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26 puts ("stdin ready"); 26 puts ("stdin ready");
27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
28 // with its corresponding stop function. 28 // with its corresponding stop function.
29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
30 30
31 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 31 // this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
32 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 32 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
33 } 33 }
34 34
35 // another callback, this time for a time-out 35 // another callback, this time for a time-out
36 static void 36 static void
37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
38 { 38 {
39 puts ("timeout"); 39 puts ("timeout");
40 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 40 // this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
41 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 41 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
42 } 42 }
43 43
44 int 44 int
45 main (void) 45 main (void)
46 { 46 {
47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 48 struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
49 49
50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59 59
60 // now wait for events to arrive 60 // now wait for events to arrive
61 ev_loop (loop, 0); 61 ev_run (loop, 0);
62 62
63 // unloop was called, so exit 63 // unloop was called, so exit
64 return 0; 64 return 0;
65 } 65 }
66 66
75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting 75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
76libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial 76libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming 77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
78with libev. 78with libev.
79 79
80Familarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed 80Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document. 81throughout this document.
82
83=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
84
85This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
86it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
87reading L<ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L<EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
88look up the missing functions in L<GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
89C<ev_timer> sections in L<WATCHER TYPES>.
82 90
83=head1 ABOUT LIBEV 91=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
84 92
85Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 93Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
86file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 94file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
118Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common) 126Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
119configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For 127configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
120more info about various configuration options please have a look at 128more info about various configuration options please have a look at
121B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support 129B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
122for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of 130for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
123name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have 131name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
124this argument. 132this argument.
125 133
126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 134=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
127 135
128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing 136Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
129the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere 137the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
130near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This 138somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
131type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually 139ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
132aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do any calculations 140too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
133on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name 141any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
142
134component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 143Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
135throughout libev. 144time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
136 145
137=head1 ERROR HANDLING 146=head1 ERROR HANDLING
138 147
139Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors 148Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
140and internal errors (bugs). 149and internal errors (bugs).
164 173
165=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 174=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
166 175
167Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 176Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
168C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 177C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
169you actually want to know. 178you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
179C<ev_update_now> and C<ev_now>.
170 180
171=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 181=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
172 182
173Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 183Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until
174either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 184either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically
191as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 201as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
192compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 202compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
193not a problem. 203not a problem.
194 204
195Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 205Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
196version. 206version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
207such as LFS or reentrancy).
197 208
198 assert (("libev version mismatch", 209 assert (("libev version mismatch",
199 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 210 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
200 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 211 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
201 212
212 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 223 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
213 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 224 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
214 225
215=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 226=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
216 227
217Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 228Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
218recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 229also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
230descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
219returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 231C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
220most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it 232and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
221(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 233you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
222libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 234probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
223 235
224=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 236=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
225 237
226Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This 238Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
227is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends 239value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
228might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at 240current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
229C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 241the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
230recommended ones. 242& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
231 243
232See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 244See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
233 245
234=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT] 246=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
235 247
236Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 248Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
237semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is 249semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
238used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero 250used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
239when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort 251when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
265 } 277 }
266 278
267 ... 279 ...
268 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 280 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
269 281
270=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT] 282=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg))
271 283
272Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such 284Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
273as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 285as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
274indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 286indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
275callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no 287callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
287 } 299 }
288 300
289 ... 301 ...
290 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 302 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
291 303
304=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
305
306This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
307safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
308handlers or random threads.
309
310Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
311in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
312by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
313creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
314mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
315C<ev_feed_signal>.
316
292=back 317=back
293 318
294=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 319=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
295 320
296An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> 321An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
297is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop> 322I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
298I<function>). 323libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
299 324
300The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which 325The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
301supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do 326supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
302not. 327do not.
303 328
304=over 4 329=over 4
305 330
306=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 331=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
307 332
308This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 333This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
309yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 334normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
310false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 335the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
311flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 336C<ev_loop_new>.
337
338If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
339returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
340C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
341flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
342one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
312 343
313If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 344If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
314function. 345function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
315 346
316Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 347Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
317from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 348from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
318as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway). 349that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
350threads anyway).
319 351
320The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 352The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
321C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 353and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
322for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either 354a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
323create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 355C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
324can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 356C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
325C<ev_default_init>. 357
358Example: This is the most typical usage.
359
360 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
361 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
362
363Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
364environment settings to be taken into account:
365
366 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
367
368=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
369
370This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
371could not be initialised, returns false.
372
373This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
374threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
375loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
326 376
327The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 377The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
328backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 378backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
329 379
330The following flags are supported: 380The following flags are supported:
345useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 395useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
346around bugs. 396around bugs.
347 397
348=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 398=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
349 399
350Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after 400Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
351a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by 401make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
352enabling this flag.
353 402
354This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 403This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
355and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 404and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
356iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 405iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
357GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 406GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
366environment variable. 415environment variable.
367 416
368=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY> 417=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
369 418
370When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 419When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
371I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and 420I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
372testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as 421testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
373otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle. 422otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
374 423
375=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGFD> 424=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
376 425
377When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 426When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
378I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This is 427I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
379probably only useful to work around any bugs in libev. Consequently, this 428delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
380flag might go away once the signalfd functionality is considered stable, 429it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
381so it's useful mostly in environment variables and not in program code. 430handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
431threads that are not interested in handling them.
432
433Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
434there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
435example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
436
437=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
438
439When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
440mask. Specifically, this means you ahve to make sure signals are unblocked
441when you want to receive them.
442
443This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
444want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
445unblocking the signals.
446
447It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
448C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
449
450This flag's behaviour will become the default in future versions of libev.
382 451
383=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 452=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
384 453
385This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 454This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
386libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 455libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
422epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). 491epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
423 492
424The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned 493The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
425of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently 494of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
426dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file 495dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
427descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and 496descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
497returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
498(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
428so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then 4990.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
429I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can 500forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
430take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course 501set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
431hard to detect. 502and is of course hard to detect.
432 503
433Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but 504Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but
434of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally 505of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally
435I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot 506I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot
436even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially 507even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially
437on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by 508on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by
438employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the 509employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the
439events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. 510events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. Last
511not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
512perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
513
514Epoll is truly the train wreck analog among event poll mechanisms,
515a frankenpoll, cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or
516interaction with others.
440 517
441While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 518While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
442will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such 519will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
443incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different 520incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
444I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed 521I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
510=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 587=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
511 588
512This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 589This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
513it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 590it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
514 591
515Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
516notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
517blocking when no data (or space) is available.
518
519While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 592While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
520file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 593file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
521descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 594descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
522might perform better. 595might perform better.
523 596
524On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 597On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
525notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
526in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 598specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
527OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks). 599among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
600hacks).
601
602On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
603even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
604function sometimes returning events to the caller even though an error
605occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
606even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where
607you absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you
608have to re-arm the watcher.
609
610Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
528 611
529This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 612This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
530C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 613C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
531 614
532=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 615=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
533 616
534Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 617Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
535with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 618with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
536C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 619C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
537 620
538It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 621It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
622C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
623at all.
