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Revision 1.79 by root, Sun Dec 9 19:46:56 2007 UTC

4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 #include <ev.h> 7 #include <ev.h>
8 8
9=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10
11 #include <ev.h>
12
13 ev_io stdin_watcher;
14 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
15
16 /* called when data readable on stdin */
17 static void
18 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents)
19 {
20 /* puts ("stdin ready"); */
21 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); /* just a syntax example */
22 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); /* leave all loop calls */
23 }
24
25 static void
26 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
27 {
28 /* puts ("timeout"); */
29 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); /* leave one loop call */
30 }
31
32 int
33 main (void)
34 {
35 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
36
37 /* initialise an io watcher, then start it */
38 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
39 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
40
41 /* simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout */
42 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
43 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
44
45 /* loop till timeout or data ready */
46 ev_loop (loop, 0);
47
48 return 0;
49 }
50
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 51=head1 DESCRIPTION
52
53The newest version of this document is also available as a html-formatted
54web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
55time: L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.html>.
10 56
11Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 57Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
12file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage 58file descriptor being readable or a timeout occuring), and it will manage
13these event sources and provide your program with events. 59these event sources and provide your program with events.
14 60
21details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 67details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
22watcher. 68watcher.
23 69
24=head1 FEATURES 70=head1 FEATURES
25 71
26Libev supports select, poll, the linux-specific epoll and the bsd-specific 72Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
27kqueue mechanisms for file descriptor events, relative timers, absolute 73BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
28timers with customised rescheduling, signal events, process status change 74for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
29events (related to SIGCHLD), and event watchers dealing with the event 75(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers
30loop mechanism itself (idle, prepare and check watchers). It also is quite 76with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals
77(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event
78watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>,
79C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as
80file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events
81(C<ev_fork>).
82
83It also is quite fast (see this
31fast (see this L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing 84L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
32it to libevent for example). 85for example).
33 86
34=head1 CONVENTIONS 87=head1 CONVENTIONS
35 88
36Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration 89Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default configuration will
37will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info 90be described, which supports multiple event loops. For more info about
38about various configuration options please have a look at the file 91various configuration options please have a look at B<EMBED> section in
39F<README.embed> in the libev distribution. If libev was configured without 92this manual. If libev was configured without support for multiple event
40support for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial 93loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of name C<loop>
41argument of name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) 94(which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have this argument.
42will not have this argument.
43 95
44=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION 96=head1 TIME REPRESENTATION
45 97
46Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 98Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the
47(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 99(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near
48the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 100the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is
49called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 101called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases
50to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 102to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on
51it, you should treat it as such. 103it, you should treat it as such.
52 104
53
54=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 105=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
55 106
56These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 107These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
57library in any way. 108library in any way.
58 109
66 117
67=item int ev_version_major () 118=item int ev_version_major ()
68 119
69=item int ev_version_minor () 120=item int ev_version_minor ()
70 121
71You can find out the major and minor version numbers of the library 122You can find out the major and minor API/ABI version numbers of the library
72you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and 123you linked against by calling the functions C<ev_version_major> and
73C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global 124C<ev_version_minor>. If you want, you can compare against the global
74symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the 125symbols C<EV_VERSION_MAJOR> and C<EV_VERSION_MINOR>, which specify the
75version of the library your program was compiled against. 126version of the library your program was compiled against.
76 127
128These version numbers refer to the API and ABI version of the library, not
129the release version.
130
77Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch, 131Usually, it's a good idea to terminate if the major versions mismatch,
78as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 132as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
79compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 133compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
80not a problem. 134not a problem.
81 135
82Example: make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 136Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
83version: 137version.
84 138
85 assert (("libev version mismatch", 139 assert (("libev version mismatch",
86 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 140 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
87 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 141 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
88 142
118 172
119See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 173See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
120 174
121=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 175=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size))
122 176
123Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar to the 177Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
124realloc C function, the semantics are identical). It is used to allocate 178semantics is identical - to the realloc C function). It is used to
125and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when memory 179allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero when
126needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some potentially 180memory needs to be allocated, the library might abort or take some
127destructive action. The default is your system realloc function. 181potentially destructive action. The default is your system realloc
182function.
128 183
129You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 184You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
130free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 185free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
131or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 186or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
132 187
133Example: replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 188Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
134retries: better than mine). 189retries).
135 190
136 static void * 191 static void *
137 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, long size) 192 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
138 { 193 {
139 for (;;) 194 for (;;)
140 { 195 {
141 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 196 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
142 197
158callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no 213callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the sitution, no
159matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the 214matter what, when it returns. That is, libev will generally retry the
160requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff 215requested operation, or, if the condition doesn't go away, do bad stuff
161(such as abort). 216(such as abort).
162 217
163Example: do the same thing as libev does internally: 218Example: This is basically the same thing that libev does internally, too.
164 219
165 static void 220 static void
166 fatal_error (const char *msg) 221 fatal_error (const char *msg)
167 { 222 {
168 perror (msg); 223 perror (msg);
218C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 273C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
219override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 274override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
220useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 275useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
221around bugs. 276around bugs.
222 277
278=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
279
280Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after
281a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by
282enabling this flag.
283
284This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
285and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
286iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
287Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
288without a syscall and thus I<very> fast, but my Linux system also has
289C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
290
291The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
292forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this
293flag.
294
295This flag setting cannot be overriden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
296environment variable.
297
223=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 298=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
224 299
225This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 300This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
226libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 301libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
227but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 302but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
314Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is 389Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
315always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot 390always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
316handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by 391handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
317undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled). 392undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
318 393
319Example: try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 394Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
320 395
321 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 396 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
322 if (!epoller) 397 if (!epoller)
323 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 398 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
324 399
362 437
363Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by 438Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
364C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop 439C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
365after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem. 440after fork, and how you do this is entirely your own problem.
366 441
442=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop)
443
444Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to
445the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and
446happily wraps around with enough iterations.
447
448This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
449"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
450C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls.
451
367=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 452=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
368 453
369Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 454Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
370use. 455use.
371 456
404libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 489libev watchers. However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
405usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 490usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
406 491
407Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 492Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does:
408 493
494 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
409 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return. 495 * If there are no active watchers (reference count is zero), return.
410 - Queue prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers. 496 - Queue all prepare watchers and then call all outstanding watchers.
