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Revision 1.394 by root, Tue Jan 24 16:37:12 2012 UTC vs.
Revision 1.405 by root, Thu May 3 15:07:15 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
1170 1174
1171=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1175=item C<EV_PREPARE>
1172 1176
1173=item C<EV_CHECK> 1177=item C<EV_CHECK>
1174 1178
1175All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts 1179All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
1176to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1180gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
1177C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1181just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
1182for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
1183watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
1184C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
1185or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
1186
1178received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1187Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
1179many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1188they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
1180(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1189C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
1181C<ev_run> from blocking). 1190blocking).
1182 1191
1183=item C<EV_EMBED> 1192=item C<EV_EMBED>
1184 1193
1185The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1194The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1186 1195
1870 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1879 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1871 { 1880 {
1872 // calculate when the timeout would happen 1881 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1873 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout; 1882 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1874 1883
1875 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occured 1884 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1876 if (after < 0.) 1885 if (after < 0.)
1877 { 1886 {
1878 // timeout occurred, take action 1887 // timeout occurred, take action
1879 } 1888 }
1880 else 1889 else
1898 1907
1899Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger, 1908Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
1900and simply start the timer with this timeout value. 1909and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
1901 1910
1902In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether 1911In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
1903the timeout cocured. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check 1912the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
1904again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat. 1913again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1905 1914
1906This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds 1915This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1907minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to 1916minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1908libev to change the timeout. 1917libev to change the timeout.
1922 if (activity detected) 1931 if (activity detected)
1923 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A); 1932 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1924 1933
1925When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply 1934When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
1926providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which 1935providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
1927will agaion do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :). 1936will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
1928 1937
1929 timeout = new_value; 1938 timeout = new_value;
1930 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer); 1939 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
1931 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0); 1940 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1932 1941
2112 2121
2113This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is 2122This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
2114repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the 2123repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2115timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>. 2124timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
2116 2125
2117The exact semantics are as in the wollofing rules, all of which will be 2126The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2118applied to the watcher: 2127applied to the watcher:
2119 2128
2120=over 4 2129=over 4
2121 2130
2122=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared. 2131=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
3309it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe. 3318it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
3310 3319
3311This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3320This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
3312too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3321too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
3313(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3322(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
3314C<ev_async_sent> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind 3323C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
3315of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused 3324of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
3316signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread, 3325signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
3317even without knowing which loop owns the signal. 3326even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
3318 3327
3319=head3 Queueing 3328=head3 Queueing
3893 3902
3894=back 3903=back
3895 3904
3896=head1 C++ SUPPORT 3905=head1 C++ SUPPORT
3897 3906
3907=head2 C API
3908
3909The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
3910libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
3911will work fine.
3912
3913Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
3914to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all
3915other callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodioc
3916reschedule callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<throw
3917()> specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C
3918and C++ you can use the C<EV_THROW> macro for this:
3919
3920 static void
3921 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_THROW
3922 {
3923 perror (msg);
3924 abort ();
3925 }
3926
3927 ...
3928 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
3929
3930The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
3931C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
3932because it runs cleanup watchers).
3933
3934Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
3935is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
3936throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
3937
3938=head2 C++ API
3939
3898Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3940Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3899you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3941you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3900the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3942the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3901 3943
3902To use it, 3944To use it,
3916Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes 3958Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
3917with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy 3959with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3918to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If 3960to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3919you need support for other types of functors please contact the author 3961you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3920(preferably after implementing it). 3962(preferably after implementing it).
3963
3964For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
3965conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
3966to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
3921 3967
3922Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 3968Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3923 3969
3924=over 4 3970=over 4
3925 3971
4504If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4550If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
4505interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4551interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
4506be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4552be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
4507indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4553indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4508 4554
4555=item EV_NO_SMP
4556
4557If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4558between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4559different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4560and makes libev faster.
4561
4562=item EV_NO_THREADS
4563
4564If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called
4565from different threads, which is a stronger assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>,
4566above. This reduces dependencies and makes libev faster.
4567
4509=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4568=item EV_ATOMIC_T
4510 4569
4511Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4570Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
4512access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal 4571access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal
4513contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can 4572contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can
4599 #define EV_USE_POLL 1 4658 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4600 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1 4659 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4601 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1 4660 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4602 4661
4603The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following 4662The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4604values: 4663values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4605 4664
4606=over 4 4665=over 4
4607 4666
4608=item C<1> - faster/larger code 4667=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4609 4668
4613code size by roughly 30% on amd64). 4672code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4614 4673
4615When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with 4674When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4616gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of 4675gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4617assertions. 4676assertions.
4677
4678The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4679(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4618 4680
4619=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures 4681=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4620 4682
4621Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger 4683Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4622hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size 4684hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4623and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at 4685and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4624runtime. 4686runtime.
4687
4688The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4689(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4625 4690
4626=item C<4> - full API configuration 4691=item C<4> - full API configuration
4627 4692
4628This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and 4693This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4629enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1). 4694enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).

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