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9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 9=head2 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
10 10
11 // a single header file is required 11 // a single header file is required
12 #include <ev.h> 12 #include <ev.h>
13 13
14 #include <stdio.h> // for puts
15
14 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct 16 // every watcher type has its own typedef'd struct
15 // with the name ev_<type> 17 // with the name ev_TYPE
16 ev_io stdin_watcher; 18 ev_io stdin_watcher;
17 ev_timer timeout_watcher; 19 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
18 20
19 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature 21 // all watcher callbacks have a similar signature
20 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin 22 // this callback is called when data is readable on stdin
21 static void 23 static void
22 stdin_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_io *w, int revents) 24 stdin_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
23 { 25 {
24 puts ("stdin ready"); 26 puts ("stdin ready");
25 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
26 // with its corresponding stop function. 28 // with its corresponding stop function.
27 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
28 30
29 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 31 // this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
30 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 32 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
31 } 33 }
32 34
33 // another callback, this time for a time-out 35 // another callback, this time for a time-out
34 static void 36 static void
35 timeout_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
36 { 38 {
37 puts ("timeout"); 39 puts ("timeout");
38 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 40 // this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
39 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 41 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
40 } 42 }
41 43
42 int 44 int
43 main (void) 45 main (void)
44 { 46 {
45 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
46 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 48 struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
47 49
48 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
49 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
50 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
51 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
54 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
55 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
56 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
57 59
58 // now wait for events to arrive 60 // now wait for events to arrive
59 ev_loop (loop, 0); 61 ev_run (loop, 0);
60 62
61 // unloop was called, so exit 63 // break was called, so exit
62 return 0; 64 return 0;
63 } 65 }
64 66
65=head1 DESCRIPTION 67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68
69This document documents the libev software package.
66 70
67The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted 71The newest version of this document is also available as an html-formatted
68web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first 72web page you might find easier to navigate when reading it for the first
69time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>. 73time: L<http://pod.tst.eu/http://cvs.schmorp.de/libev/ev.pod>.
74
75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting
76libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
78with libev.
79
80Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document.
82
83=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
84
85This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
86it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
87reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
88look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
89C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
90
91=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
70 92
71Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 93Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
72file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 94file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
73these event sources and provide your program with events. 95these event sources and provide your program with events.
74 96
84=head2 FEATURES 106=head2 FEATURES
85 107
86Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 108Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the
87BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 109BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms
88for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 110for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface
89(for C<ev_stat>), relative timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers 111(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
90with customised rescheduling (C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals 112inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
91(C<ev_signal>), process status change events (C<ev_child>), and event 113timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
92watchers dealing with the event loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, 114(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
93C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> watchers) as well as 115change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
94file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even limited support for fork events 116loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
95(C<ev_fork>). 117C<ev_check> watchers) as well as file watchers (C<ev_stat>) and even
118limited support for fork events (C<ev_fork>).
96 119
97It also is quite fast (see this 120It also is quite fast (see this
98L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent 121L<benchmark|http://libev.schmorp.de/bench.html> comparing it to libevent
99for example). 122for example).
100 123
108name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have 131name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
109this argument. 132this argument.
110 133
111=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 134=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
112 135
113Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing the 136Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
114(fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere near 137the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
115the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This type is 138somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
116called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually aliases 139ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
117to the C<double> type in C, and when you need to do any calculations on 140too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
118it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name 141any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
142
119component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 143Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
120throughout libev. 144time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
121 145
122=head1 ERROR HANDLING 146=head1 ERROR HANDLING
123 147
124Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors 148Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
125and internal errors (bugs). 149and internal errors (bugs).
149 173
150=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 174=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
151 175
152Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 176Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
153C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 177C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
154you actually want to know. 178you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
179C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
155 180
156=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 181=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
157 182
158Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 183Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
159either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 184until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
185passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
186interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
187
160this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>. 188Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
189
190The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
191with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
161 192
162=item int ev_version_major () 193=item int ev_version_major ()
163 194
164=item int ev_version_minor () 195=item int ev_version_minor ()
165 196
176as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 207as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
177compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 208compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
178not a problem. 209not a problem.
179 210
180Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 211Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
181version. 212version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
213such as LFS or reentrancy).
182 214
183 assert (("libev version mismatch", 215 assert (("libev version mismatch",
184 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 216 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
185 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 217 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
186 218
197 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 229 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
198 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 230 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
199 231
200=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 232=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
201 233
202Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 234Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
203recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 235also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
236descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
204returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 237C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
205most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it 238and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
206(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 239you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
207libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 240probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
208 241
209=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 242=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
210 243
211Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This 244Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
212is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends 245value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
213might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at 246current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
214C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 247the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
215recommended ones. 248& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
216 249
217See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 250See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
218 251
219=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT] 252=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
220 253
221Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 254Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
222semantics 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
223used 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
224when 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
250 } 283 }
251 284
252 ... 285 ...
253 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 286 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
254 287
255=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT] 288=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
256 289
257Set 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
258as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 291as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
259indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 292indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
260callback 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
272 } 305 }
273 306
274 ... 307 ...
275 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 308 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
276 309
310=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
311
312This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
313safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
314handlers or random threads.
315
316Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
317in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
318by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
319creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
320mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
321C<ev_feed_signal>.
322
277=back 323=back
278 324
279=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 325=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
280 326
281An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *>. The library knows two 327An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
282types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which supports signals and child 328I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
283events, and dynamically created loops which do not. 329libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
330
331The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
332supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
333do not.
284 334
285=over 4 335=over 4
286 336
287=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 337=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
288 338
289This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 339This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
290yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 340normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
291false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 341the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
292flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 342C<ev_loop_new>.
343
344If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
345returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
346C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
347flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
348one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
293 349
294If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 350If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
295function. 351function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
296 352
297Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 353Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
298from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 354from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
299as loops cannot bes hared easily between threads anyway). 355that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
356threads anyway).
300 357
301The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 358The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
302C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 359and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
303for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either 360a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
304create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 361C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
305can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 362C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
306C<ev_default_init>. 363
364Example: This is the most typical usage.
365
366 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
367 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
368
369Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
370environment settings to be taken into account:
371
372 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
373
374=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
375
376This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
377could not be initialised, returns false.
378
379This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
380threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
381loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
307 382
308The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 383The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
309backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 384backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
310 385
311The following flags are supported: 386The following flags are supported:
326useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 401useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work
327around bugs. 402around bugs.
328 403
329=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 404=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
330 405
331Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after 406Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
332a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by 407make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
333enabling this flag.
334 408
335This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 409This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
336and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 410and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
337iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 411iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
338GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 412GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
344flag. 418flag.
345 419
346This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 420This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
347environment variable. 421environment variable.
348 422
423=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
424
425When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
426I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
427testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
428otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
429
430=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
431
432When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
433I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
434delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
435it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
436handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
437threads that are not interested in handling them.
438
439Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
440there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
441example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
442
443=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
444
445When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
446mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
447when you want to receive them.
448
449This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
450want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
451unblocking the signals.
452
453It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
454C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
455
456This flag's behaviour will become the default in future versions of libev.
457
349=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 458=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
350 459
351This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 460This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
352libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 461libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
353but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when 462but if that fails, expect a fairly low limit on the number of fds when
377This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and 486This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
378C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>. 487C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
379 488
380=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 489=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
381 490
491Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
492kernels).
493
382For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 494For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
383but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 495it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
384like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 496O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
385epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). The epoll design has a number 497fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
386of shortcomings, such as silently dropping events in some hard-to-detect 498
387cases and requiring a system call per fd change, no fork support and bad 499The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
388support for dup. 500of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
501dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
502descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
503returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
504(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
5050.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
506forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
507set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
508and is of course hard to detect.
509
510Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
511but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
512totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
513one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
514(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
515notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
516that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
517when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
518no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
519because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
520not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
521perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
522
523Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
524cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
525others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
389 526
390While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 527While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
391will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such incident 528will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
392(because the fd could point to a different file description now), so its 529incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
393best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors might not work 530I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
394very well if you register events for both fds. 531file descriptors might not work very well if you register events for both
395 532file descriptors.
396Please note that epoll sometimes generates spurious notifications, so you
397need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid blocking when no data
398(or space) is available.
399 533
400Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all 534Best performance from this backend is achieved by not unregistering all
401watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible, 535watchers for a file descriptor until it has been closed, if possible,
402i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and 536i.e. keep at least one watcher active per fd at all times. Stopping and
403starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause 537starting a watcher (without re-setting it) also usually doesn't cause
404extra overhead. 538extra overhead. A fork can both result in spurious notifications as well
539as in libev having to destroy and recreate the epoll object, which can
540take considerable time and thus should be avoided.
541
542All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
543faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
544the usage. So sad.
405 545
406While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 546While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
407all kernel versions tested so far. 547all kernel versions tested so far.
408 548
409This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 549This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
410C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 550C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
411 551
412=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 552=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
413 553
414Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it was 554Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it
415broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably with 555was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably
416anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course it's 556with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course
417completely useless). For this reason it's not being "auto-detected" unless 557it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness
418you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or 558is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed
419libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD. 559without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being
560"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using
561C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough)
562system like NetBSD.
420 563
421You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 564You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
422only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 565only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
423the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 566the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
424 567
425It 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
426kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 569kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
427course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 570course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
428cause 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
429two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad and it 572two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
573might have to leak fd's on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
430drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases. 574drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases
431 575
432This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 576This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
433 577
434While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 578While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
435everywhere, 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
436almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets 580almost everywhere, you should only use it when you have a lot of sockets
437(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop 581(for which it usually works), by embedding it into another event loop
438(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>) and, did I mention it, 582(e.g. C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> (but C<poll> is of course
439using it only for sockets. 583also broken on OS X)) and, did I mention it, using it only for sockets.
440 584
441This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with 585This backend maps C<EV_READ> into an C<EVFILT_READ> kevent with
442C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with 586C<NOTE_EOF>, and C<EV_WRITE> into an C<EVFILT_WRITE> kevent with
443C<NOTE_EOF>. 587C<NOTE_EOF>.
444 588
452=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 596=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
453 597
454This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 598This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
455it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 599it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
456 600
457Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
458notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
459blocking when no data (or space) is available.
460
461While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 601While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
462file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 602file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
463descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 603descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
464might perform better. 604might perform better.
465 605
466On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 606On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
467notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
468in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 607specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
469OS-specific backends. 608among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
609hacks).
610
611On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
612even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
613function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
614occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
615even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
616absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
617to re-arm the watcher.
618
619Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
470 620
471This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 621This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
472C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 622C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
473 623
474=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 624=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
475 625
476Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 626Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
477with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 627with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
478C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 628C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
479 629
480It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 630It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
631C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
632at all.
633
634=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
635
636Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
637C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
638value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
481 639
482=back 640=back
483 641
484If one or more of these are or'ed into the flags value, then only these 642If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
485backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed here). If none are 643then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
486specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends ()> will be tried. 644here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
487 645()> will be tried.
488Example: This is the most typical usage.
489
490 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
491 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
492
493Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
494environment settings to be taken into account:
495
496 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
497
498Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
499used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
500private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
501fds):
502
503 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
504
505=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
506
507Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
508always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
509handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
510undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
511
512Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
513libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
514default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
515 646
516Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 647Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
517 648
518 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 649 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
519 if (!epoller) 650 if (!epoller)
520 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 651 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
521 652
653Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
654used if available.
655
656 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
657
522=item ev_default_destroy () 658=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
523 659
524Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 660Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
525etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 661etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
526sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 662sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
527responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> 663responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
528calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 664calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
529the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 665the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
530for example). 666for example).
531 667
532Note that certain global state, such as signal state, will not be freed by 668Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
533this function, and related watchers (such as signal and child watchers) 669handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
534would need to be stopped manually. 670as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
535 671
536In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 672This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
537rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 673C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
674C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
675
676Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
677except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
538pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 678If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
539C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>). 679and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
540 680
541=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 681=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
542 682
543Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
544earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
545
546=item ev_default_fork ()
547
548This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations 683This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to
549to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 684reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the
550name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 685name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in
551the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little 686the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the
552sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev 687child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
553functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration. 688
689Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
690a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
691because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
692during fork.
554 693
555On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 694On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
556process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If 695process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
557you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all. 696you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
697call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
698difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
699costly reset of the backend).
558 700
559The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 701The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
560it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 702it just in case after a fork.
561quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
562 703
704Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
705using pthreads.
706
707 static void
708 post_fork_child (void)
709 {
710 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
711 }
712
713 ...
563 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 714 pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
564
565=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
566
567Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
568C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
569after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
570entirely your own problem.
571 715
572=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 716=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
573 717
574Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false 718Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
575otherwise. 719otherwise.
576 720
577=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 721=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
578 722
579Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 723Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
580the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 724to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
581happily wraps around with enough iterations. 725and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
582 726
583This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 727This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
584"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 728"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
585C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls. 729C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
730prepare and check phases.
731
732=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
733
734Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
735times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
736
737Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
738C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
739in which case it is higher.
740
741Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
742throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
743as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
744convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
586 745
587=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 746=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
588 747
589Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 748Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
590use. 749use.
599 758
600=item ev_now_update (loop) 759=item ev_now_update (loop)
601 760
602Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time 761Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
603returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and 762returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
604is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>. 763is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
605 764
606This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a 765This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
607very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of 766very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
608the current time is a good idea. 767the current time is a good idea.
609 768
610See also "The special problem of time updates" in the C<ev_timer> section. 769See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
611 770
771=item ev_suspend (loop)
772
773=item ev_resume (loop)
774
775These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
776loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
777
778A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
779the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
780would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
781the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
782in your C<SIGTSTP> handler, sending yourself a C<SIGSTOP> and calling
783C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
784
785Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
786between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
787will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
788occurred while suspended).
789
790After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
791given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
792without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
793
794Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
795event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
796
612=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 797=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
613 798
614Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 799Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
615after you initialised all your watchers and you want to start handling 800after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
616events. 801handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
802the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
803is why event loops are called I<loops>.