411 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state. 497 - If we have been forked, recreate the kernel state.
412 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 498 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
413 - Update the "event loop time". 499 - Update the "event loop time".
414 - Calculate for how long to block. 500 - Calculate for how long to block.
415 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 501 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
423 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 509 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
424 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 510 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
425 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 511 - If ev_unloop has been called or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK
426 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *. 512 were used, return, otherwise continue with step *.
427 513
428Example: queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding 514Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outsanding
429anymore. 515anymore.
430 516
431 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 517 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
432 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 518 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
433 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 519 ev_loop (my_loop, 0);
453visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if 539visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting if
454no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 540no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent
455way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 541way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party
456libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>. 542libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop>.
457 543
458Example: create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 544Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop>
459running when nothing else is active. 545running when nothing else is active.
460 546
461 struct dv_signal exitsig; 547 struct ev_signal exitsig;
462 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 548 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
463 ev_signal_start (myloop, &exitsig); 549 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
464 evf_unref (myloop); 550 evf_unref (loop);
465 551
466Example: for some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 552Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
467 553
468 ev_ref (myloop); 554 ev_ref (loop);
469 ev_signal_stop (myloop, &exitsig); 555 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
470 556
471=back 557=back
558
472 559
473=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 560=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
474 561
475A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 562A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your
476interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 563interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to
543The signal specified in the C<ev_signal> watcher has been received by a thread. 630The signal specified in the C<ev_signal> watcher has been received by a thread.
544 631
545=item C<EV_CHILD> 632=item C<EV_CHILD>
546 633
547The pid specified in the C<ev_child> watcher has received a status change. 634The pid specified in the C<ev_child> watcher has received a status change.
635
636=item C<EV_STAT>
637
638The path specified in the C<ev_stat> watcher changed its attributes somehow.
548 639
549=item C<EV_IDLE> 640=item C<EV_IDLE>
550 641
551The C<ev_idle> watcher has determined that you have nothing better to do. 642The C<ev_idle> watcher has determined that you have nothing better to do.
552 643
560received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 651received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as
561many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 652many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account
562(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 653(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep
563C<ev_loop> from blocking). 654C<ev_loop> from blocking).
564 655
656=item C<EV_EMBED>
657
658The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
659
660=item C<EV_FORK>
661
662The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
663C<ev_fork>).
664
565=item C<EV_ERROR> 665=item C<EV_ERROR>
566 666
567An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might 667An unspecified error has occured, the watcher has been stopped. This might
568happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 668happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
569ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 669ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
576with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded 676with the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multithreaded
577programs, though, so beware. 677programs, though, so beware.
578 678
579=back 679=back
580 680
581=head2 SUMMARY OF GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 681=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
582 682
583In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type, 683In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
584e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers. 684e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
585 685
586=over 4 686=over 4
595which rolls both calls into one. 695which rolls both calls into one.
596 696
597You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 697You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
598(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 698(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
599 699
600The callbakc is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 700The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
601int revents)>. 701int revents)>.
602 702
603=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 703=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args])
604 704
605This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 705This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
640=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher) 740=item bool ev_is_pending (ev_TYPE *watcher)
641 741
642Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding 742Returns a true value iff the watcher is pending, (i.e. it has outstanding
643events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher 743events but its callback has not yet been invoked). As long as a watcher
644is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but 744is pending (but not active) you must not call an init function on it (but
645C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe) and you must make sure the watcher is available to 745C<ev_TYPE_set> is safe), you must not change its priority, and you must
646libev (e.g. you cnanot C<free ()> it). 746make sure the watcher is available to libev (e.g. you cannot C<free ()>
747it).
647 748
648=item callback = ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 749=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
649 750
650Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 751Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
651 752
652=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 753=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
653 754
654Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 755Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
655(modulo threads). 756(modulo threads).
757
758=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority)
759
760=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
761
762Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
763integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
764(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
765before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
766from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
767
768This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
769invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
770example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
771watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
772
773If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
774you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
775
776You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
777pending.
778
779The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
780always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
781
782Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
783fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
784or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
785
786=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
787
788Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
789C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
790can deal with that fact.
791
792=item int ev_clear_pending (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
793
794If the watcher is pending, this function returns clears its pending status
795and returns its C<revents> bitset (as if its callback was invoked). If the
796watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
656 797
657=back 798=back
658 799
659 800
660=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 801=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
681 { 822 {
682 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 823 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
683 ... 824 ...
684 } 825 }
685 826
686More interesting and less C-conformant ways of catsing your callback type 827More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type
687have been omitted.... 828instead have been omitted.
829
830Another common scenario is having some data structure with multiple
831watchers:
832
833 struct my_biggy
834 {
835 int some_data;
836 ev_timer t1;
837 ev_timer t2;
838 }
839
840In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more complicated,
841you need to use C<offsetof>:
842
843 #include <stddef.h>
844
845 static void
846 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
847 {
848 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
849 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
850 }
851
852 static void
853 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
854 {
855 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
856 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
857 }
688 858
689 859
690=head1 WATCHER TYPES 860=head1 WATCHER TYPES
691 861
692This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 862This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
693information given in the last section. 863information given in the last section. Any initialisation/set macros,
864functions and members specific to the watcher type are explained.
694 865
866Members are additionally marked with either I<[read-only]>, meaning that,
867while the watcher is active, you can look at the member and expect some
868sensible content, but you must not modify it (you can modify it while the
869watcher is stopped to your hearts content), or I<[read-write]>, which
870means you can expect it to have some sensible content while the watcher
871is active, but you can also modify it. Modifying it may not do something
872sensible or take immediate effect (or do anything at all), but libev will
873not crash or malfunction in any way.
695 874
875
696=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable 876=head2 C<ev_io> - is this file descriptor readable or writable?
697 877
698I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable 878I/O watchers check whether a file descriptor is readable or writable
699in each iteration of the event loop (This behaviour is called 879in each iteration of the event loop, or, more precisely, when reading
700level-triggering because you keep receiving events as long as the 880would not block the process and writing would at least be able to write
701condition persists. Remember you can stop the watcher if you don't want to 881some data. This behaviour is called level-triggering because you keep
702act on the event and neither want to receive future events). 882receiving events as long as the condition persists. Remember you can stop
883the watcher if you don't want to act on the event and neither want to
884receive future events.
