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Comparing libev/ev.pod (file contents):
Revision 1.388 by root, Tue Dec 20 04:08:35 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.400 by root, Mon Apr 2 23:46:11 2012 UTC

567 567
568It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 568It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
569kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 569kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
570course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 570course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
571cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 571cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
572two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but 572two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
573sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect 573might have to leak fd's on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
574cases 574drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases
575 575
576This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 576This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
577 577
578While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 578While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
579everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 579everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
792without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>. 792without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
793 793
794Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the 794Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
795event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>). 795event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
796 796
797=item ev_run (loop, int flags) 797=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
798 798
799Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 799Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
800after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start 800after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
801handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call 801handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
802the watcher callbacks, an then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This 802the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
803is why event loops are called I<loops>. 803is why event loops are called I<loops>.
804 804
805If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events 805If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
806until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was 806until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
807called. 807called.
808
809The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
810usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
811(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
808 812
809Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than 813Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
810relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 814relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
811finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 815finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
812that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 816that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
813of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 817of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
814beauty. 818beauty.
815 819
816This function is also I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of 820This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
817a C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++ 821C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
818exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor 822exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
819will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks. 823will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
820 824
821A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle 825A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
822those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and 826those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
1878 // timeout occurred, take action 1882 // timeout occurred, take action
1879 } 1883 }
1880 else 1884 else
1881 { 1885 {
1882 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent 1886 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1883 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out 1887 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1884 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time 1888 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1885 // the timeout can occur. 1889 // the timeout can occur.
1886 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.); 1890 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1887 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w); 1891 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1888 } 1892 }
2108keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2112keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
2109do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2113do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
2110 2114
2111=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2115=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
2112 2116
2113This will act as if the timer timed out and restarts it again if it is 2117This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
2114repeating. The exact semantics are: 2118repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2119timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
2115 2120
2121The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2122applied to the watcher:
2123
2124=over 4
2125
2116If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2126=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
2117 2127
2118If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2128=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
2129out, without invoking it).
2119 2130
2120If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 2131=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
2121C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2132and start the timer, if necessary.
2133
2134=back
2122 2135
2123This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a 2136This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
2124usage example. 2137usage example.
2125 2138
2126=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *) 2139=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
3633 int exit_main_loop = 0; 3646 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3634 3647
3635 while (!exit_main_loop) 3648 while (!exit_main_loop)
3636 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE); 3649 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3637 3650
3638 // in a model watcher 3651 // in a modal watcher
3639 int exit_nested_loop = 0; 3652 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3640 3653
3641 while (!exit_nested_loop) 3654 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3642 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE); 3655 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3643 3656
3823 switch_to (libev_coro); 3836 switch_to (libev_coro);
3824 } 3837 }
3825 3838
3826That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and 3839That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
3827continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to 3840continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
3828this or any other coroutine. I am sure if you sue this your own :) 3841this or any other coroutine.
3829 3842
3830You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue - 3843You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
3831instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of 3844instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
3832switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify 3845switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
3833any waiters. 3846any waiters.
3908with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy 3921with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3909to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If 3922to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3910you need support for other types of functors please contact the author 3923you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3911(preferably after implementing it). 3924(preferably after implementing it).
3912 3925
3926For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
3927conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
3928to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
3929
3913Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3930Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3914 3931
3915=over 4 3932=over 4
3916 3933
3917=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc. 3934=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc.
3926=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 3943=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3927 3944
3928For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 3945For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
3929the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 3946the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
3930which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 3947which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3931defines by many implementations. 3948defined by many implementations.
3932 3949
3933All of those classes have these methods: 3950All of those classes have these methods:
3934 3951
3935=over 4 3952=over 4
3936 3953
4495If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4512If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
4496interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4513interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
4497be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4514be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
4498indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4515indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4499 4516
4517=item EV_NO_SMP
4518
4519If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4520between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4521different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4522and makes libev faster.
4523
4524=item EV_NO_THREADS
4525
4526If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called
4527from different threads, which is a stronger assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>,
4528above. This reduces dependencies and makes libev faster.
4529
4500=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4530=item EV_ATOMIC_T
4501 4531
4502Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4532Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
4503access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal 4533access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal
4504contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can 4534contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can
4590 #define EV_USE_POLL 1 4620 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4591 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1 4621 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4592 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1 4622 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4593 4623
4594The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following 4624The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4595values: 4625values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4596 4626
4597=over 4 4627=over 4
4598 4628
4599=item C<1> - faster/larger code 4629=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4600 4630
4604code size by roughly 30% on amd64). 4634code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4605 4635
4606When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with 4636When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4607gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of 4637gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4608assertions. 4638assertions.
4639
4640The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4641(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4609 4642
4610=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures 4643=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4611 4644
4612Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger 4645Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4613hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size 4646hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4614and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at 4647and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4615runtime. 4648runtime.
4649
4650The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4651(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4616 4652
4617=item C<4> - full API configuration 4653=item C<4> - full API configuration
4618 4654
4619This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and 4655This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4620enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1). 4656enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4662when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file, 4698when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4663and do not want its identifiers to be visible. 4699and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4664 4700
4665To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that 4701To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4666wants to use libev. 4702wants to use libev.
4703
4704This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4705doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4667 4706
4668=item EV_AVOID_STDIO 4707=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4669 4708
4670If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio 4709If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4671functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size 4710functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size

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