617 804
618If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 805If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
619either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 806until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
807called.
620 808
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").
812
621Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 813Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
622relying 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
623finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 815finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
624that 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
625of 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
626beauty. 818beauty.
627 819
820This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
821C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
822exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
823will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
824
628A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 825A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
629those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your 826those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
630process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of 827block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
631the loop. 828iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
829events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
632 830
633A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 831A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
634necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It 832necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
635will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could 833will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
636be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarentee that a 834be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
637user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one 835user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
638iteration of the loop. 836iteration of the loop.
639 837
640This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 838This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
641with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 839with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
642own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 840own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
643usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 841usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
644 842
645Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 843Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
844understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
845future versions):
646 846
847 - Increment loop depth.
848 - Reset the ev_break status.
647 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 849 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
850 LOOP:
648 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 851 - If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
649 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers. 852 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
650 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 853 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
854 - If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
651 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state 855 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
652 as to not disturb the other process. 856 as to not disturb the other process.
653 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 857 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
654 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()). 858 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
655 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 859 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
656 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 860 (active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
657 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 861 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
658 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 862 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
863 - Increment loop iteration counter.
659 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 864 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
660 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 865 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
661 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments. 866 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
662 - Queue all expired timers. 867 - Queue all expired timers.
663 - Queue all expired periodics. 868 - Queue all expired periodics.
664 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 869 - Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
665 - Queue all check watchers. 870 - Queue all check watchers.
666 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 871 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
667 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 872 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
668 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 873 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
669 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 874 - If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
670 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise 875 were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
671 continue with step *. 876 continue with step LOOP.
877 FINISH:
878 - Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
879 - Decrement the loop depth.
880 - Return.
672 881
673Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding 882Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
674anymore. 883anymore.
675 884
676 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 885 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
677 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 886 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
678 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 887 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
679 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 888 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
680 889
681=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 890=item ev_break (loop, how)
682 891
683Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 892Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
684has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 893has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
685C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 894C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
686C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 895C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
687 896
688This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 897This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
689 898
690It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls. 899It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
900which case it will have no effect.
691 901
692=item ev_ref (loop) 902=item ev_ref (loop)
693 903
694=item ev_unref (loop) 904=item ev_unref (loop)
695 905
696Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 906Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
697loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 907loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
698count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. 908count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
699 909
700If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> 910This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
701from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before 911unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
912returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
702stopping it. 913before stopping it.
703 914
704As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It is 915As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
705not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from exiting 916is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
706if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an excellent 917exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
707way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within third-party 918excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
708libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref before stop> 919third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
709(but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active before, 920before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
710respectively). 921before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
922(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
923in the callback).
711 924
712Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 925Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
713running when nothing else is active. 926running when nothing else is active.
714 927
715 struct ev_signal exitsig; 928 ev_signal exitsig;
716 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 929 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
717 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 930 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
718 evf_unref (loop); 931 ev_unref (loop);
719 932
720Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 933Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
721 934
722 ev_ref (loop); 935 ev_ref (loop);
723 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 936 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
743overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 956overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
744 957
745By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 958By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
746time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 959time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
747at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 960at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
748C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 961C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
749introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. 962introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
963sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
964once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
965good enough).
750 966
751Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 967Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
752to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 968to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
753latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called 969latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
754later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null 970later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
756 972
757Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect 973Many (busy) programs can usually benefit by setting the I/O collect
758interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for 974interval to a value near C<0.1> or so, which is often enough for
759interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It 975interactive servers (of course not for games), likewise for timeouts. It
760usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 976usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
761as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. 977as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
978you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
979parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
980need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
981then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
762 982
763Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for 983Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
764saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that 984saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
765are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of 985are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
766times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to 986times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
767reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure 987reduce iterations/wake-ups is to use C<ev_periodic> watchers and make sure
768they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only. 988they fire on, say, one-second boundaries only.
769 989
990Example: we only need 0.1s timeout granularity, and we wish not to poll
991more often than 100 times per second:
992
993 ev_set_timeout_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.1);
994 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
995
996=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
997
998This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
999pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
1000but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
1001function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
1002when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
1003event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
1004thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
1005
1006=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
1007
1008Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
1009are pending.
1010
1011=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
1012
1013This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
1014invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
1015this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
1016invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
1017
1018If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
1019callback.
1020
1021=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
1022
1023Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
1024can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
1025each call to a libev function.
1026
1027However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
1028to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
1029loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
1030I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
1031
1032When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
1033suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
1034afterwards.
1035
1036Ideally, C<release> will just call your mutex_unlock function, and
1037C<acquire> will just call the mutex_lock function again.
1038
1039While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
1040C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
1041modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
1042have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
1043waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
1044to take note of any changes you made.
1045
1046In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
1047invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
1048
1049See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
1050document.
1051
1052=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
1053
1054=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
1055
1056Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
1057C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
1058C<0>.
1059
1060These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
1061and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
1062C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
1063any other purpose as well.
1064
770=item ev_loop_verify (loop) 1065=item ev_verify (loop)
771 1066
772This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been 1067This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
773compiled in. which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go 1068compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
774through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything 1069through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
775is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard 1070is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
776error and call C<abort ()>. 1071error and call C<abort ()>.
777 1072
778This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal 1073This can be used to catch bugs inside libev itself: under normal
782=back 1077=back
783 1078
784 1079
785=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER 1080=head1 ANATOMY OF A WATCHER
786 1081
1082In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
1083watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
1084watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
1085
787A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 1086A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
788interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 1087your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
789become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 1088to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
1089for that:
790 1090
791 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1091 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
792 { 1092 {
793 ev_io_stop (w); 1093 ev_io_stop (w);
794 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1094 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
795 } 1095 }
796 1096
797 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 1097 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
1098
798 struct ev_io stdin_watcher; 1099 ev_io stdin_watcher;
1100
799 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 1101 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
800 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1102 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
801 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 1103 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
1104
802 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1105 ev_run (loop, 0);
803 1106
804As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 1107As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
805watcher structures (and it is usually a bad idea to do this on the stack, 1108watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
806although this can sometimes be quite valid). 1109stack).
807 1110
1111Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
1112or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
1113
808Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1114Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
809(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1115*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
810callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O 1116invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
811watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1117time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
812is readable and/or writable). 1118and/or writable).
813 1119
814Each watcher type has its own C<< ev_<type>_set (watcher *, ...) >> macro 1120Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
815with arguments specific to this watcher type. There is also a macro 1121macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
816to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< ev_<type>_init 1122is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
817(watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1123ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
818 1124
819To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it 1125To make the watcher actually watch out for events, you have to start it
820with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_<type>_start (loop, watcher 1126with a watcher-specific start function (C<< ev_TYPE_start (loop, watcher
821*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the 1127*) >>), and you can stop watching for events at any time by calling the
822corresponding stop function (C<< ev_<type>_stop (loop, watcher *) >>. 1128corresponding stop function (C<< ev_TYPE_stop (loop, watcher *) >>.
823 1129
824As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you 1130As long as your watcher is active (has been started but not stopped) you
825must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never 1131must not touch the values stored in it. Most specifically you must never
826reinitialise it or call its C<set> macro. 1132reinitialise it or call its C<ev_TYPE_set> macro.
827 1133
828Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the 1134Each and every callback receives the event loop pointer as first, the
829registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as 1135registered watcher structure as second, and a bitset of received events as
830third argument. 1136third argument.
831 1137
840=item C<EV_WRITE> 1146=item C<EV_WRITE>
841 1147
842The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or 1148The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
843writable. 1149writable.
844 1150
845=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> 1151=item C<EV_TIMER>
846 1152
847The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out. 1153The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
848 1154
849=item C<EV_PERIODIC> 1155=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
850 1156
868 1174
869=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1175=item C<EV_PREPARE>
870 1176
871=item C<EV_CHECK> 1177=item C<EV_CHECK>
872 1178
873All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts 1179All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
874to 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)
875C<ev_loop> 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
876received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1187Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
877many 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
878(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
879C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1190blocking).
880 1191
881=item C<EV_EMBED> 1192=item C<EV_EMBED>
882 1193
883The 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.
884 1195
885=item C<EV_FORK> 1196=item C<EV_FORK>
886 1197
887The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 1198The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
888C<ev_fork>). 1199C<ev_fork>).
889 1200
1201=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
1202
1203The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
1204
890=item C<EV_ASYNC> 1205=item C<EV_ASYNC>
891 1206
892The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 1207The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1208
1209=item C<EV_CUSTOM>
1210
1211Not ever sent (or otherwise used) by libev itself, but can be freely used
1212by libev users to signal watchers (e.g. via C<ev_feed_event>).
893 1213
894=item C<EV_ERROR> 1214=item C<EV_ERROR>
895 1215
896An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might 1216An unspecified error has occurred, the watcher has been stopped. This might
897happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev 1217happen because the watcher could not be properly started because libev
898ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other 1218ran out of memory, a file descriptor was found to be closed or any other
1219problem. Libev considers these application bugs.
1220
899problem. You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping 1221You best act on it by reporting the problem and somehow coping with the
900with the watcher being stopped. 1222watcher being stopped. Note that well-written programs should not receive
1223an error ever, so when your watcher receives it, this usually indicates a
1224bug in your program.
901 1225
902Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for 1226Libev will usually signal a few "dummy" events together with an error, for
903example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your 1227example it might indicate that a fd is readable or writable, and if your
904callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with 1228callbacks is well-written it can just attempt the operation and cope with
905the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded 1229the error from read() or write(). This will not work in multi-threaded
908 1232
909=back 1233=back
910 1234
911=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS 1235=head2 GENERIC WATCHER FUNCTIONS
912 1236
913In the following description, C<TYPE> stands for the watcher type,
914e.g. C<timer> for C<ev_timer> watchers and C<io> for C<ev_io> watchers.
915
916=over 4 1237=over 4
917 1238
918=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1239=item C<ev_init> (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
919 1240
920This macro initialises the generic portion of a watcher. The contents 1241This macro initialises the generic portion of a watcher. The contents
925which rolls both calls into one. 1246which rolls both calls into one.
926 1247
927You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped 1248You can reinitialise a watcher at any time as long as it has been stopped
928(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding. 1249(or never started) and there are no pending events outstanding.
929 1250
930The callback is always of type C<void (*)(ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, 1251The callback is always of type C<void (*)(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_TYPE *watcher,
931int revents)>. 1252int revents)>.
932 1253
933Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps. 1254Example: Initialise an C<ev_io> watcher in two steps.
934 1255
935 ev_io w; 1256 ev_io w;
936 ev_init (&w, my_cb); 1257 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
937 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1258 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
938 1259
939=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1260=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
940 1261
941This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1262This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
942call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1263call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
943call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1264call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
944macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1265macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
957 1278
958Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step. 1279Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
959 1280
960 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1281 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
961 1282
962=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1283=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
963 1284
964Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1285Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
965events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1286events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
966 1287
967Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this 1288Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
968whole section. 1289whole section.
969 1290
970 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w); 1291 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
971 1292
972=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1293=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
973 1294
974Stops the given watcher again (if active) and clears the pending 1295Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1296the watcher was active or not).
1297
975status. It is possible that stopped watchers are pending (for example, 1298It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
976non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending), but 1299non-repeating timers are being stopped when they become pending - but
977C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor pending. If 1300calling C<ev_TYPE_stop> ensures that the watcher is neither active nor
978you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is therefore a 1301pending. If you want to free or reuse the memory used by the watcher it is
979good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. 1302therefore a good idea to always call its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function.
980 1303
981=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1304=item bool ev_is_active (ev_TYPE *watcher)
982 1305
983Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started 1306Returns a true value iff the watcher is active (i.e. it has been started
984and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify 1307and not yet been stopped). As long as a watcher is active you must not modify
995 1318
996=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1319=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
997 1320
998Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1321Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
999 1322
1000=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1323=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1001 1324
1002Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1325Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1003(modulo threads). 1326(modulo threads).
1004 1327
1005=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1328=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1006 1329
1007=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1330=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1008 1331
1009Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1332Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1010integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1333integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1011(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked 1334(default: C<-2>). Pending watchers with higher priority will be invoked
1012before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers 1335before watchers with lower priority, but priority will not keep watchers
1013from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers). 1336from being executed (except for C<ev_idle> watchers).
1014 1337
1015This means that priorities are I<only> used for ordering callback
1016invocation after new events have been received. This is useful, for
1017example, to reduce latency after idling, or more often, to bind two
1018watchers on the same event and make sure one is called first.
1019
1020If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending 1338If you need to suppress invocation when higher priority events are pending
1021you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality. 1339you need to look at C<ev_idle> watchers, which provide this functionality.
1022 1340
1023You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or 1341You I<must not> change the priority of a watcher as long as it is active or
1024pending. 1342pending.
1025 1343
1344Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is
1345fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might
1346or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1347
1026The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1348The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1027always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1349always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1028 1350
1029Setting a priority outside the range of C<EV_MINPRI> to C<EV_MAXPRI> is 1351See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1030fine, as long as you do not mind that the priority value you query might 1352priorities.
1031or might not have been adjusted to be within valid range.
1032 1353
1033=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1354=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1034 1355
1035Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1356Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1036C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback 1357C<loop> nor C<revents> need to be valid as long as the watcher callback
1044watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1365watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1045 1366
1046Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its 1367Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1047callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function. 1368callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1048 1369
1370=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1371
1372Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1373had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1374initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1375not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1376
1377Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1378C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1379not started in the first place.
1380
1381See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1382functions that do not need a watcher.
1383
1049=back 1384=back
1050 1385
1386See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
1387OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1051 1388
1052=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1389=head2 WATCHER STATES
1053 1390
1054Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1391There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1055and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1392active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1056to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1393transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1057don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1394rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1058member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1059data:
1060 1395
1061 struct my_io 1396=over 4
1397
1398=item initialiased
1399
1400Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
1401initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1402C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1403
1404In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
1405use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
1406will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
1407C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
1408
1409=item started/running/active
1410
1411Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1412property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1413this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
1414freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
1415and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
1416
1417=item pending
1418
1419If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
1420in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
1421stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
1422about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
1423callback.