703 885
704In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 886In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
705fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 887fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
706descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 888descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
707required if you know what you are doing). 889required if you know what you are doing).
708 890
709You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends 891You have to be careful with dup'ed file descriptors, though. Some backends
710(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file 892(the linux epoll backend is a notable example) cannot handle dup'ed file
711descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing 893descriptors correctly if you register interest in two or more fds pointing
712to the same underlying file/socket etc. description (that is, they share 894to the same underlying file/socket/etc. description (that is, they share
713the same underlying "file open"). 895the same underlying "file open").
714 896
715If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend 897If you must do this, then force the use of a known-to-be-good backend
716(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and 898(at the time of this writing, this includes only C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and
717C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). 899C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
718 900
901Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
902receive "spurious" readyness notifications, that is your callback might
903be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
904because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a
905lot of those (for example solaris ports), it is very easy to get into
906this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus
907it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
908C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
909
910If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should not
911play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to seperately re-test
912whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good interface
913such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already does this on
914its own, so its quite safe to use).
915
719=over 4 916=over 4
720 917
721=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events) 918=item ev_io_init (ev_io *, callback, int fd, int events)
722 919
723=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events) 920=item ev_io_set (ev_io *, int fd, int events)
724 921
725Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The fd is the file descriptor to rceeive 922Configures an C<ev_io> watcher. The C<fd> is the file descriptor to
726events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_READ | 923rceeive events for and events is either C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or
727EV_WRITE> to receive the given events. 924C<EV_READ | EV_WRITE> to receive the given events.
728 925
729Please note that most of the more scalable backend mechanisms (for example 926=item int fd [read-only]
730epoll and solaris ports) can result in spurious readyness notifications 927
731for file descriptors, so you practically need to use non-blocking I/O (and 928The file descriptor being watched.
732treat callback invocation as hint only), or retest separately with a safe 929
733interface before doing I/O (XLib can do this), or force the use of either 930=item int events [read-only]
734C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>, which don't suffer from this 931
735problem. Also note that it is quite easy to have your callback invoked 932The events being watched.
736when the readyness condition is no longer valid even when employing
737typical ways of handling events, so its a good idea to use non-blocking
738I/O unconditionally.
739 933
740=back 934=back
741 935
742Example: call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 936Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
743readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 937readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
744attempt to read a whole line in the callback: 938attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
745 939
746 static void 940 static void
747 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 941 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
748 { 942 {
749 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 943 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
756 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 950 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
757 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 951 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
758 ev_loop (loop, 0); 952 ev_loop (loop, 0);
759 953
760 954
761=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally recurring timeouts 955=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
762 956
763Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 957Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
764given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that. 958given time, and optionally repeating in regular intervals after that.
765 959
766The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that 960The timers are based on real time, that is, if you register an event that
801=item ev_timer_again (loop) 995=item ev_timer_again (loop)
802 996
803This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 997This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is
804repeating. The exact semantics are: 998repeating. The exact semantics are:
805 999
1000If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared.
1001
806If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it. 1002If the timer is started but nonrepeating, stop it (as if it timed out).
807 1003
808If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the repeat 1004If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the
809value), or reset the running timer to the repeat value. 1005C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value.
810 1006
811This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 1007This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical
812example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle 1008example: Imagine you have a tcp connection and you want a so-called idle
813timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60 1009timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
814seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to 1010seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
815configure an C<ev_timer> with after=repeat=60 and calling ev_timer_again each 1011configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
816time you successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle 1012C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
817state where you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can stop 1013you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
818the timer, and again will automatically restart it if need be. 1014socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1015automatically restart it if need be.
1016
1017That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start>
1018altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>:
1019
1020 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.);
1021 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1022 ...
1023 timer->again = 17.;
1024 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1025 ...
1026 timer->again = 10.;
1027 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1028
1029This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1030you want to modify its timeout value.
1031
1032=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1033
1034The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1035or C<ev_timer_again> is called and determines the next timeout (if any),
1036which is also when any modifications are taken into account.
819 1037
820=back 1038=back
821 1039
822Example: create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 1040Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
823 1041
824 static void 1042 static void
825 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1043 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
826 { 1044 {
827 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 1045 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
829 1047
830 struct ev_timer mytimer; 1048 struct ev_timer mytimer;
831 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 1049 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
832 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 1050 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
833 1051
834Example: create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 1052Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
835inactivity. 1053inactivity.
836 1054
837 static void 1055 static void
838 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 1056 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
839 { 1057 {
848 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 1066 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
849 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 1067 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
850 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 1068 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
851 1069
852 1070
853=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron 1071=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
854 1072
855Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 1073Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
856(and unfortunately a bit complex). 1074(and unfortunately a bit complex).
857 1075
858Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 1076Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time)
859but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 1077but on wallclock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher
860to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 1078to trigger "at" some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a
861periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now () 1079periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifiying e.g. C<ev_now ()
862+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will 1080+ 10.>) and then reset your system clock to the last year, then it will
863take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger 1081take a year to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would trigger
864roughly 10 seconds later and of course not if you reset your system time 1082roughly 10 seconds later).
865again).
866 1083
867They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as 1084They can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, such as
868triggering an event on eahc midnight, local time. 1085triggering an event on each midnight, local time or other, complicated,
1086rules.
869 1087
870As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the 1088As with timers, the callback is guarenteed to be invoked only when the
871time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 1089time (C<at>) has been passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready
872during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined. 1090during the same loop iteration then order of execution is undefined.
873 1091
880Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 1098Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of
881operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex: 1099operation, and we will explain them from simplest to complex:
882 1100
883=over 4 1101=over 4
884 1102
885=item * absolute timer (interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 1103=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0)
886 1104
887In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time 1105In this configuration the watcher triggers an event at the wallclock time
888C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs, 1106C<at> and doesn't repeat. It will not adjust when a time jump occurs,
889that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the 1107that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will run when the
890system time reaches or surpasses this time. 1108system time reaches or surpasses this time.
891 1109
892=item * non-repeating interval timer (interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 1110=item * non-repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
893 1111
894In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 1112In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
895C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N) and then repeat, regardless 1113C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative)
896of any time jumps. 1114and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps.
