1693
1694These are just enum values with the same values as the C<EV_READ> etc.
1695macros from F<ev.h>.
1696
1697=item C<ev::tstamp>, C<ev::now>
1698
1699Aliases to the same types/functions as with the C<ev_> prefix.
1700
1701=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
1702
1703For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
1704the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
1705which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
1706defines by many implementations.
1707
1708All of those classes have these methods:
1709
1710=over 4
1711
1712=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *)
1713
1714=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *)
1715
1716=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1717
1718The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to
1719the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls
1720C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method
1721before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor
1722automatically associates the default loop with this watcher.
1723
1724The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
1725
1726=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1727
1728Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1729do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1730
1731=item w->set ([args])
1732
1733Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be
1734called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1735automatically stopped and restarted.
1736
1737=item w->start ()
1738
1739Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the
1740constructor already takes the loop.
1741
1742=item w->stop ()
1743
1744Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1745
1746=item w->again () C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only
1747
1748For C<ev::timer> and C<ev::periodic>, this invokes the corresponding
1749C<ev_TYPE_again> function.
1750
1751=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only
1752
1753Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1754
1755=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only
1756
1757Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1758
1759=back
1760
1761=back
1762
1763Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1764the constructor.
1765
1766 class myclass
1767 {
1768 ev_io io; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
1769 ev_idle idle void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
1770
1771 myclass ();
1772 }
1773
1774 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1775 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1776 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1777 {
1778 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1779 }
1780
1781
1782=head1 MACRO MAGIC
1783
1784Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is
1785C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines wether (most) functions and
1786callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
1787
1788To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
1789following macros are defined:
1790
1791=over 4
1792
1793=item C<EV_A>, C<EV_A_>
1794
1795This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1796loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
1797C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
1798
1799 ev_unref (EV_A);
1800 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
1801 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1802
1803It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
1804which is often provided by the following macro.
1805
1806=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
1807
1808This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
1809loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
1810C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
1811
1812 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
1813 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
1814
1815 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
1816 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1817
1818It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
1819suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
1820
1821=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
1822
1823Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
1824loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
1825
1826=back
1827
1828Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, working regardless of
1829wether multiple loops are supported or not.
1830
1831 static void
1832 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1833 {
1834 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
1835 }
1836
1837 ev_check check;
1838 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
1839 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
1840 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
1841
1842
1843=head1 EMBEDDING
1844
1845Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
1846applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
1847Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
1848and rxvt-unicode.
1849
1850The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your
1851source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
1852you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
1853libev somewhere in your source tree).
1854
1855=head2 FILESETS
1856
1857Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
1858in your app.
1859
1860=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
1861
1862To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
1863configuration (no autoconf):
1864
1865 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1866 #include "ev.c"
1867
1868This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
1869single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
1870it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
1871done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
1872where you can put other configuration options):
1873
1874 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
1875 #include "ev.h"
1876
1877Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
1878compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
1879as a bug).
1880
1881You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
1882in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
1883
1884 ev.h
1885 ev.c
1886 ev_vars.h
1887 ev_wrap.h
1888
1889 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
1890
1891 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is by default)
1892 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1893 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1894 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1895 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
1896
1897F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
1898to compile this single file.
1899
1900=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
1901
1902To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
1903
1904 #include "event.c"
1905
1906in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
1907
1908 #include "event.h"
1909
1910in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
1911
1912You need the following additional files for this:
1913
1914 event.h
1915 event.c
1916
1917=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
1918
1919Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in
1920whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
1921F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
1922include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
1923
1924For this of course you need the m4 file:
1925
1926 libev.m4
1927
1928=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
1929
1930Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define
1931before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity
1932and only include the select backend.
1933
1934=over 4
1935
1936=item EV_STANDALONE
1937
1938Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
1939keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
1940implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
1941supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
1942F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
1943
1944=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
1945
1946If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1947monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use
1948of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
1949usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
1950the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have
1951to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
1952function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
1953
1954=item EV_USE_REALTIME
1955
1956If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
1957realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at
1958runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will
1959be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
1960(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries
1961in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
1962
1963=item EV_USE_SELECT
1964
1965If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
1966C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no
1967other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
1968will not be compiled in.
1969
1970=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
1971
1972If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
1973structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
1974C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on
1975exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
1976low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
1977allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
1978influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
1979
1980=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
1981
1982When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
1983select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
1984wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to
1985be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
1986C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
1987it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
1988on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
1989
1990=item EV_USE_POLL
1991
1992If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
1993backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
1994takes precedence over select.
1995
1996=item EV_USE_EPOLL
1997
1998If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
1999C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2000otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the
2001preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.
2002
2003=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2004
2005If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2006C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2007otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2008backend for BSD and BSD-like systems, although on most BSDs kqueue only
2009supports some types of fds correctly (the only platform we found that
2010supports ptys for example was NetBSD), so kqueue might be compiled in, but
2011not be used unless explicitly requested. The best way to use it is to find
2012out whether kqueue supports your type of fd properly and use an embedded
2013kqueue loop.
2014
2015=item EV_USE_PORT
2016
2017If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Solaris
201810 port style backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2019otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2020backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2021
2022=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2023
2024reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2025
2026=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2027
2028If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2029interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2030be detected at runtime.
2031
2032=item EV_H
2033
2034The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2035undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This
2036can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2037
2038=item EV_CONFIG_H
2039
2040If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2041F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2042C<EV_H>, above.
2043
2044=item EV_EVENT_H
2045
2046Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2047of how the F<event.h> header can be found.
2048
2049=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2050
2051If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2052prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2053occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2054around libev functions.
2055
2056=item EV_MULTIPLICITY
2057
2058If undefined or defined to C<1>, then all event-loop-specific functions
2059will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2060additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2061for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2062argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2063
2064=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2065
2066If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2067defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2068code.
2069
2070=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2071
2072If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2073defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2074
2075=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2076
2077If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2078defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2079
2080=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2081
2082If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2083defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2084
2085=item EV_MINIMAL
2086
2087If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2088speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override
2089some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.
2090
2091=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2092
2093C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2094pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2095than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2096increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2097
2098=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2099
2100C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2101inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2102usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2103watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2104two).
2105
2106=item EV_COMMON
2107
2108By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2109this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2110members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2111though, and it must be identical each time.
2112
2113For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2114
2115 #define EV_COMMON \
2116 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2117 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2118
2119=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2120
2121=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2122
2123=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2124
2125Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2126and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2127definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for
2128their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2129avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2130method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2131
2132=head2 EXAMPLES
2133
2134For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2135verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2136(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV.html>). It has the libev files in
2137the F<libev/> subdirectory and includes them in the F<EV/EVAPI.h> (public
2138interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
2139will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
2140file.
2141
2142The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2143that everybody includes and which overrides some autoconf choices:
2144
2145 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2146 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2147 #define EV_PERIODICS 0
2148 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2149
2150 #include "ev++.h"
2151
2152And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2153
2154 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2155 #include "ev.c"
2156
2157
2158=head1 COMPLEXITIES
2159
2160In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2161libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2162documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2163
2164=over 4
2165
2166=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2167
2168=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2169
2170=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)
2171
2172=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)
2173
2174=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2175
2176=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)
2177
2178=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2179
2180=item Activating one watcher: O(1)
2181
2182=back
2183
1217 2184
1218=head1 AUTHOR 2185=head1 AUTHOR
1219 2186
1220Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 2187Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
1221 2188

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