624
625=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
626
627Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
628C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
629value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
539 630
540=back 631=back
541 632
542If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value, 633If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
543then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed 634then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
544here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends 635here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
545()> will be tried. 636()> will be tried.
546 637
547Example: This is the most typical usage.
548
549 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
550 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
551
552Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
553environment settings to be taken into account:
554
555 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
556
557Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
558used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
559private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
560fds):
561
562 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
563
564=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
565
566Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
567always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
568handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
569undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
570
571Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
572libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
573default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
574
575Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 638Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
576 639
577 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 640 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
578 if (!epoller) 641 if (!epoller)
579 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 642 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
580 643
644Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
645used if available.
646
647 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
648
581=item ev_default_destroy () 649=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
582 650
583Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 651Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
584etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 652etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
585sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 653sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
586responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> 654responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
587calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 655calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
588the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 656the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
590 658
591Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal 659Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
592handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such 660handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
593as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually. 661as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
594 662
595In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 663This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
596rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 664C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
665C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
666
667Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
668except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
597pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 669If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
598C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>. 670and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
599 671
600=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 672=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
601 673
602Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
603earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
604
605=item ev_default_fork ()
606
607This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations 674This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to
608to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 675reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
609name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 676name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
610the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little 677the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the
611sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev 678child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
612functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration. 679
680Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
681a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
682because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
683during fork.
613 684
614On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 685On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
615process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If 686process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
616you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all. 687you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
688call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
689difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
690costly reset of the backend).
617 691
618The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 692The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
619it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 693it just in case after a fork.
620quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
621 694
695Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
696using pthreads.
697
698 static void
699 post_fork_child (void)
700 {
701 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
702 }
703
704 ...
622 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 705 pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
623
624=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
625
626Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
627C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
628after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
629entirely your own problem.
630 706
631=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 707=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
632 708
633Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false 709Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
634otherwise. 710otherwise.
635 711
636=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 712=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
637 713
638Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 714Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
639the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 715to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
640happily wraps around with enough iterations. 716and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
641 717
642This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 718This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
643"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 719"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
644C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls. 720C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
721prepare and check phases.
645 722
646=item unsigned int ev_loop_depth (loop) 723=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
647 724
648Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of 725Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
649times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth. 726times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
650 727
651Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is 728Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
652C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread), 729C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
653in which case it is higher. 730in which case it is higher.
654 731
655Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread 732Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
656etc.), doesn't count as exit. 733throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
734as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
735convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
657 736
658=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 737=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
659 738
660Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 739Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
661use. 740use.
670 749
671=item ev_now_update (loop) 750=item ev_now_update (loop)
672 751
673Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time 752Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
674returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and 753returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
675is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>. 754is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
676 755
677This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a 756This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
678very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of 757very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
679the current time is a good idea. 758the current time is a good idea.
680 759
682 761
683=item ev_suspend (loop) 762=item ev_suspend (loop)
684 763
685=item ev_resume (loop) 764=item ev_resume (loop)
686 765
687These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is 766These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
688not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed. 767loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
689 768
690A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When 769A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
691the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it 770the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
692would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while 771would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
693the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend> 772the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
695C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing. 774C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
696 775
697Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend 776Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
698between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers 777between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
699will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have 778will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
700occured while suspended). 779occurred while suspended).
701 780
702After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the 781After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
703given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume> 782given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
704without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>. 783without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
705 784
706Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the 785Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
707event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>). 786event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
708 787
709=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 788=item ev_run (loop, int flags)
710 789
711Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 790Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
712after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start 791after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
713handling events. 792handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
793the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
794is why event loops are called I<loops>.
714 795
715If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 796If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
716either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 797until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
798called.
717 799
718Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 800Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
719relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 801relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
720finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 802finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
721that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 803that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
722of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 804of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
723beauty. 805beauty.
724 806
807This function is also I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of
808a C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
809exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
810will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
811
725A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 812A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
726those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your 813those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
727process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of 814block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
728the loop. 815iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
816events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
729 817
730A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 818A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
731necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It 819necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
732will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could 820will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
733be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a 821be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
734user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one 822user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
735iteration of the loop. 823iteration of the loop.
736 824
737This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 825This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
738with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 826with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
739own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 827own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
740usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 828usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
741 829
742Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 830Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does:
743 831
832 - Increment loop depth.
833 - Reset the ev_break status.
744 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 834 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
835 LOOP:
745 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 836 - If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
746 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers. 837 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
747 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 838 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
839 - If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
748 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state 840 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
749 as to not disturb the other process. 841 as to not disturb the other process.
750 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 842 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
751 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()). 843 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
752 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 844 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
753 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 845 (active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
754 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 846 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
755 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 847 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
848 - Increment loop iteration counter.
756 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 849 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
757 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 850 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
758 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments. 851 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
759 - Queue all expired timers. 852 - Queue all expired timers.
760 - Queue all expired periodics. 853 - Queue all expired periodics.
761 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 854 - Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
762 - Queue all check watchers. 855 - Queue all check watchers.
763 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 856 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
764 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 857 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
765 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 858 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
766 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 859 - If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
767 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise 860 were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
768 continue with step *. 861 continue with step LOOP.
862 FINISH:
863 - Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
864 - Decrement the loop depth.
865 - Return.
769 866
770Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding 867Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
771anymore. 868anymore.
772 869
773 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 870 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
774 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 871 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
775 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 872 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
776 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 873 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah!
777 874
778=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 875=item ev_break (loop, how)
779 876
780Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 877Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
781has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 878has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
782C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 879C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
783C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 880C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
784 881
785This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 882This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
786 883
787It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls. 884It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
885which case it will have no effect.
788 886
789=item ev_ref (loop) 887=item ev_ref (loop)
790 888
791=item ev_unref (loop) 889=item ev_unref (loop)
792 890
793Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 891Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
794loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 892loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
795count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. 893count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
796 894
797If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> 895This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
798from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before 896unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
897returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
799stopping it. 898before stopping it.
800 899
801As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It 900As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
802is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from 901is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
803exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an 902exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
804excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within 903excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
805third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref 904third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
806before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active 905before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
807before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself 906before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
808(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref> 907(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
809in the callback). 908in the callback).
810 909
811Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 910Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
812running when nothing else is active. 911running when nothing else is active.
813 912
814 ev_signal exitsig; 913 ev_signal exitsig;
815 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 914 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
816 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 915 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
817 evf_unref (loop); 916 ev_unref (loop);
818 917
819Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 918Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
820 919
821 ev_ref (loop); 920 ev_ref (loop);
822 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 921 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
861usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 960usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
862as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if 961as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
863you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the 962you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
864parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you 963parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
865need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01, 964need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
866then you can't do more than 100 transations per second). 965then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
867 966
868Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for 967Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
869saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that 968saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
870are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of 969are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
871times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to 970times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
879 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01); 978 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
880 979
881=item ev_invoke_pending (loop) 980=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
882 981
883This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their 982This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
884pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required, 983pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
885but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. 984but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
985function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
986when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
987event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
988thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
886 989
887=item int ev_pending_count (loop) 990=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
888 991
889Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers 992Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
890are pending. 993are pending.