897 1115
898This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system 1116This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to system
899time: 1117time:
900 1118
901 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 1119 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
907 1125
908Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 1126Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
909C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 1127C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
910time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 1128time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
911 1129
1130For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near
1131C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for
1132this value.
1133
912=item * manual reschedule mode (reschedule_cb = callback) 1134=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
913 1135
914In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 1136In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being
915ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 1137ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
916reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 1138reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
917current time as second argument. 1139current time as second argument.
918 1140
919NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 1141NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher,
920ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it, 1142ever, or make any event loop modifications>. If you need to stop it,
921return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by 1143return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop it afterwards (e.g. by
922starting a prepare watcher). 1144starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is legal).
923 1145
924Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, 1146Its prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w,
925ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 1147ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
926 1148
927 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1149 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
950Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful 1172Simply stops and restarts the periodic watcher again. This is only useful
951when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return 1173when you changed some parameters or the reschedule callback would return
952a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 1174a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
953program when the crontabs have changed). 1175program when the crontabs have changed).
954 1176
1177=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1178
1179When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1180absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>).
1181
1182Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1183timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1184
1185=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1186
1187The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1188take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1189called.
1190
1191=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1192
1193The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1194switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1195the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1196
955=back 1197=back
956 1198
957Example: call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 1199Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
958system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 1200system clock is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
959potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability. 1201potentially a lot of jittering, but good long-term stability.
960 1202
961 static void 1203 static void
962 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1204 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents)
966 1208
967 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1209 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
968 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 1210 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
969 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1211 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
970 1212
971Example: the same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 1213Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
972 1214
973 #include <math.h> 1215 #include <math.h>
974 1216
975 static ev_tstamp 1217 static ev_tstamp
976 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 1218 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
978 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.; 1220 return fmod (now, 3600.) + 3600.;
979 } 1221 }
980 1222
981 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 1223 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
982 1224
983Example: call a callback every hour, starting now: 1225Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
984 1226
985 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 1227 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick;
986 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 1228 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
987 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 1229 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
988 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 1230 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
989 1231
990 1232
991=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled 1233=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
992 1234
993Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 1235Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
994signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 1236signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
995will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 1237will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
996normal event processing, like any other event. 1238normal event processing, like any other event.
1009=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum) 1251=item ev_signal_set (ev_signal *, int signum)
1010 1252
1011Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one 1253Configures the watcher to trigger on the given signal number (usually one
1012of the C<SIGxxx> constants). 1254of the C<SIGxxx> constants).
1013 1255
1256=item int signum [read-only]
1257
1258The signal the watcher watches out for.
1259
1014=back 1260=back
1015 1261
1016 1262
1017=head2 C<ev_child> - wait for pid status changes 1263=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1018 1264
1019Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to 1265Child watchers trigger when your process receives a SIGCHLD in response to
1020some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies). 1266some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies).
1021 1267
1022=over 4 1268=over 4
1030at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see 1276at the C<rstatus> member of the C<ev_child> watcher structure to see
1031the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems 1277the status word (use the macros from C<sys/wait.h> and see your systems
1032C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the 1278C<waitpid> documentation). The C<rpid> member contains the pid of the
1033process causing the status change. 1279process causing the status change.
1034 1280
1281=item int pid [read-only]
1282
1283The process id this watcher watches out for, or C<0>, meaning any process id.
1284
1285=item int rpid [read-write]
1286
1287The process id that detected a status change.
1288
1289=item int rstatus [read-write]
1290
1291The process exit/trace status caused by C<rpid> (see your systems
1292C<waitpid> and C<sys/wait.h> documentation for details).
1293
1035=back 1294=back
1036 1295
1037Example: try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM. 1296Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT and SIGTERM.
1038 1297
1039 static void 1298 static void
1040 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 1299 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents)
1041 { 1300 {
1042 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1301 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL);
1045 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 1304 struct ev_signal signal_watcher;
1046 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 1305 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1047 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb); 1306 ev_signal_start (loop, &sigint_cb);
1048 1307
1049 1308
1309=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1310
1311This watches a filesystem path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1312C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed
1313compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did.
1314
1315The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1316not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does
1317not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is
1318otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of
1319the stat buffer having unspecified contents.
1320
1321The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is
1322relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined.
1323
1324Since there is no standard to do this, the portable implementation simply
1325calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if it changed somehow. You
1326can specify a recommended polling interval for this case. If you specify
1327a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) then a I<suitable,
1328unspecified default> value will be used (which you can expect to be around
1329five seconds, although this might change dynamically). Libev will also
1330impose a minimum interval which is currently around C<0.1>, but thats
1331usually overkill.
1332
1333This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1334as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1335resource-intensive.
1336
1337At the time of this writing, only the Linux inotify interface is
1338implemented (implementing kqueue support is left as an exercise for the
1339reader). Inotify will be used to give hints only and should not change the
1340semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers, which means that libev sometimes needs
1341to fall back to regular polling again even with inotify, but changes are
1342usually detected immediately, and if the file exists there will be no
1343polling.
1344
1345=over 4
1346
1347=item ev_stat_init (ev_stat *, callback, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1348
1349=item ev_stat_set (ev_stat *, const char *path, ev_tstamp interval)
1350
1351Configures the watcher to wait for status changes of the given
1352C<path>. The C<interval> is a hint on how quickly a change is expected to
1353be detected and should normally be specified as C<0> to let libev choose
1354a suitable value. The memory pointed to by C<path> must point to the same
1355path for as long as the watcher is active.
1356
1357The callback will be receive C<EV_STAT> when a change was detected,
1358relative to the attributes at the time the watcher was started (or the
1359last change was detected).
1360
1361=item ev_stat_stat (ev_stat *)
1362
1363Updates the stat buffer immediately with new values. If you change the
1364watched path in your callback, you could call this fucntion to avoid
1365detecting this change (while introducing a race condition). Can also be
1366useful simply to find out the new values.
1367
1368=item ev_statdata attr [read-only]
1369
1370The most-recently detected attributes of the file. Although the type is of
1371C<ev_statdata>, this is usually the (or one of the) C<struct stat> types
1372suitable for your system. If the C<st_nlink> member is C<0>, then there
1373was some error while C<stat>ing the file.