1424
1425The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
1426an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
1427is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
1428but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
1429moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
1430previous item still apply.
1431
1432It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
1433via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
1434active.
1435
1436=item stopped
1437
1438A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
1439be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
1440latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1441of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1442freeing it is often a good idea.
1443
1444While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1445initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1446you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
1447it again).
1448
1449=back
1450
1451=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1452
1453Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1454integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1455between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1456
1457In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1458description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1459range.
1460
1461There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1462by event loops:
1463
1464In the more common lock-out model, higher priorities "lock out" invocation
1465of lower priority watchers, which means as long as higher priority
1466watchers receive events, lower priority watchers are not being invoked.
1467
1468The less common only-for-ordering model uses priorities solely to order
1469callback invocation within a single event loop iteration: Higher priority
1470watchers are invoked before lower priority ones, but they all get invoked
1471before polling for new events.
1472
1473Libev uses the second (only-for-ordering) model for all its watchers
1474except for idle watchers (which use the lock-out model).
1475
1476The rationale behind this is that implementing the lock-out model for
1477watchers is not well supported by most kernel interfaces, and most event
1478libraries will just poll for the same events again and again as long as
1479their callbacks have not been executed, which is very inefficient in the
1480common case of one high-priority watcher locking out a mass of lower
1481priority ones.
1482
1483Static (ordering) priorities are most useful when you have two or more
1484watchers handling the same resource: a typical usage example is having an
1485C<ev_io> watcher to receive data, and an associated C<ev_timer> to handle
1486timeouts. Under load, data might be received while the program handles
1487other jobs, but since timers normally get invoked first, the timeout
1488handler will be executed before checking for data. In that case, giving
1489the timer a lower priority than the I/O watcher ensures that I/O will be
1490handled first even under adverse conditions (which is usually, but not
1491always, what you want).
1492
1493Since idle watchers use the "lock-out" model, meaning that idle watchers
1494will only be executed when no same or higher priority watchers have
1495received events, they can be used to implement the "lock-out" model when
1496required.
1497
1498For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1499you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1500the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1501processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1502continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1503the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1504workable.
1505
1506Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1507miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1508it might be preferable to stop the real watcher before starting the
1509idle watcher, so the kernel will not have to process the event in case
1510the actual processing will be delayed for considerable time.
1511
1512Here is an example of an I/O watcher that should run at a strictly lower
1513priority than the default, and which should only process data when no
1514other events are pending:
1515
1516 ev_idle idle; // actual processing watcher
1517 ev_io io; // actual event watcher
1518
1519 static void
1520 io_cb (EV_P_ ev_io *w, int revents)
1062 { 1521 {
1063 struct ev_io io; 1522 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1064 int otherfd; 1523 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1065 void *somedata; 1524 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1066 struct whatever *mostinteresting; 1525
1526 // start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
1527 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1528 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1529 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1067 }; 1530 }
1068 1531
1069 ... 1532 static void
1070 struct my_io w; 1533 idle_cb (EV_P_ ev_idle *w, int revents)
1071 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1072
1073And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
1074can cast it back to your own type:
1075
1076 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w_, int revents)
1077 { 1534 {
1078 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1535 // actual processing
1079 ... 1536 read (STDIN_FILENO, ...);
1537
1538 // have to start the I/O watcher again, as
1539 // we have handled the event
1540 ev_io_start (EV_P_ &io);
1080 } 1541 }
1081 1542
1082More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1543 // initialisation
1083instead have been omitted. 1544 ev_idle_init (&idle, idle_cb);
1545 ev_io_init (&io, io_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1546 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &io);
1084 1547
1085Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple 1548In the "real" world, it might also be beneficial to start a timer, so that
1086embedded watchers: 1549low-priority connections can not be locked out forever under load. This
1087 1550enables your program to keep a lower latency for important connections
1088 struct my_biggy 1551during short periods of high load, while not completely locking out less
1089 { 1552important ones.
1090 int some_data;
1091 ev_timer t1;
1092 ev_timer t2;
1093 }
1094
1095In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
1096complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct
1097in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use
1098some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real
1099programmers):
1100
1101 #include <stddef.h>
1102
1103 static void
1104 t1_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1105 {
1106 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1107 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1108 }
1109
1110 static void
1111 t2_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_timer *w, int revents)
1112 {
1113 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *
1114 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
1115 }
1116 1553
1117 1554
1118=head1 WATCHER TYPES 1555=head1 WATCHER TYPES
1119 1556
1120This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat 1557This section describes each watcher in detail, but will not repeat
1144In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1581In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1145fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1582fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1146descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1583descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1147required if you know what you are doing). 1584required if you know what you are doing).
1148 1585
1149If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1150known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1151C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>).
1152
1153Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1586Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1154receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1587receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1155be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1588be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1156because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1589because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1157lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1590with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1158this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1591use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1159it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1160C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1592preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1161 1593
1162If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should 1594If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1163not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately 1595not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1164re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good 1596re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1165interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already 1597interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1166does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally 1598this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1167use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block 1599use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1168indefinitely. 1600indefinitely.
1169 1601
1170But really, best use non-blocking mode. 1602But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1171 1603
1199 1631
1200There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1632There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1201for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1633for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1202C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1634C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1203 1635
1636=head3 The special problem of files
1637
1638Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1639representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1640doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1641
1642However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1643notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1644there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1645always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1646write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1647
1648Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1649devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1650on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1651will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1652wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1653
1654Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1655mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1656to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1657convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1658usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1659(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1660F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1661asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1662it "just works" instead of freezing.
1663
1664So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1665libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1666when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1667reuse the same code path.
1668
1204=head3 The special problem of fork 1669=head3 The special problem of fork
1205 1670
1206Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1671Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit
1207useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1672useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about
1208it in the child. 1673it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the child.
1209 1674
1210To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1675To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1211C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1676()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1212enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1677C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1213C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1214 1678
1215=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1679=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1216 1680
1217While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>: 1681While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1218when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets 1682when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1221 1685
1222So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you 1686So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1223ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon 1687ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1224somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue). 1688somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1225 1689
1690=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
1691
1692Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
1693found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
1694connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
1695
1696For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
1697of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
1698rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
1699the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
1700typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
1701
1702Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
1703operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
1704situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
1705cope with overload is known (to me).
1706
1707One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
1708- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
1709situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
1710event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
1711
1712A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
1713C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
1714messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
1715what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
1716the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
1717usage.
1718
1719If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
1720descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
1721when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
1722close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
1723clients under typical overload conditions.
1724
1725The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
1726is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
1727opportunity for a DoS attack.
1226 1728
1227=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1729=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1228 1730
1229=over 4 1731=over 4
1230 1732
1251Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well 1753Example: Call C<stdin_readable_cb> when STDIN_FILENO has become, well
1252readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could 1754readable, but only once. Since it is likely line-buffered, you could
1253attempt to read a whole line in the callback. 1755attempt to read a whole line in the callback.
1254 1756
1255 static void 1757 static void
1256 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 1758 stdin_readable_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
1257 { 1759 {
1258 ev_io_stop (loop, w); 1760 ev_io_stop (loop, w);
1259 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors 1761 .. read from stdin here (or from w->fd) and handle any I/O errors
1260 } 1762 }
1261 1763
1262 ... 1764 ...
1263 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1765 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1264 struct ev_io stdin_readable; 1766 ev_io stdin_readable;
1265 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1767 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1266 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1768 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1267 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1769 ev_run (loop, 0);
1268 1770
1269 1771
1270=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1772=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1271 1773
1272Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1774Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1277year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because 1779year, it will still time out after (roughly) one hour. "Roughly" because
1278detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1780detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1279monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1781monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1280 1782
1281The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1783The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1282passed, but if multiple timers become ready during the same loop iteration 1784passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1283then order of execution is undefined. 1785might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
1786early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1787iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1788ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1789longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1790
1791=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1792
1793Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1794recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1795you want to raise some error after a while.
1796
1797What follows are some ways to handle this problem, from obvious and
1798inefficient to smart and efficient.
1799
1800In the following, a 60 second activity timeout is assumed - a timeout that
1801gets reset to 60 seconds each time there is activity (e.g. each time some
1802data or other life sign was received).
1803
1804=over 4
1805
1806=item 1. Use a timer and stop, reinitialise and start it on activity.
1807
1808This is the most obvious, but not the most simple way: In the beginning,
1809start the watcher:
1810
1811 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 60., 0.);
1812 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1813
1814Then, each time there is some activity, C<ev_timer_stop> it, initialise it
1815and start it again:
1816
1817 ev_timer_stop (loop, timer);
1818 ev_timer_set (timer, 60., 0.);
1819 ev_timer_start (loop, timer);
1820
1821This is relatively simple to implement, but means that each time there is
1822some activity, libev will first have to remove the timer from its internal
1823data structure and then add it again. Libev tries to be fast, but it's
1824still not a constant-time operation.
1825
1826=item 2. Use a timer and re-start it with C<ev_timer_again> inactivity.
1827
1828This is the easiest way, and involves using C<ev_timer_again> instead of
1829C<ev_timer_start>.
1830
1831To implement this, configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value
1832of C<60> and then call C<ev_timer_again> at start and each time you
1833successfully read or write some data. If you go into an idle state where
1834you do not expect data to travel on the socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop>
1835the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will automatically restart it if need be.
1836
1837That means you can ignore both the C<ev_timer_start> function and the
1838C<after> argument to C<ev_timer_set>, and only ever use the C<repeat>
1839member and C<ev_timer_again>.
1840
1841At start:
1842
1843 ev_init (timer, callback);
1844 timer->repeat = 60.;
1845 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1846
1847Each time there is some activity:
1848
1849 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1850
1851It is even possible to change the time-out on the fly, regardless of
1852whether the watcher is active or not:
1853
1854 timer->repeat = 30.;
1855 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1856
1857This is slightly more efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time
1858you want to modify its timeout value, as libev does not have to completely
1859remove and re-insert the timer from/into its internal data structure.
1860
1861It is, however, even simpler than the "obvious" way to do it.
1862
1863=item 3. Let the timer time out, but then re-arm it as required.
1864
1865This method is more tricky, but usually most efficient: Most timeouts are
1866relatively long compared to the intervals between other activity - in
1867our example, within 60 seconds, there are usually many I/O events with
1868associated activity resets.
1869
1870In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1871but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1872within the callback:
1873
1874 ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1875 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1876 ev_timer timer;
1877
1878 static void
1879 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1880 {
1881 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1882 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1883
1884 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1885 if (after < 0.)
1886 {
1887 // timeout occurred, take action
1888 }
1889 else
1890 {
1891 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1892 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1893 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1894 // the timeout can occur.
1895 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1896 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1897 }
1898 }
1899
1900To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1901timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1902C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1903(EV_A)> from that).
1904
1905If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1906timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
1907
1908Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
1909and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
1910
1911In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
1912the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
1913again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1914
1915This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1916minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1917libev to change the timeout.
1918
1919To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1920C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1921now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
1922the timer:
1923
1924 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1925 ev_init (&timer, callback);
1926 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1927
1928When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1929C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1930
1931 if (activity detected)
1932 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1933
1934When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
1935providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
1936will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
1937
1938 timeout = new_value;
1939 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
1940 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1941
1942This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1943time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1944
1945=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1946
1947If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1948employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1949do even better:
1950
1951When starting the timeout, calculate the timeout value and put the timeout
1952at the I<end> of the list.
1953
1954Then use an C<ev_timer> to fire when the timeout at the I<beginning> of
1955the list is expected to fire (for example, using the technique #3).
1956
1957When there is some activity, remove the timer from the list, recalculate
1958the timeout, append it to the end of the list again, and make sure to
1959update the C<ev_timer> if it was taken from the beginning of the list.
1960
1961This way, one can manage an unlimited number of timeouts in O(1) time for
1962starting, stopping and updating the timers, at the expense of a major
1963complication, and having to use a constant timeout. The constant timeout
1964ensures that the list stays sorted.
1965
1966=back
1967
1968So which method the best?
1969
1970Method #2 is a simple no-brain-required solution that is adequate in most
1971situations. Method #3 requires a bit more thinking, but handles many cases
1972better, and isn't very complicated either. In most case, choosing either
1973one is fine, with #3 being better in typical situations.
1974
1975Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1976rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1977off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1978overkill :)
1979
1980=head3 The special problem of being too early
1981
1982If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
1983you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
1984cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
1985guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
1986process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
1987
1988So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
1989delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
1990
1991A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
1992loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
1993this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
1994expect.
1995
1996To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
1997resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
1998yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
1999event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
2000(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
2001
2002If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
2003501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
2004one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
2005intentions.
2006
2007This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
2008delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
2009larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
2010the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
2011
2012So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
2013exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
2014delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
2015late" side of things.
1284 2016
1285=head3 The special problem of time updates 2017=head3 The special problem of time updates
1286 2018
1287Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 2019Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
1288least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 2020at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1289time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a 2021time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1290growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 2022growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1291lots of events in one iteration. 2023lots of events in one iteration.
1292 2024
1293The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2025The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1294time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 2026time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1300 2032
1301If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 2033If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1302update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 2034update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1303()>. 2035()>.
1304 2036
2037=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2038
2039Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2040"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2041jumps).
2042
2043Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
2044on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
2045than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
2046a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
2047than a directly following call to C<time>.
2048
2049The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
2050C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
2051a second or so.
2052
2053One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
2054the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
2055or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
2056invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
2057
2058This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
2059libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
2060I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
2061
2062If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
2063connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
2064exactly the right behaviour.
2065
2066If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
2067you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
2068time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
2069
2070=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
2071
2072When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
2073can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
2074
2075Some quick tests made with a Linux 2.6.28 indicate that a suspend freezes
2076all processes, while the clocks (C<times>, C<CLOCK_MONOTONIC>) continue
2077to run until the system is suspended, but they will not advance while the
2078system is suspended. That means, on resume, it will be as if the program
2079was frozen for a few seconds, but the suspend time will not be counted
2080towards C<ev_timer> when a monotonic clock source is used. The real time
2081clock advanced as expected, but if it is used as sole clocksource, then a
2082long suspend would be detected as a time jump by libev, and timers would
2083be adjusted accordingly.