891 994
892=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P)) 995=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
893 996
894This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of 997This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
895invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call 998invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
896this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to 999this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
897invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.). 1000invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
898 1001
899If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new 1002If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
900callback. 1003callback.
903 1006
904Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This 1007Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
905can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around 1008can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
906each call to a libev function. 1009each call to a libev function.
907 1010
908However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to 1011However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
909wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via 1012to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
910C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release> 1013loop via C<ev_break> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these
911and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop. 1014I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
912 1015
913When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is 1016When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
914suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just 1017suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
915afterwards. 1018afterwards.
916 1019
919 1022
920While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of 1023While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
921C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no 1024C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
922modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will 1025modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
923have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time 1026have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
924waited. USe an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it 1027waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
925to take note of any changes you made. 1028to take note of any changes you made.
926 1029
927In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between 1030In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
928invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>. 1031invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
929 1032
930See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this 1033See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
931document. 1034document.
932 1035
933=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data) 1036=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
934 1037
935=item ev_userdata (loop) 1038=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
936 1039
937Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When 1040Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
938C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns 1041C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
939C<0.> 1042C<0>.
940 1043
941These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop, 1044These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
942and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and 1045and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
943C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for 1046C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
944any other purpose as well. 1047any other purpose as well.
945 1048
946=item ev_loop_verify (loop) 1049=item ev_verify (loop)
947 1050
948This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been 1051This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
949compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go 1052compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
950through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything 1053through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
951is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard 1054is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
962 1065
963In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the 1066In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
964watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer 1067watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
965watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers. 1068watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
966 1069
967A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 1070A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
968interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 1071your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
969become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 1072to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
1073for that:
970 1074
971 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1075 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
972 { 1076 {
973 ev_io_stop (w); 1077 ev_io_stop (w);
974 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1078 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
975 } 1079 }
976 1080
977 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 1081 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
978 1082
979 ev_io stdin_watcher; 1083 ev_io stdin_watcher;
980 1084
981 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 1085 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
982 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1086 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
983 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 1087 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
984 1088
985 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1089 ev_run (loop, 0);
986 1090
987As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 1091As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
988watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the 1092watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
989stack). 1093stack).
990 1094
991Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE> 1095Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
992or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs). 1096or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
993 1097
994Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1098Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
995(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1099*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
996callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O 1100invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
997watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1101time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
998is readable and/or writable). 1102and/or writable).
999 1103
1000Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >> 1104Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
1001macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There 1105macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
1002is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< 1106is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
1003ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1107ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
1026=item C<EV_WRITE> 1130=item C<EV_WRITE>
1027 1131
1028The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or 1132The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
1029writable. 1133writable.
1030 1134
1031=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> 1135=item C<EV_TIMER>
1032 1136
1033The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out. 1137The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
1034 1138
1035=item C<EV_PERIODIC> 1139=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
1036 1140
1054 1158
1055=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1159=item C<EV_PREPARE>
1056 1160
1057=item C<EV_CHECK> 1161=item C<EV_CHECK>
1058 1162
1059All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts 1163All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts
1060to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1164to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after
1061C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1165C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any
1062received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1166received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
1063many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1167many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
1064(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1168(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
1065C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1169C<ev_run> from blocking).
1066 1170
1067=item C<EV_EMBED> 1171=item C<EV_EMBED>
1068 1172
1069The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1173The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1070 1174
1071=item C<EV_FORK> 1175=item C<EV_FORK>
1072 1176
1073The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 1177The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
1074C<ev_fork>). 1178C<ev_fork>).
1179
1180=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
1181
1182The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
1075 1183
1076=item C<EV_ASYNC> 1184=item C<EV_ASYNC>
1077 1185
1078The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 1186The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1079 1187
1126 1234
1127 ev_io w; 1235 ev_io w;
1128 ev_init (&w, my_cb); 1236 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
1129 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1237 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1130 1238
1131=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1239=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
1132 1240
1133This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1241This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
1134call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1242call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
1135call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1243call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
1136macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1244macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
1149 1257
1150Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step. 1258Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
1151 1259
1152 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1260 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1153 1261
1154=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1262=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1155 1263
1156Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1264Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
1157events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1265events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
1158 1266
1159Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this 1267Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1160whole section. 1268whole section.
1161 1269
1162 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w); 1270 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1163 1271
1164=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1272=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1165 1273
1166Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether 1274Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1167the watcher was active or not). 1275the watcher was active or not).
1168 1276
1169It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example, 1277It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
1194=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1302=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1195 1303
1196Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1304Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1197(modulo threads). 1305(modulo threads).
1198 1306
1199=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1307=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1200 1308
1201=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1309=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1202 1310
1203Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1311Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1204integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1312integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1236watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1344watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1237 1345
1238Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its 1346Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1239callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function. 1347callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1240 1348
1241=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents) 1349=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1242 1350
1243Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event 1351Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1244had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an 1352had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1245initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must 1353initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1246not free the watcher as long as it has pending events. 1354not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1252See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related 1360See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1253functions that do not need a watcher. 1361functions that do not need a watcher.
1254 1362
1255=back 1363=back
1256 1364
1365See also the L<ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L<BUILDING YOUR
1366OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1257 1367
1258=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1368=head2 WATCHER STATES
1259 1369
1260Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1370There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1261and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1371active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1262to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1372transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1263don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1373rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1264member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1265data:
1266 1374
1267 struct my_io 1375=over 4
1268 {
1269 ev_io io;
1270 int otherfd;
1271 void *somedata;
1272 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1273 };
1274 1376
1275 ... 1377=item initialiased
1276 struct my_io w;
1277 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1278 1378
1279And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1379Before a watcher can be registered with the event looop it has to be
1280can cast it back to your own type: 1380initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1381C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1281 1382
1282 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents) 1383In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for use
1283 { 1384in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at will.
1284 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
1285 ...
1286 }
1287 1385
1288More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1386=item started/running/active
1289instead have been omitted.
1290 1387
1291Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple 1388Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1292embedded watchers: 1389property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1390this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
1391freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
1392and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
1293 1393
1294 struct my_biggy 1394=item pending
1295 {
1296 int some_data;
1297 ev_timer t1;
1298 ev_timer t2;
1299 }
1300 1395
1301In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more 1396If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
1302complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct 1397in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
1303in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use 1398stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
1304some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real 1399about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
1305programmers): 1400callback.
1306 1401
1307 #include <stddef.h> 1402The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
1403an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
1404is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
1405but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
1406moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
1407previous item still apply.
1308 1408
1309 static void 1409It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
1310 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1410via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
1311 { 1411active.
1312 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1313 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1314 }
1315 1412
1316 static void 1413=item stopped
1317 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1414
1318 { 1415A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
1319 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *) 1416be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
1320 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1417latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1321 } 1418of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1419freeing it is often a good idea.
1420
1421While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1422initialised state, that is it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1423you wish.
1424
1425=back
1322 1426
1323=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS 1427=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1324 1428
1325Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small 1429Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1326integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation 1430integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1369 1473
1370For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities, 1474For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1371you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in 1475you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1372the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real 1476the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1373processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to 1477processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1374continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when 1478continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1375the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is 1479the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1376workable. 1480workable.