1374
1375=item ev_statdata prev [read-only]
1376
1377The previous attributes of the file. The callback gets invoked whenever
1378C<prev> != C<attr>.
1379
1380=item ev_tstamp interval [read-only]
1381
1382The specified interval.
1383
1384=item const char *path [read-only]
1385
1386The filesystem path that is being watched.
1387
1388=back
1389
1390Example: Watch C</etc/passwd> for attribute changes.
1391
1392 static void
1393 passwd_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_stat *w, int revents)
1394 {
1395 /* /etc/passwd changed in some way */
1396 if (w->attr.st_nlink)
1397 {
1398 printf ("passwd current size %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_size);
1399 printf ("passwd current atime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1400 printf ("passwd current mtime %ld\n", (long)w->attr.st_mtime);
1401 }
1402 else
1403 /* you shalt not abuse printf for puts */
1404 puts ("wow, /etc/passwd is not there, expect problems. "
1405 "if this is windows, they already arrived\n");
1406 }
1407
1408 ...
1409 ev_stat passwd;
1410
1411 ev_stat_init (&passwd, passwd_cb, "/etc/passwd");
1412 ev_stat_start (loop, &passwd);
1413
1414
1050=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do 1415=head2 C<ev_idle> - when you've got nothing better to do...
1051 1416
1052Idle watchers trigger events when there are no other events are pending 1417Idle watchers trigger events when no other events of the same or higher
1053(prepare, check and other idle watchers do not count). That is, as long 1418priority are pending (prepare, check and other idle watchers do not
1054as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts (or even signals, 1419count).
1055imagine) it will not be triggered. But when your process is idle all idle 1420
1056watchers are being called again and again, once per event loop iteration - 1421That is, as long as your process is busy handling sockets or timeouts
1422(or even signals, imagine) of the same or higher priority it will not be
1423triggered. But when your process is idle (or only lower-priority watchers
1424are pending), the idle watchers are being called once per event loop
1057until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events and becomes 1425iteration - until stopped, that is, or your process receives more events
1058busy. 1426and becomes busy again with higher priority stuff.
1059 1427
1060The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are 1428The most noteworthy effect is that as long as any idle watchers are
1061active, the process will not block when waiting for new events. 1429active, the process will not block when waiting for new events.
1062 1430
1063Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 1431Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1073kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 1441kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1074believe me. 1442believe me.
1075 1443
1076=back 1444=back
1077 1445
1078Example: dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle>, start it, and in the 1446Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1079callback, free it. Alos, use no error checking, as usual. 1447callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1080 1448
1081 static void 1449 static void
1082 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 1450 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents)
1083 { 1451 {
1084 free (w); 1452 free (w);
1089 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 1457 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle));
1090 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 1458 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1091 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 1459 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb);
1092 1460
1093 1461
1094=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop 1462=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1095 1463
1096Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem: 1464Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in tandem:
1097prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 1465prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
1098afterwards. 1466afterwards.
1099 1467
1468You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter
1469the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
1470watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
1471rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
1472those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
1473C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
1474called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
1475
1100Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 1476Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
1101their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track 1477their use is somewhat advanced. This could be used, for example, to track
1102variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 1478variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
1103coroutine library and lots more. 1479coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
1480you cache some data and want to flush it before blocking (for example,
1481in X programs you might want to do an C<XFlush ()> in an C<ev_prepare>
1482watcher).
1104 1483
1105This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need 1484This is done by examining in each prepare call which file descriptors need
1106to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for 1485to be watched by the other library, registering C<ev_io> watchers for
1107them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries 1486them and starting an C<ev_timer> watcher for any timeouts (many libraries
1108provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for 1487provide just this functionality). Then, in the check watcher you check for
1118with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 1497with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
1119of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 1498of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
1120loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 1499loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
1121low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 1500low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
1122 1501
1502It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>)
1503priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers
1504after the poll. Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers,
1505too) should not activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully
1506supports this, they will be called before other C<ev_check> watchers did
1507their job. As C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other event
1508loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
1509C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
1510others).
1511
1123=over 4 1512=over 4
1124 1513
1125=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 1514=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
1126 1515
1127=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback) 1516=item ev_check_init (ev_check *, callback)
1130parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set> 1519parameters of any kind. There are C<ev_prepare_set> and C<ev_check_set>
1131macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless. 1520macros, but using them is utterly, utterly and completely pointless.
1132 1521
1133=back 1522=back
1134 1523
1135Example: *TODO*. 1524There are a number of principal ways to embed other event loops or modules
1525into libev. Here are some ideas on how to include libadns into libev
1526(there is a Perl module named C<EV::ADNS> that does this, which you could
1527use for an actually working example. Another Perl module named C<EV::Glib>
1528embeds a Glib main context into libev, and finally, C<Glib::EV> embeds EV
1529into the Glib event loop).
1136 1530
1531Method 1: Add IO watchers and a timeout watcher in a prepare handler,
1532and in a check watcher, destroy them and call into libadns. What follows
1533is pseudo-code only of course. This requires you to either use a low
1534priority for the check watcher or use C<ev_clear_pending> explicitly, as
1535the callbacks for the IO/timeout watchers might not have been called yet.
1137 1536
1537 static ev_io iow [nfd];
1538 static ev_timer tw;
1539
1540 static void
1541 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1542 {
1543 }
1544
1545 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
1546 static void
1547 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
1548 {
1549 int timeout = 3600000;
1550 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
1551 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
1552 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
1553
1554 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
1555 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3);
1556 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
1557
1558 // create one ev_io per pollfd
1559 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1560 {
1561 ev_io_init (iow + i, io_cb, fds [i].fd,
1562 ((fds [i].events & POLLIN ? EV_READ : 0)
1563 | (fds [i].events & POLLOUT ? EV_WRITE : 0)));
1564
1565 fds [i].revents = 0;
1566 ev_io_start (loop, iow + i);
1567 }
1568 }
1569
1570 // stop all watchers after blocking
1571 static void
1572 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
1573 {
1574 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
1575
1576 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
1577 {
1578 // set the relevant poll flags
1579 // could also call adns_processreadable etc. here
1580 struct pollfd *fd = fds + i;
1581 int revents = ev_clear_pending (iow + i);
1582 if (revents & EV_READ ) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLIN;
1583 if (revents & EV_WRITE) fd->revents |= fd->events & POLLOUT;
1584
1585 // now stop the watcher
1586 ev_io_stop (loop, iow + i);
1587 }
1588
1589 adns_afterpoll (adns, fds, nfd, timeval_from (ev_now (loop));
1590 }
1591
1592Method 2: This would be just like method 1, but you run C<adns_afterpoll>
1593in the prepare watcher and would dispose of the check watcher.