2084
2085I would not be surprised to see different behaviour in different between
2086operating systems, OS versions or even different hardware.
2087
2088The other form of suspend (job control, or sending a SIGSTOP) will see a
2089time jump in the monotonic clocks and the realtime clock. If the program
2090is suspended for a very long time, and monotonic clock sources are in use,
2091then you can expect C<ev_timer>s to expire as the full suspension time
2092will be counted towards the timers. When no monotonic clock source is in
2093use, then libev will again assume a timejump and adjust accordingly.
2094
2095It might be beneficial for this latter case to call C<ev_suspend>
2096and C<ev_resume> in code that handles C<SIGTSTP>, to at least get
2097deterministic behaviour in this case (you can do nothing against
2098C<SIGSTOP>).
2099
1305=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2100=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1306 2101
1307=over 4 2102=over 4
1308 2103
1309=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2104=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1322keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2117keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1323do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2118do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1324 2119
1325=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2120=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1326 2121
1327This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 2122This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
1328repeating. The exact semantics are: 2123repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2124timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
1329 2125
2126The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2127applied to the watcher:
2128
2129=over 4
2130
1330If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2131=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
1331 2132
1332If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2133=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
2134out, without invoking it).
1333 2135
1334If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 2136=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
1335C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2137and start the timer, if necessary.
1336 2138
1337This sounds a bit complicated, but here is a useful and typical 2139=back
1338example: Imagine you have a TCP connection and you want a so-called idle
1339timeout, that is, you want to be called when there have been, say, 60
1340seconds of inactivity on the socket. The easiest way to do this is to
1341configure an C<ev_timer> with a C<repeat> value of C<60> and then call
1342C<ev_timer_again> each time you successfully read or write some data. If
1343you go into an idle state where you do not expect data to travel on the
1344socket, you can C<ev_timer_stop> the timer, and C<ev_timer_again> will
1345automatically restart it if need be.
1346 2140
1347That means you can ignore the C<after> value and C<ev_timer_start> 2141This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1348altogether and only ever use the C<repeat> value and C<ev_timer_again>: 2142usage example.
1349 2143
1350 ev_timer_init (timer, callback, 0., 5.); 2144=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1351 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1352 ...
1353 timer->again = 17.;
1354 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1355 ...
1356 timer->again = 10.;
1357 ev_timer_again (loop, timer);
1358 2145
1359This is more slightly efficient then stopping/starting the timer each time 2146Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1360you want to modify its timeout value. 2147then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
2148the timeout value currently configured.
1361 2149
1362Note, however, that it is often even more efficient to remember the 2150That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1363time of the last activity and let the timer time-out naturally. In the 2151C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
1364callback, you then check whether the time-out is real, or, if there was 2152will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
1365some activity, you reschedule the watcher to time-out in "last_activity + 2153roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
1366timeout - ev_now ()" seconds. 2154too), and so on.
1367 2155
1368=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 2156=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1369 2157
1370The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out 2158The current C<repeat> value. Will be used each time the watcher times out
1371or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any), 2159or C<ev_timer_again> is called, and determines the next timeout (if any),
1376=head3 Examples 2164=head3 Examples
1377 2165
1378Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds. 2166Example: Create a timer that fires after 60 seconds.
1379 2167
1380 static void 2168 static void
1381 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 2169 one_minute_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1382 { 2170 {
1383 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here 2171 .. one minute over, w is actually stopped right here
1384 } 2172 }
1385 2173
1386 struct ev_timer mytimer; 2174 ev_timer mytimer;
1387 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.); 2175 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, one_minute_cb, 60., 0.);
1388 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer); 2176 ev_timer_start (loop, &mytimer);
1389 2177
1390Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of 2178Example: Create a timeout timer that times out after 10 seconds of
1391inactivity. 2179inactivity.
1392 2180
1393 static void 2181 static void
1394 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_timer *w, int revents) 2182 timeout_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int revents)
1395 { 2183 {
1396 .. ten seconds without any activity 2184 .. ten seconds without any activity
1397 } 2185 }
1398 2186
1399 struct ev_timer mytimer; 2187 ev_timer mytimer;
1400 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 2188 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1401 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 2189 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1402 ev_loop (loop, 0); 2190 ev_run (loop, 0);
1403 2191
1404 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 2192 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1405 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 2193 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1406 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 2194 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1407 2195
1409=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron? 2197=head2 C<ev_periodic> - to cron or not to cron?
1410 2198
1411Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 2199Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1412(and unfortunately a bit complex). 2200(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1413 2201
1414Unlike C<ev_timer>'s, they are not based on real time (or relative time) 2202Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1415but on wall clock time (absolute time). You can tell a periodic watcher 2203relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1416to trigger after some specific point in time. For example, if you tell a 2204(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The
1417periodic watcher to trigger in 10 seconds (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () 2205difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1418+ 10.>, that is, an absolute time not a delay) and then reset your system 2206time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1419clock to January of the previous year, then it will take more than year 2207wrist-watch).
1420to trigger the event (unlike an C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger
1421roughly 10 seconds later as it uses a relative timeout).
1422 2208
2209You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
2210in time: for example, if you tell a periodic watcher to trigger "in 10
2211seconds" (by specifying e.g. C<ev_now () + 10.>, that is, an absolute time
2212not a delay) and then reset your system clock to January of the previous
2213year, then it will take a year or more to trigger the event (unlike an
2214C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
2215it, as it uses a relative timeout).
2216
1423C<ev_periodic>s can also be used to implement vastly more complex timers, 2217C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1424such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or other 2218timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1425complicated rules. 2219other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as
2220those cannot react to time jumps.
1426 2221
1427As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the 2222As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1428time (C<at>) has passed, but if multiple periodic timers become ready 2223point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1429during the same loop iteration, then order of execution is undefined. 2224timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
2225earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
2226(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1430 2227
1431=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2228=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1432 2229
1433=over 4 2230=over 4
1434 2231
1435=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp at, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb) 2232=item ev_periodic_init (ev_periodic *, callback, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1436 2233
1437=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat, reschedule_cb) 2234=item ev_periodic_set (ev_periodic *, ev_tstamp offset, ev_tstamp interval, reschedule_cb)
1438 2235
1439Lots of arguments, lets sort it out... There are basically three modes of 2236Lots of arguments, let's sort it out... There are basically three modes of
1440operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex: 2237operation, and we will explain them from simplest to most complex:
1441 2238
1442=over 4 2239=over 4
1443 2240
1444=item * absolute timer (at = time, interval = reschedule_cb = 0) 2241=item * absolute timer (offset = absolute time, interval = 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1445 2242
1446In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock 2243In this configuration the watcher triggers an event after the wall clock
1447time C<at> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a time 2244time C<offset> has passed. It will not repeat and will not adjust when a
1448jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it will 2245time jump occurs, that is, if it is to be run at January 1st 2011 then it
1449only run when the system clock reaches or surpasses this time. 2246will be stopped and invoked when the system clock reaches or surpasses
2247this point in time.
1450 2248
1451=item * repeating interval timer (at = offset, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0) 2249=item * repeating interval timer (offset = offset within interval, interval > 0, reschedule_cb = 0)
1452 2250
1453In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next 2251In this mode the watcher will always be scheduled to time out at the next
1454C<at + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be negative) 2252C<offset + N * interval> time (for some integer N, which can also be
1455and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. 2253negative) and then repeat, regardless of any time jumps. The C<offset>
2254argument is merely an offset into the C<interval> periods.
1456 2255
1457This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the 2256This can be used to create timers that do not drift with respect to the
1458system clock, for example, here is a C<ev_periodic> that triggers each 2257system clock, for example, here is an C<ev_periodic> that triggers each
1459hour, on the hour: 2258hour, on the hour (with respect to UTC):
1460 2259
1461 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0); 2260 ev_periodic_set (&periodic, 0., 3600., 0);
1462 2261
1463This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers, 2262This doesn't mean there will always be 3600 seconds in between triggers,
1464but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a 2263but only that the callback will be called when the system time shows a
1465full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible 2264full hour (UTC), or more correctly, when the system time is evenly divisible
1466by 3600. 2265by 3600.
1467 2266
1468Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2267Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1469C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2268C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1470time where C<time = at (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2269time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1471 2270
1472For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<at> value is near 2271The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
1473C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2272interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
1474this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2273microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2274at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2275ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2276C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
1475 2277
1476Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2278Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1477speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2279speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1478will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2280will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1479millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2281millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
1480 2282
1481=item * manual reschedule mode (at and interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback) 2283=item * manual reschedule mode (offset ignored, interval ignored, reschedule_cb = callback)
1482 2284
1483In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<at> are both being 2285In this mode the values for C<interval> and C<offset> are both being
1484ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the 2286ignored. Instead, each time the periodic watcher gets scheduled, the
1485reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the 2287reschedule callback will be called with the watcher as first, and the
1486current time as second argument. 2288current time as second argument.
1487 2289
1488NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, 2290NOTE: I<This callback MUST NOT stop or destroy any periodic watcher, ever,
1489ever, or make ANY event loop modifications whatsoever>. 2291or make ANY other event loop modifications whatsoever, unless explicitly
2292allowed by documentation here>.
1490 2293
1491If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop 2294If you need to stop it, return C<now + 1e30> (or so, fudge fudge) and stop
1492it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the 2295it afterwards (e.g. by starting an C<ev_prepare> watcher, which is the
1493only event loop modification you are allowed to do). 2296only event loop modification you are allowed to do).
1494 2297
1495The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic 2298The callback prototype is C<ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic
1496*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.: 2299*w, ev_tstamp now)>, e.g.:
1497 2300
2301 static ev_tstamp
1498 static ev_tstamp my_rescheduler (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2302 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1499 { 2303 {
1500 return now + 60.; 2304 return now + 60.;
1501 } 2305 }
1502 2306
1503It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value 2307It must return the next time to trigger, based on the passed time value
1523a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like 2327a different time than the last time it was called (e.g. in a crond like
1524program when the crontabs have changed). 2328program when the crontabs have changed).
1525 2329
1526=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *) 2330=item ev_tstamp ev_periodic_at (ev_periodic *)
1527 2331
1528When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed to 2332When active, returns the absolute time that the watcher is supposed
1529trigger next. 2333to trigger next. This is not the same as the C<offset> argument to
2334C<ev_periodic_set>, but indeed works even in interval and manual
2335rescheduling modes.
1530 2336
1531=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write] 2337=item ev_tstamp offset [read-write]
1532 2338
1533When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the 2339When repeating, this contains the offset value, otherwise this is the
1534absolute point in time (the C<at> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>). 2340absolute point in time (the C<offset> value passed to C<ev_periodic_set>,
2341although libev might modify this value for better numerical stability).
1535 2342
1536Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic 2343Can be modified any time, but changes only take effect when the periodic
1537timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 2344timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1538 2345
1539=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write] 2346=item ev_tstamp interval [read-write]
1540 2347
1541The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only 2348The current interval value. Can be modified any time, but changes only
1542take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being 2349take effect when the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being
1543called. 2350called.
1544 2351
1545=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write] 2352=item ev_tstamp (*reschedule_cb)(ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) [read-write]
1546 2353
1547The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is 2354The current reschedule callback, or C<0>, if this functionality is
1548switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when 2355switched off. Can be changed any time, but changes only take effect when
1549the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called. 2356the periodic timer fires or C<ev_periodic_again> is being called.
1550 2357
1555Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2362Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
1556system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2363system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
1557potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability. 2364potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
1558 2365
1559 static void 2366 static void
1560 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_io *w, int revents) 2367 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
1561 { 2368 {
1562 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2369 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
1563 } 2370 }
1564 2371
1565 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2372 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1566 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0); 2373 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 3600., 0);
1567 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2374 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1568 2375
1569Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it: 2376Example: The same as above, but use a reschedule callback to do it:
1570 2377
1571 #include <math.h> 2378 #include <math.h>
1572 2379
1573 static ev_tstamp 2380 static ev_tstamp
1574 my_scheduler_cb (struct ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now) 2381 my_scheduler_cb (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
1575 { 2382 {
1576 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.)); 2383 return now + (3600. - fmod (now, 3600.));
1577 } 2384 }
1578 2385
1579 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb); 2386 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 0., 0., my_scheduler_cb);
1580 2387
1581Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now: 2388Example: Call a callback every hour, starting now:
1582 2389
1583 struct ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2390 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
1584 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2391 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
1585 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2392 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
1586 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2393 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
1587 2394
1588 2395
1589=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2396=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
1590 2397
1591Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2398Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
1592signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2399signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
1593will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2400will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
1594normal event processing, like any other event. 2401normal event processing, like any other event.
1595 2402
1596If you want signals asynchronously, just use C<sigaction> as you would 2403If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
1597do without libev and forget about sharing the signal. You can even use 2404C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
1598C<ev_async> from a signal handler to synchronously wake up an event loop. 2405the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2406synchronously wake up an event loop.
1599 2407
1600You can configure as many watchers as you like per signal. Only when the 2408You can configure as many watchers as you like for the same signal, but
2409only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2410default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2411C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2412the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2413
1601first watcher gets started will libev actually register a signal handler 2414When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something
1602with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as 2415with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as
1603you don't register any with libev for the same signal). Similarly, when 2416you don't register any with libev for the same signal).
1604the last signal watcher for a signal is stopped, libev will reset the
1605signal handler to SIG_DFL (regardless of what it was set to before).
1606 2417
1607If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 2418If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
1608C<SA_RESTART> behaviour enabled, so system calls should not be unduly 2419C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
1609interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting interrupted by 2420not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
1610signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher and unblock 2421interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
1611them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 2422and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2423
2424=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2425
2426Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2427(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2428stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2429and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2430see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2431
2432While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2433sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2434C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2435certain signals to be blocked.