1377 1481
1378Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform 1482Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1379miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case, 1483miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1393 { 1497 {
1394 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but 1498 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1395 // are not yet ready to handle it. 1499 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1396 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 1500 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1397 1501
1398 // start the idle watcher to ahndle the actual event. 1502 // start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
1399 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers 1503 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1400 // with the default priority are receiving events. 1504 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1401 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle); 1505 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1402 } 1506 }
1403 1507
1453In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1557In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1454fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1558fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1455descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1559descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1456required if you know what you are doing). 1560required if you know what you are doing).
1457 1561
1458If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1459known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1460C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1461descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1462files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
1463
1464Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1562Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1465receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1563receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1466be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1564be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1467because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1565because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1468lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1566with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1469this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1567use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1470it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1471C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1568preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1472 1569
1473If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should 1570If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1474not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately 1571not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1475re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good 1572re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1476interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already 1573interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1477does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally 1574this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1478use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block 1575use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1479indefinitely. 1576indefinitely.
1480 1577
1481But really, best use non-blocking mode. 1578But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1482 1579
1510 1607
1511There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1608There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1512for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1609for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1513C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1610C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1514 1611
1612=head3 The special problem of files
1613
1614Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1615representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1616doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1617
1618However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1619notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1620there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1621always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1622write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1623
1624Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1625devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1626on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1627will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1628wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1629
1630Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1631mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1632to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1633convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1634usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1635(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1636F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1637asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1638it "just works" instead of freezing.
1639
1640So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1641libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1642when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1643reuse the same code path.
1644
1515=head3 The special problem of fork 1645=head3 The special problem of fork
1516 1646
1517Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1647Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1518useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1648useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1519it in the child. 1649it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the child.
1520 1650
1521To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1651To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1522C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1652()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1523enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1653C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1524C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1525 1654
1526=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1655=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1527 1656
1528While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>: 1657While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1529when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets 1658when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1532 1661
1533So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you 1662So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1534ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon 1663ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1535somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue). 1664somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1536 1665
1666=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
1667
1668Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
1669found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
1670connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
1671
1672For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
1673of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
1674rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
1675the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
1676typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
1677
1678Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
1679operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
1680situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
1681cope with overload is known (to me).
1682
1683One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
1684- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
1685situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
1686event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
1687
1688A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
1689C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
1690messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
1691what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
1692the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
1693usage.
1694
1695If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
1696descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
1697when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
1698close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
1699clients under typical overload conditions.
1700
1701The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
1702is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
1703opportunity for a DoS attack.
1537 1704
1538=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1705=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1539 1706
1540=over 4 1707=over 4
1541 1708
1573 ... 1740 ...
1574 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1741 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1575 ev_io stdin_readable; 1742 ev_io stdin_readable;
1576 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1743 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1577 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1744 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1578 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1745 ev_run (loop, 0);
1579 1746
1580 1747
1581=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1748=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1582 1749
1583Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1750Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1592The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1759The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1593passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this 1760passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1594might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the 1761might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the
1595same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked 1762same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked
1596before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is 1763before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is
1597no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively). 1764no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1598 1765
1599=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1766=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1600 1767
1601Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1768Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1602recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1769recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1688 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.; 1855 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.;
1689 1856
1690 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out 1857 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out
1691 if (timeout < now) 1858 if (timeout < now)
1692 { 1859 {
1693 // timeout occured, take action 1860 // timeout occurred, take action
1694 } 1861 }
1695 else 1862 else
1696 { 1863 {
1697 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1864 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm
1698 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1865 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is
1720to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 1887to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the
1721callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 1888callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer:
1722 1889
1723 ev_init (timer, callback); 1890 ev_init (timer, callback);
1724 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 1891 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1725 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT); 1892 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMER);
1726 1893
1727And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 1894And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1728C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 1895C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1729 1896
1730 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop); 1897 last_activity = ev_now (loop);
1731 1898
1732This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the 1899This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1733time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient. 1900time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1734 1901
1735Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the 1902Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1773 1940
1774=head3 The special problem of time updates 1941=head3 The special problem of time updates
1775 1942
1776Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 1943Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at
1777least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 1944least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1778time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a 1945time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1779growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 1946growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1780lots of events in one iteration. 1947lots of events in one iteration.
1781 1948
1782The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 1949The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1783time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 1950time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1854C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2021C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
1855 2022
1856This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a 2023This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1857usage example. 2024usage example.
1858 2025
1859=item ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *) 2026=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1860 2027
1861Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active, 2028Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1862then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's 2029then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1863the timeout value currently configured. 2030the timeout value currently configured.
1864 2031
1865That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns 2032That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1866C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remain> 2033C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
1867will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return 2034will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
1868roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time, 2035roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
1869too), and so on. 2036too), and so on.
1870 2037
1871=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 2038=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1900 } 2067 }
1901 2068
1902 ev_timer mytimer; 2069 ev_timer mytimer;
1903 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 2070 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1904 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 2071 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1905 ev_loop (loop, 0); 2072 ev_run (loop, 0);
1906 2073
1907 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 2074 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1908 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 2075 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1909 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 2076 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1910 2077
1936 2103
1937As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the 2104As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1938point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple 2105point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1939timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with 2106timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
1940earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values 2107earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
1941(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively). 2108(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1942 2109
1943=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2110=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1944 2111
1945=over 4 2112=over 4
1946 2113
2074Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2241Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
2075system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2242system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
2076potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability. 2243potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
2077 2244
2078 static void 2245 static void
2079 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2246 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
2080 { 2247 {
2081 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2248 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
2082 } 2249 }
2083 2250
2084 ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2251 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
2107 2274
2108=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2275=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2109 2276
2110Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2277Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2111signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2278signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
2112will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2279will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
2113normal event processing, like any other event. 2280normal event processing, like any other event.
2114 2281
2115If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use 2282If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2116C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing 2283C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2117the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to 2284the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2131C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should 2298C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2132not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting 2299not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2133interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher 2300interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2134and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 2301and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2135 2302
2136=head3 The special problem of inheritance over execve 2303=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2137 2304
2138Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition 2305Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2139(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after 2306(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2140stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal, 2307stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2141and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler. 2308and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2309see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2142 2310
2143While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never 2311While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2144sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on 2312sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2145C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect 2313C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2146certain signals to be blocked. 2314certain signals to be blocked.
2151 2319
2152The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is 2320The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2153to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will 2321to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2154catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well. 2322catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2155 2323
2156In current versions of libev, you can also ensure that the signal mask is 2324In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2157not blocking any signals (except temporarily, so thread users watch out) 2325unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2158by specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGFD> when creating the event loop. This 2326the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2159is not guaranteed for future versions, however. 2327I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2328
2329So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2330you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2331is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2332
2333=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2334
2335POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2336a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2337threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2338
2339When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2340for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2341all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2342sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2343loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2344these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2345in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
2160 2346
2161=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2347=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2162 2348
2163=over 4 2349=over 4
2164 2350
2180Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT. 2366Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
2181 2367
2182 static void 2368 static void
2183 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents) 2369 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
2184 { 2370 {
2185 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2371 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
2186 } 2372 }
2187 2373
2188 ev_signal signal_watcher; 2374 ev_signal signal_watcher;
2189 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2375 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
2190 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher); 2376 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
2576 2762
2577Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 2763Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs:
2578prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2764prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2579afterwards. 2765afterwards.
