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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
26 puts ("stdin ready"); 28 puts ("stdin ready");
27 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher 29 // for one-shot events, one must manually stop the watcher
28 // with its corresponding stop function. 30 // with its corresponding stop function.
29 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 31 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
30 32
31 // this causes all nested ev_loop's to stop iterating 33 // this causes all nested ev_run's to stop iterating
32 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ALL); 34 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ALL);
33 } 35 }
34 36
35 // another callback, this time for a time-out 37 // another callback, this time for a time-out
36 static void 38 static void
37 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 39 timeout_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
38 { 40 {
39 puts ("timeout"); 41 puts ("timeout");
40 // this causes the innermost ev_loop to stop iterating 42 // this causes the innermost ev_run to stop iterating
41 ev_unloop (EV_A_ EVUNLOOP_ONE); 43 ev_break (EV_A_ EVBREAK_ONE);
42 } 44 }
43 45
44 int 46 int
45 main (void) 47 main (void)
46 { 48 {
47 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs 49 // use the default event loop unless you have special needs
48 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 50 struct ev_loop *loop = EV_DEFAULT;
49 51
50 // initialise an io watcher, then start it 52 // initialise an io watcher, then start it
51 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable 53 // this one will watch for stdin to become readable
52 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ); 54 ev_io_init (&stdin_watcher, stdin_cb, /*STDIN_FILENO*/ 0, EV_READ);
53 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 55 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
56 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout 58 // simple non-repeating 5.5 second timeout
57 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.); 59 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
58 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher); 60 ev_timer_start (loop, &timeout_watcher);
59 61
60 // now wait for events to arrive 62 // now wait for events to arrive
61 ev_loop (loop, 0); 63 ev_run (loop, 0);
62 64
63 // unloop was called, so exit 65 // break was called, so exit
64 return 0; 66 return 0;
65 } 67 }
66 68
67=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT 69=head1 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
68 70
75While this document tries to be as complete as possible in documenting 77While 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 78libev, its usage and the rationale behind its design, it is not a tutorial
77on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming 79on event-based programming, nor will it introduce event-based programming
78with libev. 80with libev.
79 81
80Familarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed 82Familiarity with event based programming techniques in general is assumed
81throughout this document. 83throughout this document.
84
85=head1 WHAT TO READ WHEN IN A HURRY
86
87This manual tries to be very detailed, but unfortunately, this also makes
88it very long. If you just want to know the basics of libev, I suggest
89reading L</ANATOMY OF A WATCHER>, then the L</EXAMPLE PROGRAM> above and
90look up the missing functions in L</GLOBAL FUNCTIONS> and the C<ev_io> and
91C<ev_timer> sections in L</WATCHER TYPES>.
82 92
83=head1 ABOUT LIBEV 93=head1 ABOUT LIBEV
84 94
85Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a 95Libev is an event loop: you register interest in certain events (such as a
86file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage 96file descriptor being readable or a timeout occurring), and it will manage
95details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the 105details of the event, and then hand it over to libev by I<starting> the
96watcher. 106watcher.
97 107
98=head2 FEATURES 108=head2 FEATURES
99 109
100Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific C<epoll>, the 110Libev supports C<select>, C<poll>, the Linux-specific aio and C<epoll>
101BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port mechanisms 111interfaces, the BSD-specific C<kqueue> and the Solaris-specific event port
102for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify> interface 112mechanisms for file descriptor events (C<ev_io>), the Linux C<inotify>
103(for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner 113interface (for C<ev_stat>), Linux eventfd/signalfd (for faster and cleaner
104inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative 114inter-thread wakeup (C<ev_async>)/signal handling (C<ev_signal>)) relative
105timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling 115timers (C<ev_timer>), absolute timers with customised rescheduling
106(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status 116(C<ev_periodic>), synchronous signals (C<ev_signal>), process status
107change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event 117change events (C<ev_child>), and event watchers dealing with the event
108loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and 118loop mechanism itself (C<ev_idle>, C<ev_embed>, C<ev_prepare> and
118Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common) 128Libev is very configurable. In this manual the default (and most common)
119configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For 129configuration will be described, which supports multiple event loops. For
120more info about various configuration options please have a look at 130more info about various configuration options please have a look at
121B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support 131B<EMBED> section in this manual. If libev was configured without support
122for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of 132for multiple event loops, then all functions taking an initial argument of
123name C<loop> (which is always of type C<ev_loop *>) will not have 133name C<loop> (which is always of type C<struct ev_loop *>) will not have
124this argument. 134this argument.