2436
2437This means that before calling C<exec> (from the child) you should reset
2438the signal mask to whatever "default" you expect (all clear is a good
2439choice usually).
2440
2441The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2442to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2443catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2444
2445In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2446unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2447the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2448I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2449
2450So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2451you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2452is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2453
2454=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2455
2456POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2457a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2458threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2459
2460When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2461for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2462all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2463sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2464loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2465these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2466in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
1612 2467
1613=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2468=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1614 2469
1615=over 4 2470=over 4
1616 2471
1630=head3 Examples 2485=head3 Examples
1631 2486
1632Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT. 2487Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
1633 2488
1634 static void 2489 static void
1635 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_signal *w, int revents) 2490 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
1636 { 2491 {
1637 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2492 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
1638 } 2493 }
1639 2494
1640 struct ev_signal signal_watcher; 2495 ev_signal signal_watcher;
1641 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2496 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
1642 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher); 2497 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
1643 2498
1644 2499
1645=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes 2500=head2 C<ev_child> - watch out for process status changes
1648some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or 2503some child status changes (most typically when a child of yours dies or
1649exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child 2504exits). It is permissible to install a child watcher I<after> the child
1650has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long 2505has been forked (which implies it might have already exited), as long
1651as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e., 2506as the event loop isn't entered (or is continued from a watcher), i.e.,
1652forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine, 2507forking and then immediately registering a watcher for the child is fine,
1653but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later is 2508but forking and registering a watcher a few event loop iterations later or
1654not. 2509in the next callback invocation is not.
1655 2510
1656Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore 2511Only the default event loop is capable of handling signals, and therefore
1657you can only register child watchers in the default event loop. 2512you can only register child watchers in the default event loop.
1658 2513
2514Due to some design glitches inside libev, child watchers will always be
2515handled at maximum priority (their priority is set to C<EV_MAXPRI> by
2516libev)
2517
1659=head3 Process Interaction 2518=head3 Process Interaction
1660 2519
1661Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is 2520Libev grabs C<SIGCHLD> as soon as the default event loop is
1662initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if 2521initialised. This is necessary to guarantee proper behaviour even if the
1663the first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence 2522first child watcher is started after the child exits. The occurrence
1664of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done 2523of C<SIGCHLD> is recorded asynchronously, but child reaping is done
1665synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all 2524synchronously as part of the event loop processing. Libev always reaps all
1666children, even ones not watched. 2525children, even ones not watched.
1667 2526
1668=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing 2527=head3 Overriding the Built-In Processing
1678=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher 2537=head3 Stopping the Child Watcher
1679 2538
1680Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the 2539Currently, the child watcher never gets stopped, even when the
1681child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the 2540child terminates, so normally one needs to stop the watcher in the
1682callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically 2541callback. Future versions of libev might stop the watcher automatically
1683when a child exit is detected. 2542when a child exit is detected (calling C<ev_child_stop> twice is not a
2543problem).
1684 2544
1685=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2545=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1686 2546
1687=over 4 2547=over 4
1688 2548
1720its completion. 2580its completion.
1721 2581
1722 ev_child cw; 2582 ev_child cw;
1723 2583
1724 static void 2584 static void
1725 child_cb (EV_P_ struct ev_child *w, int revents) 2585 child_cb (EV_P_ ev_child *w, int revents)
1726 { 2586 {
1727 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w); 2587 ev_child_stop (EV_A_ w);
1728 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus); 2588 printf ("process %d exited with status %x\n", w->rpid, w->rstatus);
1729 } 2589 }
1730 2590
1745 2605
1746 2606
1747=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 2607=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
1748 2608
1749This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 2609This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
1750C<stat> regularly (or when the OS says it changed) and sees if it changed 2610C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
1751compared to the last time, invoking the callback if it did. 2611and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if
2612it did.
1752 2613
1753The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 2614The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
1754not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does 2615not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
1755not exist" is signified by the C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is 2616exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
1756otherwise always forced to be at least one) and all the other fields of 2617C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
1757the stat buffer having unspecified contents. 2618least one) and all the other fields of the stat buffer having unspecified
2619contents.
1758 2620
1759The path I<should> be absolute and I<must not> end in a slash. If it is 2621The path I<must not> end in a slash or contain special components such as
2622C<.> or C<..>. The path I<should> be absolute: If it is relative and
1760relative and your working directory changes, the behaviour is undefined. 2623your working directory changes, then the behaviour is undefined.
1761 2624
1762Since there is no standard kernel interface to do this, the portable 2625Since there is no portable change notification interface available, the
1763implementation simply calls C<stat (2)> regularly on the path to see if 2626portable implementation simply calls C<stat(2)> regularly on the path
1764it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling interval for 2627to see if it changed somehow. You can specify a recommended polling
1765this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly recommended!) 2628interval for this case. If you specify a polling interval of C<0> (highly
1766then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used (which 2629recommended!) then a I<suitable, unspecified default> value will be used
1767you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might change 2630(which you can expect to be around five seconds, although this might
1768dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is currently 2631change dynamically). Libev will also impose a minimum interval which is
1769around C<0.1>, but thats usually overkill. 2632currently around C<0.1>, but that's usually overkill.
1770 2633
1771This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers, 2634This watcher type is not meant for massive numbers of stat watchers,
1772as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be 2635as even with OS-supported change notifications, this can be
1773resource-intensive. 2636resource-intensive.
1774 2637
1775At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented 2638At the time of this writing, the only OS-specific interface implemented
1776is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as 2639is the Linux inotify interface (implementing kqueue support is left as an
1777an exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way 2640exercise for the reader. Note, however, that the author sees no way of
1778of implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue). 2641implementing C<ev_stat> semantics with kqueue, except as a hint).
1779 2642
1780=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support) 2643=head3 ABI Issues (Largefile Support)
1781 2644
1782Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default 2645Libev by default (unless the user overrides this) uses the default
1783compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file 2646compilation environment, which means that on systems with large file
1784support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat 2647support disabled by default, you get the 32 bit version of the stat
1785structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to 2648structure. When using the library from programs that change the ABI to
1786use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to 2649use 64 bit file offsets the programs will fail. In that case you have to
1787compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is 2650compile libev with the same flags to get binary compatibility. This is
1788obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is 2651obviously the case with any flags that change the ABI, but the problem is
1789most noticeably disabled with ev_stat and large file support. 2652most noticeably displayed with ev_stat and large file support.
1790 2653
1791The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large 2654The solution for this is to lobby your distribution maker to make large
1792file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not 2655file interfaces available by default (as e.g. FreeBSD does) and not
1793optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has 2656optional. Libev cannot simply switch on large file support because it has
1794to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the 2657to exchange stat structures with application programs compiled using the
1795default compilation environment. 2658default compilation environment.
1796 2659
1797=head3 Inotify and Kqueue 2660=head3 Inotify and Kqueue
1798 2661
1799When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev (generally only 2662When C<inotify (7)> support has been compiled into libev and present at
1800available with Linux) and present at runtime, it will be used to speed up 2663runtime, it will be used to speed up change detection where possible. The
1801change detection where possible. The inotify descriptor will be created lazily 2664inotify descriptor will be created lazily when the first C<ev_stat>
1802when the first C<ev_stat> watcher is being started. 2665watcher is being started.
1803 2666
1804Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers 2667Inotify presence does not change the semantics of C<ev_stat> watchers
1805except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid 2668except that changes might be detected earlier, and in some cases, to avoid
1806making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support 2669making regular C<stat> calls. Even in the presence of inotify support
1807there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling, 2670there are many cases where libev has to resort to regular C<stat> polling,
1808but as long as the path exists, libev usually gets away without polling. 2671but as long as kernel 2.6.25 or newer is used (2.6.24 and older have too
2672many bugs), the path exists (i.e. stat succeeds), and the path resides on
2673a local filesystem (libev currently assumes only ext2/3, jfs, reiserfs and
2674xfs are fully working) libev usually gets away without polling.
1809 2675
1810There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to 2676There is no support for kqueue, as apparently it cannot be used to
1811implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file 2677implement this functionality, due to the requirement of having a file
1812descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks 2678descriptor open on the object at all times, and detecting renames, unlinks
1813etc. is difficult. 2679etc. is difficult.
1814 2680
2681=head3 C<stat ()> is a synchronous operation
2682
2683Libev doesn't normally do any kind of I/O itself, and so is not blocking
2684the process. The exception are C<ev_stat> watchers - those call C<stat
2685()>, which is a synchronous operation.
2686
2687For local paths, this usually doesn't matter: unless the system is very
2688busy or the intervals between stat's are large, a stat call will be fast,
2689as the path data is usually in memory already (except when starting the
2690watcher).
2691
2692For networked file systems, calling C<stat ()> can block an indefinite
2693time due to network issues, and even under good conditions, a stat call
2694often takes multiple milliseconds.
2695
2696Therefore, it is best to avoid using C<ev_stat> watchers on networked
2697paths, although this is fully supported by libev.
2698
1815=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution 2699=head3 The special problem of stat time resolution
1816 2700
1817The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably, and 2701The C<stat ()> system call only supports full-second resolution portably,
1818even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems still 2702and even on systems where the resolution is higher, most file systems
1819only support whole seconds. 2703still only support whole seconds.
1820 2704
1821That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can 2705That means that, if the time is the only thing that changes, you can
1822easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and 2706easily miss updates: on the first update, C<ev_stat> detects a change and
1823calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update 2707calls your callback, which does something. When there is another update
1824within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the 2708within the same second, C<ev_stat> will be unable to detect unless the
1963Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2847Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
1964effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2848effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
1965"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2849"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
1966event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2850event loop has handled all outstanding events.
1967 2851
2852=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
2853
2854As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
2855sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
2856For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
2857lowest priority will do.
2858
2859This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
2860to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
2861between different connections.
2862
2863See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
2864example.
2865
1968=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2866=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1969 2867
1970=over 4 2868=over 4
1971 2869
1972=item ev_idle_init (ev_signal *, callback) 2870=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
1973 2871
1974Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any 2872Initialises and configures the idle watcher - it has no parameters of any
1975kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 2873kind. There is a C<ev_idle_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
1976believe me. 2874believe me.
1977 2875
1981 2879
1982Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the 2880Example: Dynamically allocate an C<ev_idle> watcher, start it, and in the
1983callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2881callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
1984 2882
1985 static void 2883 static void
1986 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, struct ev_idle *w, int revents) 2884 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
1987 { 2885 {
2886 // stop the watcher
2887 ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
2888
2889 // now we can free it
1988 free (w); 2890 free (w);
2891
1989 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 2892 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
1990 // no longer anything immediate to do. 2893 // no longer anything immediate to do.
1991 } 2894 }
1992 2895
1993 struct ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (struct ev_idle)); 2896 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
1994 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb); 2897 ev_idle_init (idle_watcher, idle_cb);
1995 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_cb); 2898 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
1996 2899
1997 2900
1998=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 2901=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
1999 2902
2000Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 2903Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2001prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2904prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2002afterwards. 2905afterwards.
2003 2906
2004You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 2907You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter
2005the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2908the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check>
2006watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 2909watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The
2007rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 2910rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in
2008those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2911those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking,
2009C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2912C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be
2033with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 2936with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
2034of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 2937of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
2035loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 2938loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
2036low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 2939low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
2037 2940
2038It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 2941When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
2039priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 2942highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
2040after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers). 2943any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
2944watchers).
2041 2945
2042Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not 2946Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2043activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they 2947activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2044might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As 2948might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2045C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event 2949C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2046loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their 2950loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2047C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with 2951C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2048others). 2952others).
2049 2953
2954=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
2955
2956C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
2957useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
2958example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
2959normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
2960is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
2961connections have a chance of making progress.
2962
2963Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
2964next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
2965without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
2966
2967
2968This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
2969single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
2970C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
2971will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
2972invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
2973
2050=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2974=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2051 2975
2052=over 4 2976=over 4
2053 2977
2054=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback) 2978=item ev_prepare_init (ev_prepare *, callback)
2079 3003
2080 static ev_io iow [nfd]; 3004 static ev_io iow [nfd];
2081 static ev_timer tw; 3005 static ev_timer tw;
2082 3006
2083 static void 3007 static void
2084 io_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 3008 io_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
2085 { 3009 {
2086 } 3010 }
2087 3011
2088 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking 3012 // create io watchers for each fd and a timer before blocking
2089 static void 3013 static void
2090 adns_prepare_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents) 3014 adns_prepare_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_prepare *w, int revents)
2091 { 3015 {
2092 int timeout = 3600000; 3016 int timeout = 3600000;
2093 struct pollfd fds [nfd]; 3017 struct pollfd fds [nfd];
2094 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc. 3018 // actual code will need to loop here and realloc etc.
2095 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ())); 3019 adns_beforepoll (ads, fds, &nfd, &timeout, timeval_from (ev_time ()));
2096 3020
2097 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */ 3021 /* the callback is illegal, but won't be called as we stop during check */
2098 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3); 3022 ev_timer_init (&tw, 0, timeout * 1e-3, 0.);
2099 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw); 3023 ev_timer_start (loop, &tw);
2100 3024
2101 // create one ev_io per pollfd 3025 // create one ev_io per pollfd
2102 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 3026 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2103 { 3027 {
2110 } 3034 }
2111 } 3035 }
2112 3036
2113 // stop all watchers after blocking 3037 // stop all watchers after blocking
2114 static void 3038 static void
2115 adns_check_cb (ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents) 3039 adns_check_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_check *w, int revents)
2116 { 3040 {
2117 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw); 3041 ev_timer_stop (loop, &tw);
2118 3042
2119 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i) 3043 for (int i = 0; i < nfd; ++i)
2120 { 3044 {
2177 3101
2178 if (timeout >= 0) 3102 if (timeout >= 0)
2179 // create/start timer 3103 // create/start timer
2180 3104
2181 // poll 3105 // poll
2182 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3106 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2183 3107
2184 // stop timer again 3108 // stop timer again
2185 if (timeout >= 0) 3109 if (timeout >= 0)
2186 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 3110 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2187 3111
2216some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency), 3140some fds have to be watched and handled very quickly (with low latency),
2217and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In 3141and even priorities and idle watchers might have too much overhead. In
2218this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all 3142this case you would put all the high priority stuff in one loop and all
2219the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first. 3143the rest in a second one, and embed the second one in the first.
