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Revision 1.390 by root, Tue Dec 20 15:41:55 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.402 by root, Wed Apr 18 06:09:29 2012 UTC

247the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends () 247the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
248& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones. 248& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
249 249
250See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 250See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
251 251
252=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) 252=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
253 253
254Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 254Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
255semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is 255semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
256used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero 256used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
257when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort 257when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
283 } 283 }
284 284
285 ... 285 ...
286 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 286 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
287 287
288=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)) 288=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
289 289
290Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such 290Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
291as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 291as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
292indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 292indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
293callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no 293callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
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
1012invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.). 1016invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
1013 1017
1014If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new 1018If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
1015callback. 1019callback.
1016 1020
1017=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P)) 1021=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
1018 1022
1019Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This 1023Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
1020can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around 1024can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
1021each call to a libev function. 1025each call to a libev function.
1022 1026
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 *)
3884 3897
3885=back 3898=back
3886 3899
3887=head1 C++ SUPPORT 3900=head1 C++ SUPPORT
3888 3901
3902=head2 C API
3903
3904The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
3905libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
3906will work fine.
3907
3908Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
3909to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all
3910other callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodioc
3911reschedule callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<throw
3912()> specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C
3913and C++ you can use the C<EV_THROW> macro for this:
3914
3915 static void
3916 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_THROW
3917 {
3918 perror (msg);
3919 abort ();
3920 }
3921
3922 ...
3923 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
3924
3925The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
3926C<ev_inoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
3927because it runs cleanup watchers).
3928
3929Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
3930is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
3931throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
3932
3933=head2 C++ API
3934
3889Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3935Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3890you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3936you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3891the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3937the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3892 3938
3893To use it, 3939To use it,
3908with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy 3954with 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 3955to 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 3956you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3911(preferably after implementing it). 3957(preferably after implementing it).
3912 3958
3959For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
3960conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
3961to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
3962
3913Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3963Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3914 3964
3915=over 4 3965=over 4
3916 3966
3917=item C<ev::READ>, C<ev::WRITE> etc. 3967=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. 3976=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3927 3977
3928For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 3978For 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> 3979the 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 3980which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3931defines by many implementations. 3981defined by many implementations.
3932 3982
3933All of those classes have these methods: 3983All of those classes have these methods:
3934 3984
3935=over 4 3985=over 4
3936 3986
4495If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4545If 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 4546interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
4497be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4547be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
4498indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4548indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4499 4549
4550=item EV_NO_SMP
4551
4552If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4553between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4554different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4555and makes libev faster.
4556
4557=item EV_NO_THREADS
4558
4559If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called
4560from different threads, which is a stronger assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>,
4561above. This reduces dependencies and makes libev faster.
4562
4500=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4563=item EV_ATOMIC_T
4501 4564
4502Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4565Libev 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 4566access 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 4567contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can
4590 #define EV_USE_POLL 1 4653 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4591 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1 4654 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4592 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1 4655 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4593 4656
4594The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following 4657The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4595values: 4658values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4596 4659
4597=over 4 4660=over 4
4598 4661
4599=item C<1> - faster/larger code 4662=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4600 4663
4604code size by roughly 30% on amd64). 4667code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4605 4668
4606When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with 4669When 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 4670gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4608assertions. 4671assertions.
4672
4673The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4674(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4609 4675
4610=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures 4676=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4611 4677
4612Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger 4678Replaces 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 4679hash 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 4680and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4615runtime. 4681runtime.
4682
4683The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4684(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4616 4685
4617=item C<4> - full API configuration 4686=item C<4> - full API configuration
4618 4687
4619This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and 4688This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4620enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1). 4689enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4662when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file, 4731when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4663and do not want its identifiers to be visible. 4732and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4664 4733
4665To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that 4734To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4666wants to use libev. 4735wants to use libev.
4736
4737This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4738doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4667 4739
4668=item EV_AVOID_STDIO 4740=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4669 4741
4670If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio 4742If 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 4743functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size

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