125 135
126=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION 136=head2 TIME REPRESENTATION
127 137
128Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing 138Libev represents time as a single floating point number, representing
129the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (somewhere 139the (fractional) number of seconds since the (POSIX) epoch (in practice
130near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't ask). This 140somewhere near the beginning of 1970, details are complicated, don't
131type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use too. It usually 141ask). This type is called C<ev_tstamp>, which is what you should use
132aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do any calculations 142too. It usually aliases to the C<double> type in C. When you need to do
133on it, you should treat it as some floating point value. Unlike the name 143any calculations on it, you should treat it as some floating point value.
144
134component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for time differences 145Unlike the name component C<stamp> might indicate, it is also used for
135throughout libev. 146time differences (e.g. delays) throughout libev.
136 147
137=head1 ERROR HANDLING 148=head1 ERROR HANDLING
138 149
139Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors 150Libev knows three classes of errors: operating system errors, usage errors
140and internal errors (bugs). 151and internal errors (bugs).
148When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then 159When libev detects a usage error such as a negative timer interval, then
149it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism, 160it will print a diagnostic message and abort (via the C<assert> mechanism,
150so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in 161so C<NDEBUG> will disable this checking): these are programming errors in
151the libev caller and need to be fixed there. 162the libev caller and need to be fixed there.
152 163
164Via the C<EV_FREQUENT> macro you can compile in and/or enable extensive
165consistency checking code inside libev that can be used to check for
166internal inconsistencies, suually caused by application bugs.
167
153Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions, and also has 168Libev also has a few internal error-checking C<assert>ions. These do not
154extensive consistency checking code. These do not trigger under normal
155circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev or worse. 169trigger under normal circumstances, as they indicate either a bug in libev
170or worse.
156 171
157 172
158=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 173=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
159 174
160These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the 175These functions can be called anytime, even before initialising the
164 179
165=item ev_tstamp ev_time () 180=item ev_tstamp ev_time ()
166 181
167Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the 182Returns the current time as libev would use it. Please note that the
168C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp 183C<ev_now> function is usually faster and also often returns the timestamp
169you actually want to know. 184you actually want to know. Also interesting is the combination of
185C<ev_now_update> and C<ev_now>.
170 186
171=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval) 187=item ev_sleep (ev_tstamp interval)
172 188
173Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked until 189Sleep for the given interval: The current thread will be blocked
174either it is interrupted or the given time interval has passed. Basically 190until either it is interrupted or the given time interval has
191passed (approximately - it might return a bit earlier even if not
192interrupted). Returns immediately if C<< interval <= 0 >>.
193
175this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>. 194Basically this is a sub-second-resolution C<sleep ()>.
195
196The range of the C<interval> is limited - libev only guarantees to work
197with sleep times of up to one day (C<< interval <= 86400 >>).
176 198
177=item int ev_version_major () 199=item int ev_version_major ()
178 200
179=item int ev_version_minor () 201=item int ev_version_minor ()
180 202
191as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually 213as this indicates an incompatible change. Minor versions are usually
192compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually 214compatible to older versions, so a larger minor version alone is usually
193not a problem. 215not a problem.
194 216
195Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong 217Example: Make sure we haven't accidentally been linked against the wrong
196version. 218version (note, however, that this will not detect other ABI mismatches,
219such as LFS or reentrancy).
197 220
198 assert (("libev version mismatch", 221 assert (("libev version mismatch",
199 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR 222 ev_version_major () == EV_VERSION_MAJOR
200 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR)); 223 && ev_version_minor () >= EV_VERSION_MINOR));
201 224
212 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex", 235 assert (("sorry, no epoll, no sex",
213 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL)); 236 ev_supported_backends () & EVBACKEND_EPOLL));
214 237
215=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends () 238=item unsigned int ev_recommended_backends ()
216 239
217Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and also 240Return the set of all backends compiled into this binary of libev and
218recommended for this platform. This set is often smaller than the one 241also recommended for this platform, meaning it will work for most file
242descriptor types. This set is often smaller than the one returned by
219returned by C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on 243C<ev_supported_backends>, as for example kqueue is broken on most BSDs
220most BSDs and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it 244and will not be auto-detected unless you explicitly request it (assuming
221(assuming you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that 245you know what you are doing). This is the set of backends that libev will
222libev will probe for if you specify no backends explicitly. 246probe for if you specify no backends explicitly.