2220 3144
2221As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every time 3145As long as the watcher is active, the callback will be invoked every
2222there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback must then 3146time there might be events pending in the embedded loop. The callback
2223call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single sweep and invoke 3147must then call C<ev_embed_sweep (mainloop, watcher)> to make a single
2224their callbacks (you could also start an idle watcher to give the embedded 3148sweep and invoke their callbacks (the callback doesn't need to invoke the
2225loop strictly lower priority for example). You can also set the callback 3149C<ev_embed_sweep> function directly, it could also start an idle watcher
2226to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher will automatically execute the 3150to give the embedded loop strictly lower priority for example).
2227embedded loop sweep.
2228 3151
2229As long as the watcher is started it will automatically handle events. The 3152You can also set the callback to C<0>, in which case the embed watcher
2230callback will be invoked whenever some events have been handled. You can 3153will automatically execute the embedded loop sweep whenever necessary.
2231set the callback to C<0> to avoid having to specify one if you are not
2232interested in that.
2233 3154
2234Also, there have not currently been made special provisions for forking: 3155Fork detection will be handled transparently while the C<ev_embed> watcher
2235when you fork, you not only have to call C<ev_loop_fork> on both loops, 3156is active, i.e., the embedded loop will automatically be forked when the
2236but you will also have to stop and restart any C<ev_embed> watchers 3157embedding loop forks. In other cases, the user is responsible for calling
2237yourself - but you can use a fork watcher to handle this automatically, 3158C<ev_loop_fork> on the embedded loop.
2238and future versions of libev might do just that.
2239 3159
2240Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by 3160Unfortunately, not all backends are embeddable: only the ones returned by
2241C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any 3161C<ev_embeddable_backends> are, which, unfortunately, does not include any
2242portable one. 3162portable one.
2243 3163
2269if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 3189if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2270 3190
2271=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 3191=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2272 3192
2273Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 3193Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2274similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 3194similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2275appropriate way for embedded loops. 3195appropriate way for embedded loops.
2276 3196
2277=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 3197=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2278 3198
2279The embedded event loop. 3199The embedded event loop.
2288C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be 3208C<loop_lo> (which is C<loop_hi> in the case no embeddable loop can be
2289used). 3209used).
2290 3210
2291 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 3211 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2292 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 3212 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2293 struct ev_embed embed; 3213 ev_embed embed;
2294 3214
2295 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works 3215 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2296 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection) 3216 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2297 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends () 3217 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2298 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()) 3218 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2312kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in 3232kqueue implementation). Store the kqueue/socket-only event loop in
2313C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too). 3233C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2314 3234
2315 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 3235 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2316 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0; 3236 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2317 struct ev_embed embed; 3237 ev_embed embed;
2318 3238
2319 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE) 3239 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2320 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)) 3240 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2321 { 3241 {
2322 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket); 3242 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2337event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 3257event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called,
2338and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 3258and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling
2339C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 3259C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork
2340handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 3260handlers will be invoked, too, of course.
2341 3261
3262=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
3263
3264Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
3265up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
3266sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
3267
3268This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
3269in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
3270fork.
3271
3272The default mode of operation (for libev, with application help to detect
3273forks) is to duplicate all the state in the child, as would be expected
3274when I<either> the parent I<or> the child process continues.
3275
3276When both processes want to continue using libev, then this is usually the
3277wrong result. In that case, usually one process (typically the parent) is
3278supposed to continue with all watchers in place as before, while the other
3279process typically wants to start fresh, i.e. without any active watchers.
3280
3281The cleanest and most efficient way to achieve that with libev is to
3282simply create a new event loop, which of course will be "empty", and
3283use that for new watchers. This has the advantage of not touching more
3284memory than necessary, and thus avoiding the copy-on-write, and the
3285disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
3286signal watchers).
3287
3288When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
3289other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
3290C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
3291Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
3292watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
3293those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
3294signal watchers.
3295
2342=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3296=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2343 3297
2344=over 4 3298=over 4
2345 3299
2346=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3300=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
2347 3301
2348Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 3302Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2349kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3303kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2350believe me. 3304really.
2351 3305
2352=back 3306=back
2353 3307
2354 3308
3309=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
3310
3311Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
3312by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
3313
3314While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
3315watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
3316program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
3317loop when you want them to be invoked.
3318
3319Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
3320all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
3321makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
3322can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
3323
3324=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3325
3326=over 4
3327
3328=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
3329
3330Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
3331any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
3332pointless, I assure you.
3333
3334=back
3335
3336Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
3337cleanup functions are called.
3338
3339 static void
3340 program_exits (void)
3341 {
3342 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
3343 }
3344
3345 ...
3346 atexit (program_exits);
3347
3348
2355=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop 3349=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2356 3350
2357In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other 3351In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2358asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3352asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2359loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3353loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2360 3354
2361Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not 3355Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2362control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what 3356for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2363C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you 3357watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2364can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal 3358it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2365safe.
2366 3359
2367This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3360This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2368too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3361too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2369(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3362(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2370C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3363C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
2371 3364of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
2372Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3365signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
2373just the default loop. 3366even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
2374 3367
2375=head3 Queueing 3368=head3 Queueing
2376 3369
2377C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3370C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2378is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3371is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2379multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 3372multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2380need elaborate support such as pthreads. 3373need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
3374semantics.
2381 3375
2382That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 3376That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2383queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your 3377queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2384queue: 3378queue:
2385 3379
2463=over 4 3457=over 4
2464 3458
2465=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback) 3459=item ev_async_init (ev_async *, callback)
2466 3460
2467Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any 3461Initialises and configures the async watcher - it has no parameters of any
2468kind. There is a C<ev_asynd_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3462kind. There is a C<ev_async_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2469trust me. 3463trust me.
2470 3464
2471=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3465=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
2472 3466
2473Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3467Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
2474an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3468an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3469returns.
3470
2475C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3471Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
2476similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3472signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
2477section below on what exactly this means). 3473embedding section below on what exactly this means).
2478 3474
2479This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per loop iteration, 3475Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
2480so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to repeated 3476compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
2481calls to C<ev_async_send>. 3477this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3478C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3479
3480This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3481loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3482the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
3483repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
3484performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
3485zero) under load.
2482 3486
2483=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3487=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
2484 3488
2485Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3489Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
2486watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3490watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
2489C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When 3493C<ev_async_send> sets a flag in the watcher and wakes up the loop. When
2490the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active, 3494the loop iterates next and checks for the watcher to have become active,
2491it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very 3495it will reset the flag again. C<ev_async_pending> can be used to very
2492quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea. 3496quickly check whether invoking the loop might be a good idea.
2493 3497
2494Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending, only 3498Not that this does I<not> check whether the watcher itself is pending,
2495whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending. 3499only whether it has been requested to make this watcher pending: there
3500is a time window between the event loop checking and resetting the async
3501notification, and the callback being invoked.
2496 3502
2497=back 3503=back
2498 3504
2499 3505
2500=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS 3506=head1 OTHER FUNCTIONS
2517 3523
2518If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3524If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
2519started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3525started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
2520repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout. 3526repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
2521 3527
2522The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3528The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
2523passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3529passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
2524C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3530C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
2525value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both> 3531value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
2526a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io 3532a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
2527events precedence. 3533events precedence.
2528 3534
2529Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO. 3535Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
2530 3536
2531 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3537 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
2532 { 3538 {
2533 if (revents & EV_READ) 3539 if (revents & EV_READ)
2534 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 3540 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
2535 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 3541 else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
2536 /* doh, nothing entered */; 3542 /* doh, nothing entered */;
2537 } 3543 }
2538 3544
2539 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3545 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
2540 3546
2541=item ev_feed_event (ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
2542
2543Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
2544had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
2545initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
2546
2547=item ev_feed_fd_event (ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3547=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
2548 3548
2549Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3549Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
2550the given events it. 3550the given events.
2551 3551
2552=item ev_feed_signal_event (ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3552=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
2553 3553
2554Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3554Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
2555loop!). 3555which is async-safe.
2556 3556
2557=back 3557=back
3558
3559
3560=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3561
3562This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3563obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3564section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3565
3566=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3567
3568Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3569or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3570to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3571don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3572data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3573data:
3574
3575 struct my_io
3576 {
3577 ev_io io;
3578 int otherfd;
3579 void *somedata;
3580 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3581 };
3582
3583 ...
3584 struct my_io w;
3585 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3586
3587And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3588can cast it back to your own type:
3589
3590 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3591 {
3592 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3593 ...
3594 }
3595
3596More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3597function type instead have been omitted.
3598
3599=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3600
3601Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3602embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3603multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3604
3605 struct my_biggy
3606 {
3607 int some_data;
3608 ev_timer t1;
3609 ev_timer t2;
3610 }
3611
3612In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3613complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3614the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3615to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3616real programmers):
3617
3618 #include <stddef.h>
3619
3620 static void
3621 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3622 {
3623 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3624 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3625 }
3626
3627 static void
3628 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3629 {
3630 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3631 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3632 }
3633
3634=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
3635
3636Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
3637
3638 callback ()
3639 {
3640 free (request);
3641 }
3642
3643 request = start_new_request (..., callback);
3644
3645The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
3646used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
3647
3648It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
3649immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
3650some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
3651operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
3652
3653The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
3654has returned, so C<request> is not set.
3655
3656Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
3657might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
3658canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
3659already been invoked.
3660
3661A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
3662C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
3663C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
3664delay invoking the callback by e.g. using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher
3665for example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher
3666and pushing it into the pending queue:
3667
3668 ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
3669 ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
3670
3671This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
3672invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
3673
3674=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3675
3676Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3677I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3678invoking C<ev_run>.
3679
3680This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3681main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3682a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3683and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3684other combination: In these cases, C<ev_break> will not work alone.
3685
3686The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3687invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3688triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3689
3690 // main loop
3691 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3692
3693 while (!exit_main_loop)
3694 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3695
3696 // in a modal watcher
3697 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3698
3699 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3700 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3701
3702To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3703
3704 // exit modal loop
3705 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3706
3707 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3708 exit_main_loop = 1;
3709
3710 // exit both
3711 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3712
3713=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3714
3715Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3716thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3717created/added/removed.
3718
3719For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3720which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3721languages).
3722
3723The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3724variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3725event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3726
3727First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3728
3729 typedef struct {
3730 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3731 ev_async async_w;
3732 thread_t tid;
3733 cond_t invoke_cv;
3734 } userdata;
3735
3736 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3737 {
3738 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3739 static userdata u;
3740
3741 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
3742 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3743
3744 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
3745 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
3746
3747 // now associate this with the loop
3748 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3749 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3750 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3751
3752 // then create the thread running ev_run
3753 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3754 }
3755
3756The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3757solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3758that might have been added:
3759
3760 static void
3761 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3762 {
3763 // just used for the side effects
3764 }
3765
3766The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3767protecting the loop data, respectively.
3768
3769 static void
3770 l_release (EV_P)
3771 {
3772 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3773 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3774 }
3775
3776 static void
3777 l_acquire (EV_P)
3778 {
3779 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3780 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3781 }
3782
3783The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3784into C<ev_run>:
3785
3786 void *
3787 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3788 {
3789 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3790
3791 l_acquire (EV_A);
3792 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3793 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3794 l_release (EV_A);
3795
3796 return 0;
3797 }
3798
3799Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3800signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3801writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3802have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3803and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3804watchers is very beneficial):
3805
3806 static void
3807 l_invoke (EV_P)
3808 {
3809 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3810
3811 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3812 {
3813 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3814 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3815 }
3816 }
3817
3818Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3819will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3820thread to continue:
3821
3822 static void
3823 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3824 {
3825 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3826
3827 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3828 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3829 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3830 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3831 }
3832
3833Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3834event loop, you will now have to lock:
3835
3836 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3837 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3838
3839 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3840
3841 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3842 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3843 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3844 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3845
3846Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3847an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3848about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3849watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3850
3851=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
3852
3853While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
3854is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
3855kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
3856doesn't need callbacks anymore.
3857
3858Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
3859C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
3860and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
3861global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
3862event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
3863the differing C<;> conventions):
3864
3865 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3866 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
3867
3868That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
3869coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
3870your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
3871
3872A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
3873C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
3874matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
3875called):
3876
3877 void
3878 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
3879 {
3880 ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
3881 switch_to (libev_coro);
3882 }
3883
3884That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
3885continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
3886this or any other coroutine.
3887
3888You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
3889instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
3890switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
3891any waiters.
3892
3893To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
3894files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
3895
3896 // my_ev.h
3897 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3898 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb);
3899 #include "../libev/ev.h"
3900
3901 // my_ev.c
3902 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
3903 #include "../libev/ev.c"
3904
3905And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
3906F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
3907can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
2558 3908
2559 3909
2560=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 3910=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
2561 3911
2562Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 3912Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
2563emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 3913emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
2564 3914
2565=over 4 3915=over 4
3916
3917=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
3918
3919This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
3920and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
2566 3921
2567=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 3922=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
2568 3923
2569=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 3924=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
2570ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 3925ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
2576=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 3931=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
2577will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 3932will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
2578is an ev_pri field. 3933is an ev_pri field.
2579 3934
2580=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 3935=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
2581first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 3936base that registered the signal gets the signals.
2582 3937
2583=item * Other members are not supported. 3938=item * Other members are not supported.
2584 3939
2585=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 3940=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
2586to use the libev header file and library. 3941to use the libev header file and library.
2587 3942
2588=back 3943=back
2589 3944
2590=head1 C++ SUPPORT 3945=head1 C++ SUPPORT
3946
3947=head2 C API
3948
3949The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
3950libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
3951will work fine.