1594
1595Method 3: If the module to be embedded supports explicit event
1596notification (adns does), you can also make use of the actual watcher
1597callbacks, and only destroy/create the watchers in the prepare watcher.
1598
1599 static void
1600 timer_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1601 {
1602 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1603 update_now (EV_A);
1604
1605 adns_processtimeouts (ads, &tv_now);
1606 }
1607
1608 static void
1609 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1610 {
1611 adns_state ads = (adns_state)w->data;
1612 update_now (EV_A);
1613
1614 if (revents & EV_READ ) adns_processreadable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1615 if (revents & EV_WRITE) adns_processwriteable (ads, w->fd, &tv_now);
1616 }
1617
1618 // do not ever call adns_afterpoll
1619
1620Method 4: Do not use a prepare or check watcher because the module you
1621want to embed is too inflexible to support it. Instead, youc na override
1622their poll function. The drawback with this solution is that the main
1623loop is now no longer controllable by EV. The C<Glib::EV> module does
1624this.
1625
1626 static gint
1627 event_poll_func (GPollFD *fds, guint nfds, gint timeout)
1628 {
1629 int got_events = 0;
1630
1631 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1632 // create/start io watcher that sets the relevant bits in fds[n] and increment got_events
1633
1634 if (timeout >= 0)
1635 // create/start timer
1636
1637 // poll
1638 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
1639
1640 // stop timer again
1641 if (timeout >= 0)
1642 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
1643
1644 // stop io watchers again - their callbacks should have set
1645 for (n = 0; n < nfds; ++n)
1646 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ iow [n]);
1647
1648 return got_events;
1649 }
1650
1651
1138=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough 1652=head2 C<ev_embed> - when one backend isn't enough...
1139 1653
1140This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop 1654This is a rather advanced watcher type that lets you embed one event loop
1141into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded 1655into another (currently only C<ev_io> events are supported in the embedded
1142loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect 1656loop, other types of watchers might be handled in a delayed or incorrect
1143fashion and must not be used). 1657fashion and must not be used).
1221 1735
1222Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 1736Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
1223similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 1737similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most
1224apropriate way for embedded loops. 1738apropriate way for embedded loops.
1225 1739
1740=item struct ev_loop *loop [read-only]
1741
1742The embedded event loop.
1743
1744=back
1745
1746
1747=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
1748
1749Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
1750whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
1751C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the
1752event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
1753and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
1754C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
1755handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
1756
1757=over 4
1758
1759=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback)
1760
1761Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
1762kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1763believe me.
1764
1226=back 1765=back
1227 1766
1228 1767
1229=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 1768=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
1230 1769
1318 1857
1319To use it, 1858To use it,
1320 1859
1321 #include <ev++.h> 1860 #include <ev++.h>
1322 1861
1323(it is not installed by default). This automatically includes F<ev.h> 1862This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
1324and puts all of its definitions (many of them macros) into the global 1863of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
1325namespace. All C++ specific things are put into the C<ev> namespace. 1864put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
1865options as F<ev.h>, most notably C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>.
1326 1866
1327It should support all the same embedding options as F<ev.h>, most notably 1867Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
1328C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. 1868classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
1869that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
1870you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
1871
1872Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be
1873used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only
1874need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other
1875types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing
1876it).
1329 1877
1330Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 1878Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
1331 1879
1332=over 4 1880=over 4
1333 1881
1349 1897
1350All of those classes have these methods: 1898All of those classes have these methods:
1351 1899
1352=over 4 1900=over 4
1353 1901
1354=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *) 1902=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
1355 1903
1356=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (object *, object::method *, struct ev_loop *) 1904=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *)
1357 1905
1358=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 1906=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
1359 1907
1360The constructor takes a pointer to an object and a method pointer to 1908The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
1361the event handler callback to call in this class. The constructor calls 1909with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
1362C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the C<set> method 1910
1363before starting it. If you do not specify a loop then the constructor 1911The constructor calls C<ev_init> for you, which means you have to call the
1364automatically associates the default loop with this watcher. 1912C<set> method before starting it.
1913
1914It will not set a callback, however: You have to call the templated C<set>
1915method to set a callback before you can start the watcher.
1916
1917(The reason why you have to use a method is a limitation in C++ which does
1918not allow explicit template arguments for constructors).
1365 1919
1366The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active. 1920The destructor automatically stops the watcher if it is active.
1921
1922=item w->set<class, &class::method> (object *)
1923
1924This method sets the callback method to call. The method has to have a
1925signature of C<void (*)(ev_TYPE &, int)>, it receives the watcher as
1926first argument and the C<revents> as second. The object must be given as
1927parameter and is stored in the C<data> member of the watcher.
1928
1929This method synthesizes efficient thunking code to call your method from
1930the C callback that libev requires. If your compiler can inline your
1931callback (i.e. it is visible to it at the place of the C<set> call and
1932your compiler is good :), then the method will be fully inlined into the
1933thunking function, making it as fast as a direct C callback.
1934
1935Example: simple class declaration and watcher initialisation
1936
1937 struct myclass
1938 {
1939 void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
1940 }
1941
1942 myclass obj;
1943 ev::io iow;
1944 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
1945
1946=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
1947
1948Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
1949callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
1950C<data> member and is free for you to use.
1951
1952The prototype of the C<function> must be C<void (*)(ev::TYPE &w, int)>.
1953
1954See the method-C<set> above for more details.
1955
1956Example:
1957
1958 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
1959 iow.set <io_cb> ();
1367 1960
1368=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 1961=item w->set (struct ev_loop *)
1369 1962
1370Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 1963Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
1371do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 1964do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
1372 1965
1373=item w->set ([args]) 1966=item w->set ([args])
1374 1967
1375Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be 1968Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same args. Must be
1376called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 1969called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets
1377automatically stopped and restarted. 1970automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
1971method.