223 247
224=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends () 248=item unsigned int ev_embeddable_backends ()
225 249
226Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This 250Returns the set of backends that are embeddable in other event loops. This
227is the theoretical, all-platform, value. To find which backends 251value is platform-specific but can include backends not available on the
228might be supported on the current system, you would need to look at 252current system. To find which embeddable backends might be supported on
229C<ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for 253the current system, you would need to look at C<ev_embeddable_backends ()
230recommended ones. 254& ev_supported_backends ()>, likewise for recommended ones.
231 255
232See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 256See the description of C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
233 257
234=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size)) [NOT REENTRANT] 258=item ev_set_allocator (void *(*cb)(void *ptr, long size) throw ())
235 259
236Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the 260Sets the allocation function to use (the prototype is similar - the
237semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is 261semantics are identical to the C<realloc> C89/SuS/POSIX function). It is
238used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero 262used to allocate and free memory (no surprises here). If it returns zero
239when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort 263when memory needs to be allocated (C<size != 0>), the library might abort
245 269
246You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say, 270You could override this function in high-availability programs to, say,
247free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator, 271free some memory if it cannot allocate memory, to use a special allocator,
248or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available. 272or even to sleep a while and retry until some memory is available.
249 273
274Example: The following is the C<realloc> function that libev itself uses
275which should work with C<realloc> and C<free> functions of all kinds and
276is probably a good basis for your own implementation.
277
278 static void *
279 ev_realloc_emul (void *ptr, long size) EV_NOEXCEPT
280 {
281 if (size)
282 return realloc (ptr, size);
283
284 free (ptr);
285 return 0;
286 }
287
250Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then 288Example: Replace the libev allocator with one that waits a bit and then
251retries (example requires a standards-compliant C<realloc>). 289retries.
252 290
253 static void * 291 static void *
254 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size) 292 persistent_realloc (void *ptr, size_t size)
255 { 293 {
294 if (!size)
295 {
296 free (ptr);
297 return 0;
298 }
299
256 for (;;) 300 for (;;)
257 { 301 {
258 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size); 302 void *newptr = realloc (ptr, size);
259 303
260 if (newptr) 304 if (newptr)
265 } 309 }
266 310
267 ... 311 ...
268 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc); 312 ev_set_allocator (persistent_realloc);
269 313
270=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg)); [NOT REENTRANT] 314=item ev_set_syserr_cb (void (*cb)(const char *msg) throw ())
271 315
272Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such 316Set the callback function to call on a retryable system call error (such
273as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string 317as failed select, poll, epoll_wait). The message is a printable string
274indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this 318indicating the system call or subsystem causing the problem. If this
275callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no 319callback is set, then libev will expect it to remedy the situation, no
287 } 331 }
288 332
289 ... 333 ...
290 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error); 334 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
291 335
336=item ev_feed_signal (int signum)
337
338This function can be used to "simulate" a signal receive. It is completely
339safe to call this function at any time, from any context, including signal
340handlers or random threads.
341
342Its main use is to customise signal handling in your process, especially
343in the presence of threads. For example, you could block signals
344by default in all threads (and specifying C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when
345creating any loops), and in one thread, use C<sigwait> or any other
346mechanism to wait for signals, then "deliver" them to libev by calling
347C<ev_feed_signal>.
348
292=back 349=back
293 350
294=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING THE EVENT LOOP 351=head1 FUNCTIONS CONTROLLING EVENT LOOPS
295 352
296An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> 353An event loop is described by a C<struct ev_loop *> (the C<struct> is
297is I<not> optional in this case, as there is also an C<ev_loop> 354I<not> optional in this case unless libev 3 compatibility is disabled, as
298I<function>). 355libev 3 had an C<ev_loop> function colliding with the struct name).
299 356
300The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which 357The library knows two types of such loops, the I<default> loop, which
301supports signals and child events, and dynamically created loops which do 358supports child process events, and dynamically created event loops which
302not. 359do not.
303 360
304=over 4 361=over 4
305 362
306=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags) 363=item struct ev_loop *ev_default_loop (unsigned int flags)
307 364
308This will initialise the default event loop if it hasn't been initialised 365This returns the "default" event loop object, which is what you should
309yet and return it. If the default loop could not be initialised, returns 366normally use when you just need "the event loop". Event loop objects and
310false. If it already was initialised it simply returns it (and ignores the 367the C<flags> parameter are described in more detail in the entry for
311flags. If that is troubling you, check C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). 368C<ev_loop_new>.
