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Revision 1.361 by root, Sun Jan 23 18:53:06 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.369 by root, Mon May 30 18:34:28 2011 UTC

58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59 59
60 // now wait for events to arrive 60 // now wait for events to arrive
61 ev_run (loop, 0); 61 ev_run (loop, 0);
62 62
63 // unloop was called, so exit 63 // break was called, so exit
64 return 0; 64 return 0;
65 } 65 }
66 66
67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68 68
483=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 483=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
484 484
485Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9 485Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
486kernels). 486kernels).
487 487
488For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 488For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
489but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 489it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
490like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 490O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
491epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). 491fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
492 492
493The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned 493The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
494of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently 494of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
495dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file 495dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
496descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup, 496descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
825This 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
826with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 826with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
827own C<ev_run>"). 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
828usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 828usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
829 829
830Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does: 830Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
831understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
832future versions):
831 833
832 - Increment loop depth. 834 - Increment loop depth.
833 - Reset the ev_break status. 835 - Reset the ev_break status.
834 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 836 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
835 LOOP: 837 LOOP:
868anymore. 870anymore.
869 871
870 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 872 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
871 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 873 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
872 ev_run (my_loop, 0); 874 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
873 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 875 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
874 876
875=item ev_break (loop, how) 877=item ev_break (loop, how)
876 878
877Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it 879Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
878has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 880has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
2151 2153
2152Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2154Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
2153C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2155C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
2154time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2156time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
2155 2157
2156For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near 2158The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
2157C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2159interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
2158this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2160microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2161at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2162ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2163C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
2159 2164
2160Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2165Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
2161speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2166speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
2162will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2167will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
2163millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2168millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
3188 atexit (program_exits); 3193 atexit (program_exits);
3189 3194
3190 3195
3191=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop 3196=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
3192 3197
3193In general, you cannot use an C<ev_run> from multiple threads or other 3198In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
3194asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3199asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
3195loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3200loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
3196 3201
3197Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control, 3202Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
3198for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async> 3203for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
3308trust me. 3313trust me.
3309 3314
3310=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3315=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3311 3316
3312Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3317Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3313an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3318an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3319returns.
3320
3314C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3321Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
3315similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3322signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
3316section below on what exactly this means). 3323embedding section below on what exactly this means).
3317 3324
3318Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get 3325Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3319compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this 3326compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this
3320is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>, 3327is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>,
3321reset when the event loop detects that). 3328reset when the event loop detects that).
3547 // now associate this with the loop 3554 // now associate this with the loop
3548 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u); 3555 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3549 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke); 3556 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3550 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire); 3557 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3551 3558
3552 // then create the thread running ev_loop 3559 // then create the thread running ev_run
3553 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A); 3560 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3554 } 3561 }
3555 3562
3556The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used 3563The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3557solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers 3564solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4202F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4209F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
4203 4210
4204In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the 4211In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
4205configuration, but has to be more conservative. 4212configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4206 4213
4214=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4215
4216If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4217periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4218portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4219link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4220function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4221this.
4222
4207=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4223=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
4208 4224
4209If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4225If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
4210monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no 4226monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
4211use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, 4227use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
5222The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :) 5238The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
5223 5239
5224=item wall-clock time 5240=item wall-clock time
5225 5241
5226The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually 5242The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
5227be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your 5243be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
5228clock. 5244clock.
5229 5245
5230=item watcher 5246=item watcher
5231 5247
5232A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need 5248A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
5235=back 5251=back
5236 5252
5237=head1 AUTHOR 5253=head1 AUTHOR
5238 5254
5239Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael 5255Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5240Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta. 5256Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
5241 5257

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