2580 2766
2581You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2767You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
2582the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2768the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
2583watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 2769watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
2584rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 2770rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
2585those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2771those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
2586C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2772C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
2754 2940
2755 if (timeout >= 0) 2941 if (timeout >= 0)
2756 // create/start timer 2942 // create/start timer
2757 2943
2758 // poll 2944 // poll
2759 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 2945 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2760 2946
2761 // stop timer again 2947 // stop timer again
2762 if (timeout >= 0) 2948 if (timeout >= 0)
2763 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 2949 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2764 2950
2842if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 3028if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2843 3029
2844=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 3030=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2845 3031
2846Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 3032Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2847similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 3033similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2848appropriate way for embedded loops. 3034appropriate way for embedded loops.
2849 3035
2850=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 3036=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2851 3037
2852The embedded event loop. 3038The embedded event loop.
2912C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 3098C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2913handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 3099handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2914 3100
2915=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible? 3101=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
2916 3102
2917Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste 3103Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
2918up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This 3104up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
2919sequence should be handled by libev without any problems. 3105sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
2920 3106
2921This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling 3107This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
2922in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the 3108in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
2938disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support 3124disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
2939signal watchers). 3125signal watchers).
2940 3126
2941When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for 3127When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
2942other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call 3128other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
2943C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying 3129C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
2944the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you 3130Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
2945have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note 3131watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
2946also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers. 3132those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
3133signal watchers.
2947 3134
2948=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3135=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2949 3136
2950=over 4 3137=over 4
2951 3138
2952=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3139=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
2953 3140
2954Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 3141Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2955kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3142kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2956believe me. 3143really.
2957 3144
2958=back 3145=back
2959 3146
2960 3147
3148=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
3149
3150Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
3151by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
3152
3153While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
3154watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
3155program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
3156loop when you want them to be invoked.
3157
3158Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
3159all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
3160makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
3161can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
3162
3163=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3164
3165=over 4
3166
3167=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
3168
3169Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
3170any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
3171pointless, I assure you.
3172
3173=back
3174
3175Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
3176cleanup functions are called.
3177
3178 static void
3179 program_exits (void)
3180 {
3181 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
3182 }
3183
3184 ...
3185 atexit (program_exits);
3186
3187
2961=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop 3188=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2962 3189
2963In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other 3190In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other
2964asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3191asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2965loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3192loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2966 3193
2967Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not 3194Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2968control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what 3195for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2969C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you 3196watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2970can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal 3197it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2971safe.
2972 3198
2973This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3199This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2974too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3200too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2975(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3201(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2976C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3202C<ev_async_sent> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
3203of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
3204signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
3205even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
2977 3206
2978Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3207Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not
2979just the default loop. 3208just the default loop.
2980 3209
2981=head3 Queueing 3210=head3 Queueing
2982 3211
2983C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3212C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2984is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3213is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2985multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 3214multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2986need elaborate support such as pthreads. 3215need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
3216semantics.
2987 3217
2988That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 3218That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2989queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your 3219queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2990queue: 3220queue:
2991 3221
3130 3360
3131If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3361If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
3132started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3362started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
3133repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout. 3363repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
3134 3364
3135The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3365The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
3136passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3366passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
3137C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3367C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
3138value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both> 3368value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
3139a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io 3369a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
3140events precedence. 3370events precedence.
3141 3371
3142Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO. 3372Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
3143 3373
3144 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3374 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
3145 { 3375 {
3146 if (revents & EV_READ) 3376 if (revents & EV_READ)
3147 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 3377 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
3148 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 3378 else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
3149 /* doh, nothing entered */; 3379 /* doh, nothing entered */;
3150 } 3380 }
3151 3381
3152 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3382 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3153 3383
3154=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3384=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3155 3385
3156Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3386Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3157the given events it. 3387the given events it.
3158 3388
3159=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3389=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3160 3390
3161Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3391Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3162loop!). 3392which is async-safe.
3163 3393
3164=back 3394=back
3395
3396
3397=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3398
3399This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3400obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3401section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3402
3403=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3404
3405Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3406or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3407to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3408don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3409data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3410data:
3411
3412 struct my_io
3413 {
3414 ev_io io;
3415 int otherfd;
3416 void *somedata;
3417 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3418 };
3419
3420 ...
3421 struct my_io w;
3422 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3423
3424And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3425can cast it back to your own type:
3426
3427 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3428 {
3429 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3430 ...
3431 }
3432
3433More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3434function type instead have been omitted.
3435
3436=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3437
3438Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3439embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3440multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3441
3442 struct my_biggy
3443 {
3444 int some_data;
3445 ev_timer t1;
3446 ev_timer t2;
3447 }
3448
3449In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3450complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3451the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3452to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3453real programmers):
3454
3455 #include <stddef.h>
3456
3457 static void
3458 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3459 {
3460 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3461 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3462 }
3463
3464 static void
3465 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3466 {
3467 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3468 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3469 }
3470
3471=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3472
3473Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3474I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3475invoking C<ev_run>.
3476
3477This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3478main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3479a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3480and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3481other combination: In these cases, C<ev_break> will not work alone.
3482
3483The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3484invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3485triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3486
3487 // main loop
3488 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3489
3490 while (!exit_main_loop)
3491 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3492
3493 // in a model watcher
3494 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3495
3496 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3497 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3498
3499To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3500
3501 // exit modal loop
3502 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3503
3504 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3505 exit_main_loop = 1;
3506
3507 // exit both
3508 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3509
3510=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3511
3512Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3513thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3514created/added/removed.
3515
3516For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3517which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3518languages).
3519
3520The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3521variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3522event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3523
3524First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3525
3526 typedef struct {
3527 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3528 ev_async async_w;
3529 thread_t tid;
3530 cond_t invoke_cv;
3531 } userdata;
3532
3533 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3534 {
3535 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3536 static userdata u;
3537
3538 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
3539 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3540
3541 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
3542 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
3543
3544 // now associate this with the loop
3545 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3546 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3547 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3548
3549 // then create the thread running ev_loop
3550 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3551 }
3552
3553The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3554solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3555that might have been added:
3556
3557 static void
3558 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3559 {
3560 // just used for the side effects
3561 }
3562
3563The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3564protecting the loop data, respectively.