3952
3953Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
3954to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all
3955other callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodioc
3956reschedule callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<throw
3957()> specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C
3958and C++ you can use the C<EV_THROW> macro for this:
3959
3960 static void
3961 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_THROW
3962 {
3963 perror (msg);
3964 abort ();
3965 }
3966
3967 ...
3968 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
3969
3970The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
3971C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
3972because it runs cleanup watchers).
3973
3974Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
3975is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
3976throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
3977
3978=head2 C++ API
2591 3979
2592Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3980Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
2593you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3981you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
2594the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3982the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
2595 3983
2605Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 3993Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
2606classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 3994classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
2607that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 3995that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
2608you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 3996you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
2609 3997
2610Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 3998Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
2611used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 3999with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
2612need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 4000to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
2613types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 4001you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
2614it). 4002(preferably after implementing it).
4003
4004For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
4005conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
4006to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
2615 4007
2616Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 4008Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
2617 4009
2618=over 4 4010=over 4
2619 4011
2629=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 4021=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
2630 4022
2631For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 4023For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
2632the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 4024the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
2633which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 4025which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
2634defines by many implementations. 4026defined by many implementations.
2635 4027
2636All of those classes have these methods: 4028All of those classes have these methods:
2637 4029
2638=over 4 4030=over 4
2639 4031
2640=item ev::TYPE::TYPE () 4032=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
2641 4033
2642=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *) 4034=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
2643 4035
2644=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 4036=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
2645 4037
2646The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher 4038The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
2647with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>. 4039with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
2679 4071
2680 myclass obj; 4072 myclass obj;
2681 ev::io iow; 4073 ev::io iow;
2682 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 4074 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
2683 4075
4076=item w->set (object *)
4077
4078This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
4079will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
4080functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
4081the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
4082list.
4083
4084The C<operator ()> method prototype must be C<void operator ()(watcher &w,
4085int revents)>.
4086
4087See the method-C<set> above for more details.
4088
4089Example: use a functor object as callback.
4090
4091 struct myfunctor
4092 {
4093 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
4094 {
4095 ...
4096 }
4097 }
4098
4099 myfunctor f;
4100
4101 ev::io w;
4102 w.set (&f);
4103
2684=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0) 4104=item w->set<function> (void *data = 0)
2685 4105
2686Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as 4106Also sets a callback, but uses a static method or plain function as
2687callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's 4107callback. The optional C<data> argument will be stored in the watcher's
2688C<data> member and is free for you to use. 4108C<data> member and is free for you to use.
2694Example: Use a plain function as callback. 4114Example: Use a plain function as callback.
2695 4115
2696 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 4116 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
2697 iow.set <io_cb> (); 4117 iow.set <io_cb> ();
2698 4118
2699=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 4119=item w->set (loop)
2700 4120
2701Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 4121Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
2702do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 4122do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
2703 4123
2704=item w->set ([arguments]) 4124=item w->set ([arguments])
2705 4125
2706Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be 4126Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Either this
2707called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 4127method or a suitable start method must be called at least once. Unlike the
2708automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 4128C counterpart, an active watcher gets automatically stopped and restarted
2709method. 4129when reconfiguring it with this method.
2710 4130
2711=item w->start () 4131=item w->start ()
2712 4132
2713Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the 4133Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
2714constructor already stores the event loop. 4134constructor already stores the event loop.
2715 4135
4136=item w->start ([arguments])
4137
4138Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
4139convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
4140the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
4141
2716=item w->stop () 4142=item w->stop ()
2717 4143
2718Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 4144Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
2719 4145
2720=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only) 4146=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
2732 4158
2733=back 4159=back
2734 4160
2735=back 4161=back
2736 4162
2737Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 4163Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
2738the constructor. 4164watchers in the constructor.
2739 4165
2740 class myclass 4166 class myclass
2741 { 4167 {
2742 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4168 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
4169 ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
2743 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 4170 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
2744 4171
2745 myclass (int fd) 4172 myclass (int fd)
2746 { 4173 {
2747 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 4174 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
4175 io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
2748 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 4176 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
2749 4177
2750 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 4178 io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
4179 io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
4180
4181 io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
2751 } 4182 }
2752 }; 4183 };
2753 4184
2754 4185
2755=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS 4186=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
2774L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>. 4205L<http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/EV>.
2775 4206
2776=item Python 4207=item Python
2777 4208
2778Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It 4209Python bindings can be found at L<http://code.google.com/p/pyev/>. It
2779seems to be quite complete and well-documented. Note, however, that the 4210seems to be quite complete and well-documented.
2780patch they require for libev is outright dangerous as it breaks the ABI
2781for everybody else, and therefore, should never be applied in an installed
2782libev (if python requires an incompatible ABI then it needs to embed
2783libev).
2784 4211
2785=item Ruby 4212=item Ruby
2786 4213
2787Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset 4214Tony Arcieri has written a ruby extension that offers access to a subset
2788of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and 4215of the libev API and adds file handle abstractions, asynchronous DNS and
2789more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at 4216more on top of it. It can be found via gem servers. Its homepage is at
2790L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>. 4217L<http://rev.rubyforge.org/>.
2791 4218
4219Roger Pack reports that using the link order C<-lws2_32 -lmsvcrt-ruby-190>
4220makes rev work even on mingw.
4221
4222=item Haskell
4223
4224A haskell binding to libev is available at
4225L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
4226
2792=item D 4227=item D
2793 4228
2794Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 4229Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
2795be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 4230be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
4231
4232=item Ocaml
4233
4234Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
4235L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
4236
4237=item Lua
4238
4239Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
4240time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
4241L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
4242
4243=item Javascript
4244
4245Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
4246
4247=item Others
4248
4249There are others, and I stopped counting.
2796 4250
2797=back 4251=back
2798 4252
2799 4253
2800=head1 MACRO MAGIC 4254=head1 MACRO MAGIC
2814loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 4268loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
2815C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 4269C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
2816 4270
2817 ev_unref (EV_A); 4271 ev_unref (EV_A);
2818 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 4272 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
2819 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 4273 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2820 4274
2821It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 4275It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
2822which is often provided by the following macro. 4276which is often provided by the following macro.
2823 4277
2824=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 4278=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
2837suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 4291suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
2838 4292
2839=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 4293=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
2840 4294
2841Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 4295Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
2842loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 4296loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
4297will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
4298
4299For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
4300to initialise the loop somewhere.
2843 4301
2844=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_> 4302=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
2845 4303
2846Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the 4304Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
2847default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour 4305default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
2864 } 4322 }
2865 4323
2866 ev_check check; 4324 ev_check check;
2867 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 4325 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
2868 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 4326 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
2869 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 4327 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
2870 4328
2871=head1 EMBEDDING 4329=head1 EMBEDDING
2872 4330
2873Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 4331Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
2874applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 4332applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
2901 4359
2902 #define EV_STANDALONE 1 4360 #define EV_STANDALONE 1
2903 #include "ev.h" 4361 #include "ev.h"
2904 4362
2905Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++ 4363Both header files and implementation files can be compiled with a C++
2906compiler (at least, thats a stated goal, and breakage will be treated 4364compiler (at least, that's a stated goal, and breakage will be treated
2907as a bug). 4365as a bug).
2908 4366
2909You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory 4367You need the following files in your source tree, or in a directory
2910in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev): 4368in your include path (e.g. in libev/ when using -Ilibev):
2911 4369
2954 libev.m4 4412 libev.m4
2955 4413
2956=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 4414=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
2957 4415
2958Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to 4416Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
2959define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of 4417define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
2960autoconf is documented for every option. 4418the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
4419
4420Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
4421values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
4422to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
4423to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
4424users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
4425settings.
2961 4426
2962=over 4 4427=over 4
2963 4428
4429=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
4430
4431Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
4432release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
4433have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
4434
4435You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
4436versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
4437sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
4438from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
4439typedef in that case.
4440
4441In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
4442and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
4443removed completely.
4444
2964=item EV_STANDALONE 4445=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
2965 4446
2966Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 4447Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
2967keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 4448keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
2968implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 4449implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
2969supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4450supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
2970F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4451F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
2971 4452
4453In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
4454configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4455
4456=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4457
4458If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4459periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4460portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4461link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4462function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4463this.
4464
2972=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4465=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
2973 4466
2974If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4467If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2975monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no use 4468monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
2976of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this, you 4469use of the monotonic clock option will be attempted. If you enable this,
2977usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it when 4470you usually have to link against librt or something similar. Enabling it
2978the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have 4471when the functionality isn't available is safe, though, although you have
2979to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime> 4472to make sure you link against any libraries where the C<clock_gettime>
2980function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). 4473function is hiding in (often F<-lrt>). See also C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
2981 4474
2982=item EV_USE_REALTIME 4475=item EV_USE_REALTIME
2983 4476
2984If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4477If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
2985real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability at 4478real-time clock option at compile time (and assume its availability
2986runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock option will 4479at runtime if successful). Otherwise no use of the real-time clock
2987be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday> by C<clock_get 4480option will be attempted. This effectively replaces C<gettimeofday>
2988(CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect correctness. See the 4481by C<clock_get (CLOCK_REALTIME, ...)> and will not normally affect
2989note about libraries in the description of C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. 4482correctness. See the note about libraries in the description of
4483C<EV_USE_MONOTONIC>, though. Defaults to the opposite value of
4484C<EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL>.
4485
4486=item EV_USE_CLOCK_SYSCALL
4487
4488If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to use a direct syscall instead
4489of calling the system-provided C<clock_gettime> function. This option
4490exists because on GNU/Linux, C<clock_gettime> is in C<librt>, but C<librt>
4491unconditionally pulls in C<libpthread>, slowing down single-threaded
4492programs needlessly. Using a direct syscall is slightly slower (in
4493theory), because no optimised vdso implementation can be used, but avoids
4494the pthread dependency. Defaults to C<1> on GNU/Linux with glibc 2.x or
4495higher, as it simplifies linking (no need for C<-lrt>).
2990 4496
2991=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP 4497=item EV_USE_NANOSLEEP
2992 4498
2993If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available 4499If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that C<nanosleep ()> is available
2994and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>. 4500and will use it for delays. Otherwise it will use C<select ()>.
3010 4516
3011=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET 4517=item EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET
3012 4518
3013If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set> 4519If defined to C<1>, then the select backend will use the system C<fd_set>
3014structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing 4520structure. This is useful if libev doesn't compile due to a missing
3015C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout on 4521C<NFDBITS> or C<fd_mask> definition or it mis-guesses the bitset layout
3016exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to some 4522on exotic systems. This usually limits the range of file descriptors to
3017low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket only 4523some low limit such as 1024 or might have other limitations (winsocket
3018allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation, might 4524only allows 64 sockets). The C<FD_SETSIZE> macro, set before compilation,
3019influence the size of the C<fd_set> used. 4525configures the maximum size of the C<fd_set>.
3020 4526
3021=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 4527=item EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET
3022 4528
3023When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that 4529When defined to C<1>, the select backend will assume that
3024select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but 4530select/socket/connect etc. don't understand file descriptors but
3026be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call 4532be used is the winsock select). This means that it will call
3027C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise, 4533C<_get_osfhandle> on the fd to convert it to an OS handle. Otherwise,
3028it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even 4534it is assumed that all these functions actually work on fds, even
3029on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms. 4535on win32. Should not be defined on non-win32 platforms.
3030 4536
3031=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE 4537=item EV_FD_TO_WIN32_HANDLE(fd)
3032 4538
3033If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map 4539If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> is enabled, then libev needs a way to map
3034file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the 4540file descriptors to socket handles. When not defining this symbol (the
3035default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually 4541default), then libev will call C<_get_osfhandle>, which is usually
3036correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management, 4542correct. In some cases, programs use their own file descriptor management,
3037in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles. 4543in which case they can provide this function to map fds to socket handles.
4544
4545=item EV_WIN32_HANDLE_TO_FD(handle)
4546
4547If C<EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET> then libev maps handles to file descriptors
4548using the standard C<_open_osfhandle> function. For programs implementing
4549their own fd to handle mapping, overwriting this function makes it easier
4550to do so. This can be done by defining this macro to an appropriate value.
4551
4552=item EV_WIN32_CLOSE_FD(fd)
4553
4554If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
4555macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
4556file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
4557the underlying OS handle.
3038 4558
3039=item EV_USE_POLL 4559=item EV_USE_POLL
3040 4560
3041If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 4561If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3042backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 4562backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
3078If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4598If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
3079interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4599interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
3080be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4600be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3081indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4601indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3082 4602
4603=item EV_NO_SMP
4604
4605If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4606between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4607different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4608and makes libev faster.
4609
4610=item EV_NO_THREADS
4611
4612If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called
4613from different threads, which is a stronger assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>,
4614above. This reduces dependencies and makes libev faster.
4615
3083=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4616=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3084 4617
3085Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4618Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3086access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 4619access is atomic and serialised with respect to other threads or signal
3087type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 4620contexts. No such type is easily found in the C language, so you can
3088that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 4621provide your own type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used
3089as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4622both for signal handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety
4623in C<ev_async> watchers.
3090 4624
3091In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4625In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3092(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4626(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms,
4627although strictly speaking using a type that also implies a memory fence
4628is required.
3093 4629
3094=item EV_H 4630=item EV_H (h)
3095 4631
3096The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 4632The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
3097undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 4633undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
3098used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 4634used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
3099 4635
3100=item EV_CONFIG_H 4636=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
3101 4637
3102If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 4638If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
3103F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 4639F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
3104C<EV_H>, above. 4640C<EV_H>, above.
3105 4641
3106=item EV_EVENT_H 4642=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
3107 4643
3108Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 4644Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
3109of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">. 4645of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
3110 4646
3111=item EV_PROTOTYPES 4647=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
3112 4648
3113If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 4649If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3114prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 4650prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3115occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions 4651occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3116around libev functions. 4652around libev functions.
3121will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 4657will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
3122additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 4658additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
3123for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 4659for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
3124argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 4660argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
3125 4661
4662Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
4663default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
4664initialise the loop manually in this case.
4665
3126=item EV_MINPRI 4666=item EV_MINPRI
3127 4667
3128=item EV_MAXPRI 4668=item EV_MAXPRI
3129 4669
3130The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to 4670The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
3138fine. 4678fine.