369
370If the default loop is already initialised then this function simply
371returns it (and ignores the flags. If that is troubling you, check
372C<ev_backend ()> afterwards). Otherwise it will create it with the given
373flags, which should almost always be C<0>, unless the caller is also the
374one calling C<ev_run> or otherwise qualifies as "the main program".
312 375
313If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this 376If you don't know what event loop to use, use the one returned from this
314function. 377function (or via the C<EV_DEFAULT> macro).
315 378
316Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it 379Note that this function is I<not> thread-safe, so if you want to use it
317from multiple threads, you have to lock (note also that this is unlikely, 380from multiple threads, you have to employ some kind of mutex (note also
318as loops cannot be shared easily between threads anyway). 381that this case is unlikely, as loops cannot be shared easily between
382threads anyway).
319 383
320The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_signal> and 384The default loop is the only loop that can handle C<ev_child> watchers,
321C<ev_child> watchers, and to do this, it always registers a handler 385and to do this, it always registers a handler for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is
322for C<SIGCHLD>. If this is a problem for your application you can either 386a problem for your application you can either create a dynamic loop with
323create a dynamic loop with C<ev_loop_new> that doesn't do that, or you 387C<ev_loop_new> which doesn't do that, or you can simply overwrite the
324can simply overwrite the C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling 388C<SIGCHLD> signal handler I<after> calling C<ev_default_init>.
325C<ev_default_init>. 389
390Example: This is the most typical usage.
391
392 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
393 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
394
395Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
396environment settings to be taken into account:
397
398 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
399
400=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
401
402This will create and initialise a new event loop object. If the loop
403could not be initialised, returns false.
404
405This function is thread-safe, and one common way to use libev with
406threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the default
407loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
326 408
327The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific 409The flags argument can be used to specify special behaviour or specific
328backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). 410backends to use, and is usually specified as C<0> (or C<EVFLAG_AUTO>).
329 411
330The following flags are supported: 412The following flags are supported:
340 422
341If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid 423If this flag bit is or'ed into the flag value (or the program runs setuid
342or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable 424or setgid) then libev will I<not> look at the environment variable
343C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will 425C<LIBEV_FLAGS>. Otherwise (the default), this environment variable will
344override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is 426override the flags completely if it is found in the environment. This is
345useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, or to work 427useful to try out specific backends to test their performance, to work
346around bugs. 428around bugs, or to make libev threadsafe (accessing environment variables
429cannot be done in a threadsafe way, but usually it works if no other
430thread modifies them).
347 431
348=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK> 432=item C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>
349 433
350Instead of calling C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork> manually after 434Instead of calling C<ev_loop_fork> manually after a fork, you can also
351a fork, you can also make libev check for a fork in each iteration by 435make libev check for a fork in each iteration by enabling this flag.
352enabling this flag.
353 436
354This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop, 437This works by calling C<getpid ()> on every iteration of the loop,
355and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop 438and thus this might slow down your event loop if you do a lot of loop
356iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my 439iterations and little real work, but is usually not noticeable (on my
357GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn sequence 440GNU/Linux system for example, C<getpid> is actually a simple 5-insn
358without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux system also has 441sequence without a system call and thus I<very> fast, but my GNU/Linux
359C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). 442system also has C<pthread_atfork> which is even faster). (Update: glibc
443versions 2.25 apparently removed the C<getpid> optimisation again).
360 444
361The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and 445The big advantage of this flag is that you can forget about fork (and
362forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking) when you use this 446forget about forgetting to tell libev about forking, although you still
363flag. 447have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>) when you use this flag.
364 448
365This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> 449This flag setting cannot be overridden or specified in the C<LIBEV_FLAGS>
366environment variable. 450environment variable.
367 451
368=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY> 452=item C<EVFLAG_NOINOTIFY>
369 453
370When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 454When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the
371I<inotify> API for it's C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and 455I<inotify> API for its C<ev_stat> watchers. Apart from debugging and
372testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as 456testing, this flag can be useful to conserve inotify file descriptors, as
373otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle. 457otherwise each loop using C<ev_stat> watchers consumes one inotify handle.