3565
3566 static void
3567 l_release (EV_P)
3568 {
3569 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3570 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3571 }
3572
3573 static void
3574 l_acquire (EV_P)
3575 {
3576 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3577 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3578 }
3579
3580The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3581into C<ev_run>:
3582
3583 void *
3584 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3585 {
3586 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3587
3588 l_acquire (EV_A);
3589 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3590 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3591 l_release (EV_A);
3592
3593 return 0;
3594 }
3595
3596Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3597signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3598writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3599have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3600and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3601watchers is very beneficial):
3602
3603 static void
3604 l_invoke (EV_P)
3605 {
3606 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3607
3608 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3609 {
3610 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3611 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3612 }
3613 }
3614
3615Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3616will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3617thread to continue:
3618
3619 static void
3620 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3621 {
3622 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3623
3624 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3625 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3626 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3627 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3628 }
3629
3630Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3631event loop, you will now have to lock:
3632
3633 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3634 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3635
3636 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3637
3638 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3639 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3640 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3641 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3642
3643Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3644an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3645about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3646watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3647
3648=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
3649
3650While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
3651is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
3652kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
3653doesn't need callbacks anymore.
3654
3655Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
3656C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
3657and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
3658global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
3659event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
3660the differing C<;> conventions):
3661
3662 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3663 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
3664
3665That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
3666coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
3667your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
3668
3669A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
3670C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
3671matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
3672called):
3673
3674 void
3675 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
3676 {
3677 ev_cb_set (w) = current_coro;
3678 switch_to (libev_coro);
3679 }
3680
3681That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
3682continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
3683this or any other coroutine. I am sure if you sue this your own :)
3684
3685You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
3686instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
3687switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
3688any waiters.
3689
3690To embed libev, see L<EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
3691files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
3692
3693 // my_ev.h
3694 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3695 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb);
3696 #include "../libev/ev.h"
3697
3698 // my_ev.c
3699 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
3700 #include "../libev/ev.c"
3701
3702And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
3703F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
3704can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
3165 3705
3166 3706
3167=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 3707=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
3168 3708
3169Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 3709Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
3170emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 3710emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
3171 3711
3172=over 4 3712=over 4
3713
3714=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
3715
3716This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
3717and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
3173 3718
3174=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 3719=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
3175 3720
3176=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 3721=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
3177ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 3722ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
3183=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 3728=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
3184will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 3729will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
3185is an ev_pri field. 3730is an ev_pri field.
3186 3731
3187=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 3732=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3188first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 3733base that registered the signal gets the signals.
3189 3734
3190=item * Other members are not supported. 3735=item * Other members are not supported.
3191 3736
3192=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 3737=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
3193to use the libev header file and library. 3738to use the libev header file and library.
3212Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 3757Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
3213classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 3758classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3214that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 3759that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3215you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 3760you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3216 3761
3217Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 3762Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
3218used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 3763with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3219need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 3764to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3220types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 3765you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3221it). 3766(preferably after implementing it).
3222 3767
3223Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3768Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3224 3769
3225=over 4 3770=over 4
3226 3771
3244 3789
3245=over 4 3790=over 4
3246 3791
3247=item ev::TYPE::TYPE () 3792=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
3248 3793
3249=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *) 3794=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
3250 3795
3251=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 3796=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
3252 3797
3253The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher 3798The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
3254with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>. 3799with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
3287 myclass obj; 3832 myclass obj;
3288 ev::io iow; 3833 ev::io iow;
3289 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 3834 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
3290 3835
3291=item w->set (object *) 3836=item w->set (object *)
3292
3293This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
3294 3837
3295This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call 3838This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
3296will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use 3839will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
3297functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all 3840functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
3298the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument 3841the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
3331Example: Use a plain function as callback. 3874Example: Use a plain function as callback.
3332 3875
3333 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 3876 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3334 iow.set <io_cb> (); 3877 iow.set <io_cb> ();
3335 3878
3336=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 3879=item w->set (loop)
3337 3880
3338Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 3881Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
3339do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 3882do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
3340 3883
3341=item w->set ([arguments]) 3884=item w->set ([arguments])
3342 3885
3343Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be 3886Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
3344called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 3887method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
3345automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 3888C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
3346method. 3889when reconfiguring it with this method.
3347 3890
3348=item w->start () 3891=item w->start ()
3349 3892
3350Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the 3893Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
3351constructor already stores the event loop. 3894constructor already stores the event loop.
3352 3895
3896=item w->start ([arguments])
3897
3898Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
3899convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
3900the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
3901
3353=item w->stop () 3902=item w->stop ()
3354 3903
3355Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 3904Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
3356 3905
3357=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only) 3906=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
3369 3918
3370=back 3919=back
3371 3920
3372=back 3921=back
3373 3922
3374Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 3923Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
3375the constructor. 3924watchers in the constructor.
3376 3925
3377 class myclass 3926 class myclass
3378 { 3927 {
3379 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 3928 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3929 ev::io2 io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3380 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 3930 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
3381 3931
3382 myclass (int fd) 3932 myclass (int fd)
3383 { 3933 {
3384 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 3934 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
3935 io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
3385 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 3936 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
3386 3937
3387 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 3938 io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
3939 io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
3940
3941 io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
3388 } 3942 }
3389 }; 3943 };
3390 3944
3391 3945
3392=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS 3946=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
3440Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at 3994Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3441L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>. 3995L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3442 3996
3443=item Lua 3997=item Lua
3444 3998
3445Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev 3999Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3446for lua (only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at 4000time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3447L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>. 4001L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
3448 4002
3449=back 4003=back
3450 4004
3451 4005
3466loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 4020loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
3467C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 4021C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
3468 4022
3469 ev_unref (EV_A); 4023 ev_unref (EV_A);
3470 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 4024 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
3471 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 4025 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3472 4026
3473It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 4027It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
3474which is often provided by the following macro. 4028which is often provided by the following macro.
3475 4029
3476=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 4030=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
3516 } 4070 }
3517 4071
3518 ev_check check; 4072 ev_check check;
3519 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 4073 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
3520 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 4074 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
3521 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 4075 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
3522 4076
3523=head1 EMBEDDING 4077=head1 EMBEDDING
3524 4078
3525Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 4079Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
3526applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 4080applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
3606 libev.m4 4160 libev.m4
3607 4161
3608=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 4162=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
3609 4163
3610Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to 4164Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
3611define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of 4165define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
3612autoconf is documented for every option. 4166the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
4167
4168Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
4169values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
4170to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
4171to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
4172users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
4173settings.
3613 4174
3614=over 4 4175=over 4
3615 4176
4177=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
4178
4179Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
4180release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
4181have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
4182
4183You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
4184versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
4185sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
4186from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
4187typedef in that case.
4188
4189In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
4190and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
4191removed completely.
4192
3616=item EV_STANDALONE 4193=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
3617 4194
3618Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 4195Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
3619keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 4196keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3620implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 4197implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3621supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4198supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3771as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4348as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers.
3772 4349
3773In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4350In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3774(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4351(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3775 4352
3776=item EV_H 4353=item EV_H (h)
3777 4354
3778The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 4355The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
3779undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 4356undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
3780used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 4357used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
3781 4358
3782=item EV_CONFIG_H 4359=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
3783 4360
3784If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 4361If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
3785F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 4362F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
3786C<EV_H>, above. 4363C<EV_H>, above.