3139 4679
3140If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these 4680If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3141both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU. 4681both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3142 4682
3143=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 4683=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
4684EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
4685EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3144 4686
3145If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 4687If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3146defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 4688the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3147code. 4689is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3148 4690
3149=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE 4691=item EV_FEATURES
3150
3151If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3152defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3153code.
3154
3155=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3156
3157If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3158defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3159watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3160
3161=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3162
3163If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3164defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3165
3166=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3167
3168If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3169defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3170
3171=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3172
3173If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3174defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3175
3176=item EV_MINIMAL
3177 4692
3178If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 4693If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3179speed, define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this is used to override some 4694speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3180inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size on amd64. It also selects a 4695certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3181much smaller 2-heap for timer management over the default 4-heap. 4696that can be enabled on the platform.
4697
4698A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
4699with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
4700additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
4701but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
4702backend, use this:
4703
4704 #define EV_FEATURES 0
4705 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
4706 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
4707 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4708 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4709
4710The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4711values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4712
4713=over 4
4714
4715=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4716
4717Use larger code to speed up some operations.
4718
4719Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
4720code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4721
4722When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4723gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4724assertions.
4725
4726The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4727(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4728
4729=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4730
4731Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4732hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4733and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4734runtime.
4735
4736The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4737(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4738
4739=item C<4> - full API configuration
4740
4741This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4742enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4743
4744=item C<8> - full API
4745
4746This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
4747details on which parts of the API are still available without this
4748feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
4749
4750=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
4751
4752Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
4753only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
4754embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
4755C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
4756
4757=item C<32> - enable all backends
4758
4759This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
4760least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
4761
4762=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
4763
4764Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
4765default.
4766
4767=back
4768
4769Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
4770reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
4771code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
4772watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
4773
4774With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4775when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4776your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4777I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4778
4779=item EV_API_STATIC
4780
4781If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
4782will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
4783identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
4784when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4785and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4786
4787To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4788wants to use libev.
4789
4790This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4791doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4792
4793=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4794
4795If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4796functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4797somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
4798libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
4799big.
4800
4801Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
4802enabled.
4803
4804=item EV_NSIG
4805
4806The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
4807signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
4808automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
4809specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
4810good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
4811statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3182 4812
3183=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 4813=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3184 4814
3185C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4815C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3186pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 4816pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3187than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 4817usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3188increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 4818might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3189 4819
3190=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 4820=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3191 4821
3192C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4822C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3193inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 4823inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3194usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 4824disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3195watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 4825C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3196two). 4826power of two).
3197 4827
3198=item EV_USE_4HEAP 4828=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3199 4829
3200Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4830Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3201timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined 4831timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3202to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably 4832to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3203faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers. 4833faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3204 4834
3205The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4835The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3206(disabled). 4836will be C<0>.
3207 4837
3208=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT 4838=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3209 4839
3210Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4840Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3211timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within 4841timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3212the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>), 4842the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3213which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code, 4843which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3214but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance 4844but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3215noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers. 4845noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3216 4846
3217The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4847The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3218(disabled). 4848will be C<0>.
3219 4849
3220=item EV_VERIFY 4850=item EV_VERIFY
3221 4851
3222Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will 4852Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3223be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled 4853be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3224in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not 4854in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3225called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be 4855called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3226called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the 4856called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3227verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down 4857verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3228libev considerably. 4858libev considerably.
3229 4859
3230The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be 4860The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3231C<0>. 4861will be C<0>.
3232 4862
3233=item EV_COMMON 4863=item EV_COMMON
3234 4864
3235By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 4865By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3236this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 4866this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3237members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 4867members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3238though, and it must be identical each time. 4868though, and it must be identical each time.
3239 4869
3240For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 4870For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3241 4871
3294file. 4924file.
3295 4925
3296The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 4926The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3297that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 4927that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3298 4928
3299 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 4929 #define EV_FEATURES 8
3300 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 4930 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3301 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3302 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 4931 #define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
4932 #define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3303 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 4933 #define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3304 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 4934 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4935 #define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3305 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 4936 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3306 #define EV_MINPRI 0
3307 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
3308 4937
3309 #include "ev++.h" 4938 #include "ev++.h"
3310 4939
3311And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 4940And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
3312 4941
3313 #include "ev_cpp.h" 4942 #include "ev_cpp.h"
3314 #include "ev.c" 4943 #include "ev.c"
3315 4944
3316=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES 4945=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
3317 4946
3318=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES 4947=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
3319 4948
3320=head3 THREADS 4949=head3 THREADS
3321 4950
3372default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 5001default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
3373watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 5002watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
3374 5003
3375=back 5004=back
3376 5005
5006See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
5007
3377=head3 COROUTINES 5008=head3 COROUTINES
3378 5009
3379Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 5010Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
3380libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 5011libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
3381coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 5012coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
3382different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running the 5013different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
3383loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is that 5014the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
3384you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 5015that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
3385 5016
3386Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside 5017Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
3387C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as 5018C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
3388they do not clal any callbacks. 5019they do not call any callbacks.
3389 5020
3390=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS 5021=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
3391 5022
3392Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a 5023Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
3393lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently 5024lot of warnings when compiling libev code. Some people are apparently
3403maintainable. 5034maintainable.
3404 5035
3405And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply 5036And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
3406wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message 5037wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
3407seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some 5038seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
3408warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have 5039warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
3409been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with 5040been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
3410such buggy versions. 5041such buggy versions.
3411 5042
3412While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible, 5043While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
3413"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev 5044"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
3427 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 5058 ==2274== definitely lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3428 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks. 5059 ==2274== possibly lost: 0 bytes in 0 blocks.
3429 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks. 5060 ==2274== still reachable: 256 bytes in 1 blocks.
3430 5061
3431Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables 5062Then there is no memory leak, just as memory accounted to global variables
3432is not a memleak - the memory is still being refernced, and didn't leak. 5063is not a memleak - the memory is still being referenced, and didn't leak.
3433 5064
3434Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs 5065Similarly, under some circumstances, valgrind might report kernel bugs
3435as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend, 5066as if it were a bug in libev (e.g. in realloc or in the poll backend,
3436although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be 5067although an acceptable workaround has been found here), or it might be
3437confused. 5068confused.
3449I suggest using suppression lists. 5080I suggest using suppression lists.
3450 5081
3451 5082
3452=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES 5083=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
3453 5084
5085=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
5086
5087GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
5088interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
5089
5090That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
5091files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
5092
5093Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
5094by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
5095standard libev compiled for their system.
5096
5097Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
5098suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
5099i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
5100
5101=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
5102
5103The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
5104you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
5105OpenGL drivers.
5106
5107=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
5108
5109The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
5110only sockets, many support pipes.
5111
5112Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
5113rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
5114loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
5115probably going to work well.
5116
5117=head3 C<poll> is buggy
5118
5119Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
5120implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
5121release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
5122
5123Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
5124this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
5125a loop.
5126
5127=head3 C<select> is buggy
5128
5129All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
5130one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
5131descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
5132you use more.
5133
5134There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
5135C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
5136work on OS/X.
5137
5138=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
5139
5140=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
5141
5142The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
5143thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
5144without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
5145defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
5146
5147If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
5148it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
5149
5150=head3 Event port backend
5151
5152The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
5153ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
5154releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
5155a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
5156and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
5157are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
5158great.
5159
5160If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
5161the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
5162C<select> backends.
5163
5164=head2 AIX POLL BUG
5165
5166AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
5167this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
5168compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
5169with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
5170
3454=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS 5171=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
5172
5173=head3 General issues
3455 5174
3456Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev 5175Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
3457requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 5176requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
3458model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 5177model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
3459the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 5178the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
3460descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 5179descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
3461e.g. cygwin. 5180e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
5181as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
5182environment.
3462 5183
3463Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 5184Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
3464re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of 5185re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
3465things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable 5186then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
3466way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man). 5187also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
3467 5188
3468There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 5189There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
3469embedding it into other applications. 5190embedding it into other applications.
5191
5192Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
5193tries its best, but under most conditions, signals will simply not work.
3470 5194
3471Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't 5195Not a libev limitation but worth mentioning: windows apparently doesn't
3472accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will 5196accept large writes: instead of resulting in a partial write, windows will
3473either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large, 5197either accept everything or return C<ENOBUFS> if the buffer is too large,
3474so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a 5198so make sure you only write small amounts into your sockets (less than a
3479the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets 5203the abysmal performance of winsockets, using a large number of sockets
3480is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use 5204is not recommended (and not reasonable). If your program needs to use
3481more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally 5205more than a hundred or so sockets, then likely it needs to use a totally
3482different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness 5206different implementation for windows, as libev offers the POSIX readiness
3483notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows 5207notification model, which cannot be implemented efficiently on windows
3484(Microsoft monopoly games). 5208(due to Microsoft monopoly games).
3485 5209
3486A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding 5210A typical way to use libev under windows is to embed it (see the embedding
3487section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead 5211section for details) and use the following F<evwrap.h> header file instead
3488of F<ev.h>: 5212of F<ev.h>:
3489 5213
3496you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!): 5220you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
3497 5221
3498 #include "evwrap.h" 5222 #include "evwrap.h"
3499 #include "ev.c" 5223 #include "ev.c"
3500 5224
3501=over 4
3502
3503=item The winsocket select function 5225=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
3504 5226
3505The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it 5227The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
3506requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is 5228requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
3507also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also 5229also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
3508requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft 5230requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
3517 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */ 5239 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
3518 5240
3519Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a 5241Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
3520complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32. 5242complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
3521 5243
3522=item Limited number of file descriptors 5244=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
3523 5245
3524Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. 5246Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
3525 5247
3526Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum 5248Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
3527of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels 5249of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
3528can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft 5250can only wait for C<64> things at the same time internally; Microsoft
3529recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the 5251recommends spawning a chain of threads and wait for 63 handles and the
3530previous thread in each. Great). 5252previous thread in each. Sounds great!).
3531 5253
3532Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE> 5254Newer versions support more handles, but you need to define C<FD_SETSIZE>
3533to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select 5255to some high number (e.g. C<2048>) before compiling the winsocket select
3534call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl does its own 5256call (which might be in libev or elsewhere, for example, perl and many
3535select emulation on windows). 5257other interpreters do their own select emulation on windows).
3536 5258
3537Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime 5259Another limit is the number of file descriptors in the Microsoft runtime
3538libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64> fetish 5260libraries, which by default is C<64> (there must be a hidden I<64>
3539or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this by calling 5261fetish or something like this inside Microsoft). You can increase this
3540C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048> (another 5262by calling C<_setmaxstdio>, which can increase this limit to C<2048>
3541arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft runtime 5263(another arbitrary limit), but is broken in many versions of the Microsoft
3542libraries.
3543
3544This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets (depending on 5264runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
3545windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, you need to 5265(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
3546wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but the cost of 5266you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
3547calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 5267the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
3548
3549=back
3550 5268
3551=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS 5269=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
3552 5270
3553In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the 5271In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
3554backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions: 5272backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
3561Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal 5279Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
3562structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also 5280structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
3563assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher 5281assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
3564callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev 5282callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
3565calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally. 5283calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
5284
5285=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
5286
5287Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
5288writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
3566 5289
3567=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well 5290=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
3568 5291
3569The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as 5292The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
3570C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different 5293C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
3593watchers. 5316watchers.
3594 5317
3595=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy 5318=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
3596 5319
3597The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5320The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
3598have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good 5321have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
3599enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by 5322good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
5323(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
3600implementations implementing IEEE 754 (basically all existing ones). 5324implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
5325
5326With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
5327year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
5328is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
5329something like that, just kidding).
3601 5330
3602=back 5331=back
3603 5332
3604If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5333If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
3605 5334
3667=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers) 5396=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
3668 5397
3669=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number) 5398=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
3670 5399
3671Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send> 5400Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
3672calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events 5401calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
5402blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
3673involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5403running async watchers or all signal numbers.
3674 5404
3675=back 5405=back
3676 5406
3677 5407
5408=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
5409
5410The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
5411
5412At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
5413for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
5414layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
5415new API early than late.
5416
5417=over 4
5418
5419=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
5420
5421The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5422C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L</EMBEDDING>
5423section.
5424
5425=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5426
5427These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
5428
5429 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
5430 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
5431
5432=item function/symbol renames
5433
5434A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
5435
5436 ev_loop => ev_run
5437 EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
5438 EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
5439
5440 ev_unloop => ev_break
5441 EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
5442 EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
5443 EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
5444
5445 EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
5446
5447 ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
5448 ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
5449 ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
5450
5451Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
5452C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
5453associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
5454ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
5455as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
5456C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
5457typedef.
5458
5459=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
5460
5461The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
5462mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
5463and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
5464
5465=back
5466
5467
5468=head1 GLOSSARY
5469
5470=over 4
5471
5472=item active
5473
5474A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
5475See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5476
5477=item application
5478
5479In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
5480
5481=item backend
5482
5483The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
5484
5485=item callback
5486
5487The address of a function that is called when some event has been
5488detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
5489received the event, and the actual event bitset.
5490
5491=item callback/watcher invocation
5492
5493The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
5494
5495=item event
5496
5497A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
5498for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
5499any other events happening anymore.
5500
5501In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
5502C<EV_TIMER>).
5503
5504=item event library
5505
5506A software package implementing an event model and loop.
5507
5508=item event loop
5509
5510An entity that handles and processes external events and converts them
5511into callback invocations.
5512
5513=item event model
5514
5515The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
5516watchers and events.
5517
5518=item pending
5519
5520A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
5521detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
5522
5523=item real time
5524
5525The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
5526
5527=item wall-clock time
5528
5529The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
5530be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
5531clock.
5532
5533=item watcher
5534
5535A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
5536to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
5537
5538=back
5539
3678=head1 AUTHOR 5540=head1 AUTHOR
3679 5541
3680Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>. 5542Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5543Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
3681 5544

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