374 458
375=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGFD> 459=item C<EVFLAG_SIGNALFD>
376 460
377When this flag is specified, then libev will not attempt to use the 461When this flag is specified, then libev will attempt to use the
378I<signalfd> API for it's C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This is 462I<signalfd> API for its C<ev_signal> (and C<ev_child>) watchers. This API
379probably only useful to work around any bugs in libev. Consequently, this 463delivers signals synchronously, which makes it both faster and might make
380flag might go away once the signalfd functionality is considered stable, 464it possible to get the queued signal data. It can also simplify signal
381so it's useful mostly in environment variables and not in program code. 465handling with threads, as long as you properly block signals in your
466threads that are not interested in handling them.
467
468Signalfd will not be used by default as this changes your signal mask, and
469there are a lot of shoddy libraries and programs (glib's threadpool for
470example) that can't properly initialise their signal masks.
471
472=item C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>
473
474When this flag is specified, then libev will avoid to modify the signal
475mask. Specifically, this means you have to make sure signals are unblocked
476when you want to receive them.
477
478This behaviour is useful when you want to do your own signal handling, or
479want to handle signals only in specific threads and want to avoid libev
480unblocking the signals.
481
482It's also required by POSIX in a threaded program, as libev calls
483C<sigprocmask>, whose behaviour is officially unspecified.
484
485=item C<EVFLAG_NOTIMERFD>
486
487When this flag is specified, the libev will avoid using a C<timerfd> to
488detect time jumps. It will still be able to detect time jumps, but takes
489longer and has a lower accuracy in doing so, but saves a file descriptor
490per loop.
491
492The current implementation only tries to use a C<timerfd> when the first
493C<ev_periodic> watcher is started and falls back on other methods if it
494cannot be created, but this behaviour might change in the future.
382 495
383=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend) 496=item C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> (value 1, portable select backend)
384 497
385This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as 498This is your standard select(2) backend. Not I<completely> standard, as
386libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds, 499libev tries to roll its own fd_set with no limits on the number of fds,
411This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and 524This backend maps C<EV_READ> to C<POLLIN | POLLERR | POLLHUP>, and
412C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>. 525C<EV_WRITE> to C<POLLOUT | POLLERR | POLLHUP>.
413 526
414=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux) 527=item C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL> (value 4, Linux)
415 528
416Use the linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9 529Use the Linux-specific epoll(7) interface (for both pre- and post-2.6.9
417kernels). 530kernels).
418 531
419For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, 532For few fds, this backend is a bit little slower than poll and select, but
420but it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale 533it scales phenomenally better. While poll and select usually scale like
421like O(total_fds) where n is the total number of fds (or the highest fd), 534O(total_fds) where total_fds is the total number of fds (or the highest
422epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds). 535fd), epoll scales either O(1) or O(active_fds).
423 536
424The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned 537The epoll mechanism deserves honorable mention as the most misdesigned
425of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently 538of the more advanced event mechanisms: mere annoyances include silently
426dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file 539dropping file descriptors, requiring a system call per change per file
427descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup and 540descriptor (and unnecessary guessing of parameters), problems with dup,
541returning before the timeout value, resulting in additional iterations
542(and only giving 5ms accuracy while select on the same platform gives
428so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program forks then 5430.1ms) and so on. The biggest issue is fork races, however - if a program
429I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll set, which can 544forks then I<both> parent and child process have to recreate the epoll
430take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor) and is of course 545set, which can take considerable time (one syscall per file descriptor)
431hard to detect. 546and is of course hard to detect.
432 547
433Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work, but 548Epoll is also notoriously buggy - embedding epoll fds I<should> work,
434of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for totally 549but of course I<doesn't>, and epoll just loves to report events for
435I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so one cannot 550totally I<different> file descriptors (even already closed ones, so
436even remove them from the set) than registered in the set (especially 551one cannot even remove them from the set) than registered in the set
437on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious notifications by 552(especially on SMP systems). Libev tries to counter these spurious
438employing an additional generation counter and comparing that against the 553notifications by employing an additional generation counter and comparing
439events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set when required. 554that against the events to filter out spurious ones, recreating the set
555when required. Epoll also erroneously rounds down timeouts, but gives you
556no way to know when and by how much, so sometimes you have to busy-wait
557because epoll returns immediately despite a nonzero timeout. And last
558not least, it also refuses to work with some file descriptors which work
559perfectly fine with C<select> (files, many character devices...).
560
561Epoll is truly the train wreck among event poll mechanisms, a frankenpoll,
562cobbled together in a hurry, no thought to design or interaction with
563others. Oh, the pain, will it ever stop...