3787 4364
3788=item EV_EVENT_H 4365=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
3789 4366
3790Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 4367Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
3791of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">. 4368of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
3792 4369
3793=item EV_PROTOTYPES 4370=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
3794 4371
3795If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 4372If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3796prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 4373prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3797occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions 4374occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3798around libev functions. 4375around libev functions.
3820fine. 4397fine.
3821 4398
3822If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these 4399If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3823both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU. 4400both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3824 4401
3825=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 4402=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
4403EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
4404EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3826 4405
3827If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 4406If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3828defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 4407the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3829code. 4408is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3830 4409
3831=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE 4410=item EV_FEATURES
3832
3833If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3834defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3835code.
3836
3837=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3838
3839If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3840defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3841watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3842
3843=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3844
3845If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3846defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3847
3848=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3849
3850If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3851defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3852
3853=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3854
3855If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3856defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3857
3858=item EV_MINIMAL
3859 4411
3860If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 4412If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3861speed (but with the full API), define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this 4413speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3862is used to override some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size 4414certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3863on amd64. It also selects a much smaller 2-heap for timer management over 4415that can be enabled on the platform.
3864the default 4-heap.
3865 4416
3866You can save even more by disabling watcher types you do not need 4417A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
3867and setting C<EV_MAXPRI> == C<EV_MINPRI>. Also, disabling C<assert> 4418with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
3868(C<-DNDEBUG>) will usually reduce code size a lot. 4419additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
4420but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
4421backend, use this:
3869 4422
3870Defining C<EV_MINIMAL> to C<2> will additionally reduce the core API to 4423 #define EV_FEATURES 0
3871provide a bare-bones event library. See C<ev.h> for details on what parts 4424 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
3872of the API are still available, and do not complain if this subset changes 4425 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
3873over time. 4426 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4427 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4428
4429The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4430values:
4431
4432=over 4
4433
4434=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4435
4436Use larger code to speed up some operations.
4437
4438Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
4439code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4440
4441When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4442gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4443assertions.
4444
4445=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4446
4447Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4448hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4449and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4450runtime.
4451
4452=item C<4> - full API configuration
4453
4454This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4455enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4456
4457=item C<8> - full API
4458
4459This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
4460details on which parts of the API are still available without this
4461feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
4462
4463=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
4464
4465Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
4466only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
4467embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
4468C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
4469
4470=item C<32> - enable all backends
4471
4472This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
4473least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
4474
4475=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
4476
4477Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
4478default.
4479
4480=back
4481
4482Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
4483reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
4484code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
4485watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
4486
4487With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4488when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4489your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4490I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4491
4492=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4493
4494If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4495functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4496somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
4497libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
4498big.
4499
4500Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
4501enabled.
3874 4502
3875=item EV_NSIG 4503=item EV_NSIG
3876 4504
3877The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of 4505The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
3878signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals 4506signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
3879automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be 4507automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
3880specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be 4508specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
3881good for about any system in existance) can save some memory, as libev 4509good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
3882statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number. 4510statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3883 4511
3884=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 4512=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3885 4513
3886C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4514C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3887pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 4515pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3888than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 4516usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3889increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 4517might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3890 4518
3891=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 4519=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3892 4520
3893C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4521C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3894inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 4522inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3895usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 4523disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3896watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 4524C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3897two). 4525power of two).
3898 4526
3899=item EV_USE_4HEAP 4527=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3900 4528
3901Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4529Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3902timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined 4530timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3903to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably 4531to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3904faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers. 4532faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3905 4533
3906The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4534The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3907(disabled). 4535will be C<0>.
3908 4536
3909=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT 4537=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3910 4538
3911Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4539Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3912timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within 4540timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3913the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>), 4541the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3914which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code, 4542which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3915but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance 4543but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3916noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers. 4544noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3917 4545
3918The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4546The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3919(disabled). 4547will be C<0>.
3920 4548
3921=item EV_VERIFY 4549=item EV_VERIFY
3922 4550
3923Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will 4551Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3924be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled 4552be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3925in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not 4553in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3926called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be 4554called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3927called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the 4555called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3928verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down 4556verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3929libev considerably. 4557libev considerably.
3930 4558
3931The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be 4559The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3932C<0>. 4560will be C<0>.
3933 4561
3934=item EV_COMMON 4562=item EV_COMMON
3935 4563
3936By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 4564By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3937this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 4565this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3938members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 4566members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3939though, and it must be identical each time. 4567though, and it must be identical each time.
3940 4568
3941For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 4569For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3942 4570
3995file. 4623file.
3996 4624
3997The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 4625The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3998that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 4626that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3999 4627
4000 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 4628 #define EV_FEATURES 8
4001 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 4629 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
4002 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
4003 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 4630 #define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
4631 #define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
4004 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 4632 #define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
4005 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 4633 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4634 #define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
4006 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 4635 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
4007 #define EV_MINPRI 0
4008 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
4009 4636
4010 #include "ev++.h" 4637 #include "ev++.h"
4011 4638
4012And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 4639And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
4013 4640
4014 #include "ev_cpp.h" 4641 #include "ev_cpp.h"
4015 #include "ev.c" 4642 #include "ev.c"
4016 4643
4017=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES 4644=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
4018 4645
4019=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES 4646=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4020 4647
4021=head3 THREADS 4648=head3 THREADS
4022 4649
4073default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 4700default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4074watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 4701watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4075 4702
4076=back 4703=back
4077 4704
4078=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE 4705See also L<THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
4079
4080Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4081thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4082created/added/removed.
4083
4084For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4085which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4086languages).
4087
4088The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4089variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4090event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4091
4092First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4093
4094 typedef struct {
4095 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4096 ev_async async_w;
4097 thread_t tid;
4098 cond_t invoke_cv;
4099 } userdata;
4100
4101 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4102 {
4103 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4104 static userdata u;
4105
4106 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4107 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4108
4109 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4110 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4111
4112 // now associate this with the loop
4113 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4114 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4115 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4116
4117 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4118 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4119 }
4120
4121The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4122solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4123that might have been added:
4124
4125 static void
4126 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4127 {
4128 // just used for the side effects
4129 }
4130
4131The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4132protecting the loop data, respectively.
4133
4134 static void
4135 l_release (EV_P)
4136 {
4137 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4138 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4139 }
4140
4141 static void
4142 l_acquire (EV_P)
4143 {
4144 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4145 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4146 }
4147
4148The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4149into C<ev_loop>:
4150
4151 void *
4152 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4153 {
4154 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4155
4156 l_acquire (EV_A);
4157 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4158 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
4159 l_release (EV_A);
4160
4161 return 0;
4162 }
4163
4164Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4165signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4166writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4167have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4168and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4169watchers is very beneficial):
4170
4171 static void
4172 l_invoke (EV_P)
4173 {
4174 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4175
4176 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4177 {
4178 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4179 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4180 }
4181 }
4182
4183Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4184will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4185thread to continue:
4186
4187 static void
4188 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4189 {
4190 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4191
4192 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4193 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4194 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4195 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4196 }
4197
4198Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4199event loop, you will now have to lock:
4200
4201 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4202 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4203
4204 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4205
4206 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4207 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4208 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4209 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4210
4211Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4212an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4213about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4214watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4215 4706
4216=head3 COROUTINES 4707=head3 COROUTINES
4217 4708
4218Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 4709Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4219libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 4710libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4220coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 4711coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
4221different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running 4712different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
4222the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is 4713the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
4223that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 4714that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
4224 4715
4225Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside 4716Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
4226C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as 4717C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
4227they do not call any callbacks. 4718they do not call any callbacks.