1378 1972
1379=item w->start () 1973=item w->start ()
1380 1974
1381Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument as the 1975Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
1382constructor already takes the loop. 1976constructor already stores the event loop.
1383 1977
1384=item w->stop () 1978=item w->stop ()
1385 1979
1386Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 1980Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
1387 1981
1392 1986
1393=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only 1987=item w->sweep () C<ev::embed> only
1394 1988
1395Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>. 1989Invokes C<ev_embed_sweep>.
1396 1990
1991=item w->update () C<ev::stat> only
1992
1993Invokes C<ev_stat_stat>.
1994
1397=back 1995=back
1398 1996
1399=back 1997=back
1400 1998
1401Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 1999Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in
1408 2006
1409 myclass (); 2007 myclass ();
1410 } 2008 }
1411 2009
1412 myclass::myclass (int fd) 2010 myclass::myclass (int fd)
1413 : io (this, &myclass::io_cb),
1414 idle (this, &myclass::idle_cb)
1415 { 2011 {
2012 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
2013 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2014
1416 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 2015 io.start (fd, ev::READ);
1417 } 2016 }
1418 2017
2018
2019=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2020
2021Libev can be compiled with a variety of options, the most fundemantal is
2022C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>. This option determines whether (most) functions and
2023callbacks have an initial C<struct ev_loop *> argument.
2024
2025To make it easier to write programs that cope with either variant, the
2026following macros are defined:
2027
2028=over 4
2029
2030=item C<EV_A>, C<EV_A_>
2031
2032This provides the loop I<argument> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2033loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2034C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2035
2036 ev_unref (EV_A);
2037 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2038 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
2039
2040It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2041which is often provided by the following macro.
2042
2043=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2044
2045This provides the loop I<parameter> for functions, if one is required ("ev
2046loop parameter"). The C<EV_P> form is used when this is the sole parameter,
2047C<EV_P_> is used when other parameters are following. Example:
2048
2049 // this is how ev_unref is being declared
2050 static void ev_unref (EV_P);
2051
2052 // this is how you can declare your typical callback
2053 static void cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2054
2055It declares a parameter C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *>, quite
2056suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2057
2058=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2059
2060Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2061loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default").
2062
2063=back
2064
2065Example: Declare and initialise a check watcher, utilising the above
2066macros so it will work regardless of whether multiple loops are supported
2067or not.
2068
2069 static void
2070 check_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
2071 {
2072 ev_check_stop (EV_A_ w);
2073 }
2074
2075 ev_check check;
2076 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2077 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2078 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2079
2080=head1 EMBEDDING
2081
2082Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2083applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
2084Game Server, the EV perl module, the GNU Virtual Private Ethernet (gvpe)
2085and rxvt-unicode.
2086
2087The goal is to enable you to just copy the neecssary files into your
2088source directory without having to change even a single line in them, so
2089you can easily upgrade by simply copying (or having a checked-out copy of
2090libev somewhere in your source tree).
2091
2092=head2 FILESETS
2093
2094Depending on what features you need you need to include one or more sets of files
2095in your app.
2096
2097=head3 CORE EVENT LOOP
2098
2099To include only the libev core (all the C<ev_*> functions), with manual
2100configuration (no autoconf):
2101
2102 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2103 #include "ev.c"
2104
2105This will automatically include F<ev.h>, too, and should be done in a
2106single C source file only to provide the function implementations. To use
2107it, do the same for F<ev.h> in all files wishing to use this API (best
2108done by writing a wrapper around F<ev.h> that you can include instead and
2109where you can put other configuration options):
2110
2111 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2112 #include "ev.h"
2113
2114Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2115compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2116as a bug).
2117
2118You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2119in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2120
2121 ev.h
2122 ev.c
2123 ev_vars.h
2124 ev_wrap.h
2125
2126 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
2127
2128 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default)
2129 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2130 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2131 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2132 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default)
2133
2134F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
2135to compile this single file.
2136
2137=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
2138
2139To include the libevent compatibility API, also include:
2140
2141 #include "event.c"
2142
2143in the file including F<ev.c>, and:
2144
2145 #include "event.h"
2146
2147in the files that want to use the libevent API. This also includes F<ev.h>.
2148
2149You need the following additional files for this:
2150
2151 event.h
2152 event.c
2153
2154=head3 AUTOCONF SUPPORT
2155
2156Instead of using C<EV_STANDALONE=1> and providing your config in
2157whatever way you want, you can also C<m4_include([libev.m4])> in your
2158F<configure.ac> and leave C<EV_STANDALONE> undefined. F<ev.c> will then
2159include F<config.h> and configure itself accordingly.
2160
2161For this of course you need the m4 file:
2162
2163 libev.m4
2164
2165=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2166
2167Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to define
2168before including any of its files. The default is not to build for multiplicity
2169and only include the select backend.
2170
2171=over 4
2172
2173=item EV_STANDALONE
2174
2175Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2176keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2177implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2178supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2179F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2180
2181=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2182
2183If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2184monotonic clock option at both compiletime and runtime. Otherwise no use
2185of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you
2186usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when
2187the functionality isn't available is safe, though, althoguh you have
2188to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2189function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>).
2190
2191=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2192
2193If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2194realtime clock option at compiletime (and assume its availability at
2195runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the realtime clock option will
2196be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get
2197(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See tzhe note about libraries
2198in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though.
2199
2200=item EV_USE_SELECT
2201
2202If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
2203C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at autodetection will be done: if no
2204other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
2205will not be compiled in.
2206
2207=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
2208
2209If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
2210structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
2211C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it misguesses the bitset layout on
2212exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some
2213low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only
2214allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might
2215influence the size of the C<fd_set> used.
2216
2217=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
2218
2219When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
2220select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
2221wants osf handles on win32 (this is the case when the select to
2222be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
2223C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
2224it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
2225on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
2226
2227=item EV_USE_POLL
2228
2229If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
2230backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
2231takes precedence over select.
2232
2233=item EV_USE_EPOLL
2234
2235If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
2236C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2237otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the
2238preferred backend for GNU/Linux systems.
2239
2240=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
2241
2242If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
2243C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
2244otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2245backend for BSD and BSD-like systems, although on most BSDs kqueue only
2246supports some types of fds correctly (the only platform we found that
2247supports ptys for example was NetBSD), so kqueue might be compiled in, but
2248not be used unless explicitly requested. The best way to use it is to find
2249out whether kqueue supports your type of fd properly and use an embedded
2250kqueue loop.
