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Revision 1.427 by root, Sun Apr 28 14:57:12 2013 UTC vs.
Revision 1.439 by root, Tue Mar 1 19:19:25 2016 UTC

1=encoding utf-8
2
1=head1 NAME 3=head1 NAME
2 4
3libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C 5libev - a high performance full-featured event loop written in C
4 6
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 7=head1 SYNOPSIS
414GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 416GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence
415without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has 417without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has
416C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 418C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster).
417 419
418The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 420The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
419forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 421forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking, although you still
420flag. 422have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>) when you use this flag.
421 423
422This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 424This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
423environment variable. 425environment variable.
424 426
425=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY> 427=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
680If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new> 682If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
681and C<ev_loop_destroy>. 683and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
682 684
683=item ev_loop_fork (loop) 685=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
684 686
685This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations to 687This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
686reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 688to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite
687name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 689the name, you can call it anytime you are allowed to start or stop
688the child process. You I<must> call it (or use C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the 690watchers (except inside an C<ev_prepare> callback), but it makes most
691sense after forking, in the child process. You I<must> call it (or use
689child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>. 692C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
690 693
694In addition, if you want to reuse a loop (via this function or
695C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>), you I<also> have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>.
696
691Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after 697Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
692a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is 698a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
693because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things 699because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
694during fork. 700during fork.
695 701
696On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 702On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
2026 2032
2027The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2033The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
2028time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 2034time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
2029of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 2035of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
2030you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the 2036you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
2031timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 2037timeout on the current time, use something like the following to adjust
2038for it:
2032 2039
2033 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 2040 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + (ev_time () - ev_now ()), 0.);
2034 2041
2035If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 2042If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
2036update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 2043update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
2037()>. 2044()>, although that will push the event time of all outstanding events
2045further into the future.
2038 2046
2039=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks 2047=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2040 2048
2041Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal 2049Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2042"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time 2050"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2201Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 2209Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
2202(and unfortunately a bit complex). 2210(and unfortunately a bit complex).
2203 2211
2204Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or 2212Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
2205relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time 2213relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
2206(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The 2214(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calendar or clock). The
2207difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real 2215difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
2208time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your 2216time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
2209wrist-watch). 2217wrist-watch).
2210 2218
2211You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point 2219You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
2391 2399
2392 ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2400 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
2393 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2401 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
2394 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2402 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
2395 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2403 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
2396 2404
2397 2405
2398=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2406=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2399 2407
2400Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2408Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2401signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2409signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
2411only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your 2419only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2412default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for 2420default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2413C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At 2421C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2414the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop. 2422the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2415 2423
2416When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something 2424Only after the first watcher for a signal is started will libev actually
2417with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as 2425register something with the kernel. It thus coexists with your own signal
2418you don't register any with libev for the same signal). 2426handlers as long as you don't register any with libev for the same signal.
2419 2427
2420If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 2428If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
2421C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should 2429C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2422not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting 2430not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2423interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher 2431interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2905 2913
2906Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs: 2914Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2907prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 2915prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2908afterwards. 2916afterwards.
2909 2917
2910You I<must not> call C<ev_run> or similar functions that enter 2918You I<must not> call C<ev_run> (or similar functions that enter the
2911the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 2919current event loop) or C<ev_loop_fork> from either C<ev_prepare> or
2912watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 2920C<ev_check> watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine,
2913rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 2921however. The rationale behind this is that you do not need to check
2914those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 2922for recursion in those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be
2915C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 2923C<ev_prepare>, blocking, C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each
2916called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 2924kind they will always be called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
2917 2925
2918Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 2926Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
2919their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track 2927their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
2920variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 2928variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
2921coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 2929coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
3211used). 3219used).
3212 3220
3213 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 3221 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
3214 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 3222 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
3215 ev_embed embed; 3223 ev_embed embed;
3216 3224
3217 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works 3225 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
3218 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection) 3226 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
3219 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends () 3227 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
3220 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()) 3228 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
3221 : 0; 3229 : 0;
3235C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too). 3243C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
3236 3244
3237 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 3245 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
3238 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0; 3246 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
3239 ev_embed embed; 3247 ev_embed embed;
3240 3248
3241 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE) 3249 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
3242 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)) 3250 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
3243 { 3251 {
3244 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket); 3252 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
3245 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed); 3253 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
3261and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too, 3269and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too,
3262of course. 3270of course.
3263 3271
3264=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible? 3272=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
3265 3273
3266Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set 3274Most uses of C<fork ()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
3267up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This 3275up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
3268sequence should be handled by libev without any problems. 3276sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
3269 3277
3270This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling 3278This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
3271in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the 3279in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
3895To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two 3903To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
3896files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files: 3904files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
3897 3905
3898 // my_ev.h 3906 // my_ev.h
3899 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb; 3907 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3900 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb); 3908 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
3901 #include "../libev/ev.h" 3909 #include "../libev/ev.h"
3902 3910
3903 // my_ev.c 3911 // my_ev.c
3904 #define EV_H "my_ev.h" 3912 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
3905 #include "../libev/ev.c" 3913 #include "../libev/ev.c"
3982Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 3990Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3983you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 3991you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3984the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 3992the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3985 3993
3986To use it, 3994To use it,
3987 3995
3988 #include <ev++.h> 3996 #include <ev++.h>
3989 3997
3990This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 3998This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
3991of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 3999of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
3992put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 4000put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
4095 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents) 4103 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
4096 { 4104 {
4097 ... 4105 ...
4098 } 4106 }
4099 } 4107 }
4100 4108
4101 myfunctor f; 4109 myfunctor f;
4102 4110
4103 ev::io w; 4111 ev::io w;
4104 w.set (&f); 4112 w.set (&f);
4105 4113
5292structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also 5300structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
5293assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher 5301assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
5294callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev 5302callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
5295calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally. 5303calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
5296 5304
5305=item null pointers and integer zero are represented by 0 bytes
5306
5307Libev uses C<memset> to initialise structs and arrays to C<0> bytes, and
5308relies on this setting pointers and integers to null.
5309
5297=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic 5310=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
5298 5311
5299Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and 5312Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
5300writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures. 5313writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
5301 5314
5429=over 4 5442=over 4
5430 5443
5431=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism 5444=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
5432 5445
5433The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by 5446The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5434C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS> in the L</EMBEDDING> 5447C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</"PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS"> in the L</EMBEDDING>
5435section. 5448section.
5436 5449
5437=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed 5450=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5438 5451
5439These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts: 5452These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:

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