4228 4719
4229=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS 4720=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
4230 4721
4231Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a 4722Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
4242maintainable. 4733maintainable.
4243 4734
4244And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply 4735And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
4245wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message 4736wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
4246seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some 4737seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
4247warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have 4738warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
4248been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with 4739been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
4249such buggy versions. 4740such buggy versions.
4250 4741
4251While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible, 4742While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
4252"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev 4743"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
4288I suggest using suppression lists. 4779I suggest using suppression lists.
4289 4780
4290 4781
4291=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES 4782=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
4292 4783
4784=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
4785
4786GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
4787interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
4788
4789That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
4790files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
4791
4792Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
4793by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
4794standard libev compiled for their system.
4795
4796Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
4797suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
4798i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
4799
4800=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
4801
4802The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
4803you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
4804OpenGL drivers.
4805
4806=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
4807
4808The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
4809only sockets, many support pipes.
4810
4811Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
4812rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
4813loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
4814probably going to work well.
4815
4816=head3 C<poll> is buggy
4817
4818Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
4819implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
4820release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
4821
4822Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
4823this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
4824a loop.
4825
4826=head3 C<select> is buggy
4827
4828All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
4829one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
4830descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
4831you use more.
4832
4833There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
4834C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
4835work on OS/X.
4836
4837=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
4838
4839=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
4840
4841The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
4842thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
4843without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
4844defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
4845
4846If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
4847it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
4848
4849=head3 Event port backend
4850
4851The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
4852ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
4853releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
4854a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
4855and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
4856are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
4857great.
4858
4859If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
4860the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
4861C<select> backends.
4862
4863=head2 AIX POLL BUG
4864
4865AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
4866this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
4867compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
4868with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
4869
4293=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS 4870=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
4871
4872=head3 General issues
4294 4873
4295Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev 4874Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
4296requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 4875requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4297model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 4876model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4298the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 4877the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4299descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 4878descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4300e.g. cygwin. 4879e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
4880as every compielr comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
4881environment.
4301 4882
4302Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 4883Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4303re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of 4884re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
4304things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable 4885then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
4305way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man). 4886also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
4306 4887
4307There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 4888There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
4308embedding it into other applications. 4889embedding it into other applications.
4309 4890
4310Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev 4891Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
4338you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!): 4919you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
4339 4920
4340 #include "evwrap.h" 4921 #include "evwrap.h"
4341 #include "ev.c" 4922 #include "ev.c"
4342 4923
4343=over 4
4344
4345=item The winsocket select function 4924=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
4346 4925
4347The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it 4926The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
4348requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is 4927requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
4349also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also 4928also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
4350requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft 4929requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
4359 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */ 4938 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
4360 4939
4361Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a 4940Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
4362complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32. 4941complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
4363 4942
4364=item Limited number of file descriptors 4943=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
4365 4944
4366Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. 4945Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
4367 4946
4368Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum 4947Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
4369of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels 4948of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
4384runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets 4963runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
4385(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, 4964(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
4386you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but 4965you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
4387the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 4966the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
4388 4967
4389=back
4390
4391=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS 4968=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
4392 4969
4393In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the 4970In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
4394backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions: 4971backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
4395 4972
4401Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal 4978Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
4402structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also 4979structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
4403assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher 4980assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
4404callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev 4981callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
4405calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally. 4982calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
4983
4984=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
4985
4986Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
4987writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
4406 4988
4407=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well 4989=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
4408 4990
4409The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as 4991The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
4410C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different 4992C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
4433watchers. 5015watchers.
4434 5016
4435=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy 5017=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
4436 5018
4437The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5019The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4438have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good 5020have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
4439enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by 5021good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
5022(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
4440implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing 5023implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones. With
4441ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 5024IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 2200.
44422200.
4443 5025
4444=back 5026=back
4445 5027
4446If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5028If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4447 5029
4515involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5097involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers.
4516 5098
4517=back 5099=back
4518 5100
4519 5101
5102=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
5103
5104The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
5105
5106At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
5107for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
5108layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
5109new API early than late.
5110
5111=over 4
5112
5113=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
5114
5115The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5116C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L<PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L<EMBEDDING>
5117section.
5118
5119=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5120
5121These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
5122
5123 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
5124 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
5125
5126=item function/symbol renames
5127
5128A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
5129
5130 ev_loop => ev_run
5131 EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
5132 EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
5133
5134 ev_unloop => ev_break
5135 EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
5136 EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
5137 EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
5138
5139 EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
5140
5141 ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
5142 ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
5143 ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
5144
5145Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
5146C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
5147associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
5148ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
5149as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
5150C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
5151typedef.
5152
5153=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
5154
5155The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
5156mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
5157and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
5158
5159=back
5160
5161
4520=head1 GLOSSARY 5162=head1 GLOSSARY
4521 5163
4522=over 4 5164=over 4
4523 5165
4524=item active 5166=item active
4525 5167
4526A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to 5168A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
4527an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop). 5169See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
4528 5170
4529=item application 5171=item application
4530 5172
4531In this document, an application is whatever is using libev. 5173In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
5174
5175=item backend
5176
5177The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
4532 5178
4533=item callback 5179=item callback
4534 5180
4535The address of a function that is called when some event has been 5181The address of a function that is called when some event has been
4536detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that 5182detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
4537received the event, and the actual event bitset. 5183received the event, and the actual event bitset.
4538 5184
4539=item callback invocation 5185=item callback/watcher invocation
4540 5186
4541The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher. 5187The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4542 5188
4543=item event 5189=item event
4544 5190
4545A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available 5191A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
4546for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having 5192for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
4547any other events happening anymore. 5193any other events happening anymore.
4548 5194
4549In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or 5195In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
4550C<EV_TIMEOUT>). 5196C<EV_TIMER>).
4551 5197
4552=item event library 5198=item event library
4553 5199
4554A software package implementing an event model and loop. 5200A software package implementing an event model and loop.
4555 5201
4563The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes 5209The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
4564watchers and events. 5210watchers and events.
4565 5211
4566=item pending 5212=item pending
4567 5213
4568A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected, 5214A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
4569and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its 5215detected. See L<WATCHER STATES> for details.
4570pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
4571
4572A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
4573its pending status.
4574 5216
4575=item real time 5217=item real time
4576 5218
4577The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :) 5219The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
4578 5220
4585=item watcher 5227=item watcher
4586 5228
4587A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need 5229A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
4588to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events. 5230to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
4589 5231
4590=item watcher invocation
4591
4592The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4593
4594=back 5232=back
4595 5233
4596=head1 AUTHOR 5234=head1 AUTHOR
4597 5235
4598Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson. 5236Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5237Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta.
4599 5238

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