2251
2252=item EV_USE_PORT
2253
2254If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Solaris
225510 port style backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
2256otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
2257backend for Solaris 10 systems.
2258
2259=item EV_USE_DEVPOLL
2260
2261reserved for future expansion, works like the USE symbols above.
2262
2263=item EV_USE_INOTIFY
2264
2265If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
2266interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
2267be detected at runtime.
2268
2269=item EV_H
2270
2271The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
2272undefined is C<< <ev.h> >> in F<event.h> and C<"ev.h"> in F<ev.c>. This
2273can be used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
2274
2275=item EV_CONFIG_H
2276
2277If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
2278F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
2279C<EV_H>, above.
2280
2281=item EV_EVENT_H
2282
2283Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
2284of how the F<event.h> header can be found.
2285
2286=item EV_PROTOTYPES
2287
2288If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
2289prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
2290occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
2291around libev functions.
2292
2293=item EV_MULTIPLICITY
2294
2295If undefined or defined to C<1>, then all event-loop-specific functions
2296will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
2297additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
2298for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
2299argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
2300
2301=item EV_MINPRI
2302
2303=item EV_MAXPRI
2304
2305The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
2306C<EV_MAXPRI>, but otherwise there are no non-obvious limitations. You can
2307provide for more priorities by overriding those symbols (usually defined
2308to be C<-2> and C<2>, respectively).
2309
2310When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to linearly search
2311all the priorities, so having many of them (hundreds) uses a lot of space
2312and time, so using the defaults of five priorities (-2 .. +2) is usually
2313fine.
2314
2315If your embedding app does not need any priorities, defining these both to
2316C<0> will save some memory and cpu.
2317
2318=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE
2319
2320If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If
2321defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2322code.
2323
2324=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE
2325
2326If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
2327defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
2328code.
2329
2330=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
2331
2332If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
2333defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2334
2335=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
2336
2337If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
2338defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2339
2340=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
2341
2342If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
2343defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
2344
2345=item EV_MINIMAL
2346
2347If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
2348speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently only used for gcc to override
2349some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% codesize of amd64.
2350
2351=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
2352
2353C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2354pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more
2355than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to
2356increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
2357
2358=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
2359
2360C<ev_staz> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
2361inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>),
2362usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat>
2363watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of
2364two).
2365
2366=item EV_COMMON
2367
2368By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
2369this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of
2370members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
2371though, and it must be identical each time.
2372
2373For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
2374
2375 #define EV_COMMON \
2376 SV *self; /* contains this struct */ \
2377 SV *cb_sv, *fh /* note no trailing ";" */
2378
2379=item EV_CB_DECLARE (type)
2380
2381=item EV_CB_INVOKE (watcher, revents)
2382
2383=item ev_set_cb (ev, cb)
2384
2385Can be used to change the callback member declaration in each watcher,
2386and the way callbacks are invoked and set. Must expand to a struct member
2387definition and a statement, respectively. See the F<ev.v> header file for
2388their default definitions. One possible use for overriding these is to
2389avoid the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument in all cases, or to use
2390method calls instead of plain function calls in C++.
2391
2392=head2 EXAMPLES
2393
2394For a real-world example of a program the includes libev
2395verbatim, you can have a look at the EV perl module
2396(L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV.html>). It has the libev files in
2397the F<libev/> subdirectory and includes them in the F<EV/EVAPI.h> (public
2398interface) and F<EV.xs> (implementation) files. Only the F<EV.xs> file
2399will be compiled. It is pretty complex because it provides its own header
2400file.
2401
2402The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
2403that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
2404
2405 #define EV_MINIMAL 1
2406 #define EV_USE_POLL 0
2407 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
2408 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0
2409 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0
2410 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0
2411 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
2412 #define EV_MINPRI 0
2413 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
2414
2415 #include "ev++.h"
2416
2417And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
2418
2419 #include "ev_cpp.h"
2420 #include "ev.c"
2421
2422
2423=head1 COMPLEXITIES
2424
2425In this section the complexities of (many of) the algorithms used inside
2426libev will be explained. For complexity discussions about backends see the
2427documentation for C<ev_default_init>.
2428
2429All of the following are about amortised time: If an array needs to be
2430extended, libev needs to realloc and move the whole array, but this
2431happens asymptotically never with higher number of elements, so O(1) might
2432mean it might do a lengthy realloc operation in rare cases, but on average
2433it is much faster and asymptotically approaches constant time.
2434
2435=over 4
2436
2437=item Starting and stopping timer/periodic watchers: O(log skipped_other_timers)
2438
2439This means that, when you have a watcher that triggers in one hour and
2440there are 100 watchers that would trigger before that then inserting will
2441have to skip those 100 watchers.
2442
2443=item Changing timer/periodic watchers (by autorepeat, again): O(log skipped_other_timers)
2444
2445That means that for changing a timer costs less than removing/adding them
2446as only the relative motion in the event queue has to be paid for.
2447
2448=item Starting io/check/prepare/idle/signal/child watchers: O(1)
2449
2450These just add the watcher into an array or at the head of a list.
2451=item Stopping check/prepare/idle watchers: O(1)
2452
2453=item Stopping an io/signal/child watcher: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_(fd/signal/pid % EV_PID_HASHSIZE))
2454
2455These watchers are stored in lists then need to be walked to find the
2456correct watcher to remove. The lists are usually short (you don't usually
2457have many watchers waiting for the same fd or signal).
2458
2459=item Finding the next timer per loop iteration: O(1)
2460
2461=item Each change on a file descriptor per loop iteration: O(number_of_watchers_for_this_fd)
2462
2463A change means an I/O watcher gets started or stopped, which requires
2464libev to recalculate its status (and possibly tell the kernel).
2465
2466=item Activating one watcher: O(1)
2467
2468=item Priority handling: O(number_of_priorities)
2469
2470Priorities are implemented by allocating some space for each
2471priority. When doing priority-based operations, libev usually has to
2472linearly search all the priorities.
2473
2474=back
2475
2476
1419=head1 AUTHOR 2477=head1 AUTHOR
1420 2478
1421Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 2479Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>.
1422 2480

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