440 564
441While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration 565While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher in the same iteration
442will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such 566will result in some caching, there is still a system call per such
443incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different 567incident (because the same I<file descriptor> could point to a different
444I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed 568I<file description> now), so its best to avoid that. Also, C<dup ()>'ed
456All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or 580All this means that, in practice, C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> can be as fast or
457faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on 581faster than epoll for maybe up to a hundred file descriptors, depending on
458the usage. So sad. 582the usage. So sad.
459 583
460While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in 584While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this feature is broken in
461all kernel versions tested so far. 585a lot of kernel revisions, but probably(!) works in current versions.
462 586
463This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 587This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
464C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 588C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
465 589
590=item C<EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO> (value 64, Linux)
591
592Use the Linux-specific Linux AIO (I<not> C<< aio(7) >> but C<<
593io_submit(2) >>) event interface available in post-4.18 kernels (but libev
594only tries to use it in 4.19+).
595
596This is another Linux train wreck of an event interface.
597
598If this backend works for you (as of this writing, it was very
599experimental), it is the best event interface available on Linux and might
600be well worth enabling it - if it isn't available in your kernel this will
601be detected and this backend will be skipped.
602
603This backend can batch oneshot requests and supports a user-space ring
604buffer to receive events. It also doesn't suffer from most of the design
605problems of epoll (such as not being able to remove event sources from
606the epoll set), and generally sounds too good to be true. Because, this
607being the Linux kernel, of course it suffers from a whole new set of
608limitations, forcing you to fall back to epoll, inheriting all its design
609issues.
610
611For one, it is not easily embeddable (but probably could be done using
612an event fd at some extra overhead). It also is subject to a system wide
613limit that can be configured in F</proc/sys/fs/aio-max-nr>. If no AIO
614requests are left, this backend will be skipped during initialisation, and
615will switch to epoll when the loop is active.
616
617Most problematic in practice, however, is that not all file descriptors
618work with it. For example, in Linux 5.1, TCP sockets, pipes, event fds,
619files, F</dev/null> and many others are supported, but ttys do not work
620properly (a known bug that the kernel developers don't care about, see
621L<https://lore.kernel.org/patchwork/patch/1047453/>), so this is not
622(yet?) a generic event polling interface.
623
624Overall, it seems the Linux developers just don't want it to have a
625generic event handling mechanism other than C<select> or C<poll>.
626
627To work around all these problem, the current version of libev uses its
628epoll backend as a fallback for file descriptor types that do not work. Or
629falls back completely to epoll if the kernel acts up.
630
631This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
632C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
633
466=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones) 634=item C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE> (value 8, most BSD clones)
467 635
468Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time of this writing, it 636Kqueue deserves special mention, as at the time this backend was
469was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't work reliably 637implemented, it was broken on all BSDs except NetBSD (usually it doesn't
470with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin, where of course 638work reliably with anything but sockets and pipes, except on Darwin,
471it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose brokenness 639where of course it's completely useless). Unlike epoll, however, whose
472is by design, these kqueue bugs can (and eventually will) be fixed 640brokenness is by design, these kqueue bugs can be (and mostly have been)
473without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not being 641fixed without API changes to existing programs. For this reason it's not
474"auto-detected" unless you explicitly specify it in the flags (i.e. using 642being "auto-detected" on all platforms unless you explicitly specify it
475C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a known-to-be-good (-enough) 643in the flags (i.e. using C<EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>) or libev was compiled on a
476system like NetBSD. 644known-to-be-good (-enough) system like NetBSD.
477 645
478You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it 646You still can embed kqueue into a normal poll or select backend and use it
479only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on 647only for sockets (after having made sure that sockets work with kqueue on
480the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info. 648the target platform). See C<ev_embed> watchers for more info.
481 649
482It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the 650It scales in the same way as the epoll backend, but the interface to the
483kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of 651kernel is more efficient (which says nothing about its actual speed, of
484course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never 652course). While stopping, setting and starting an I/O watcher does never
485cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to 653cause an extra system call as with C<EVBACKEND_EPOLL>, it still adds up to
486two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (but 654two event changes per incident. Support for C<fork ()> is very bad (you
487sane, unlike epoll) and it drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect 655might have to leak fds on fork, but it's more sane than epoll) and it
488cases 656drops fds silently in similarly hard-to-detect cases.
489 657
490This backend usually performs well under most conditions. 658This backend usually performs well under most conditions.
491 659
492While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work 660While nominally embeddable in other event loops, this doesn't work
493everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken 661everywhere, so you might need to test for this. And since it is broken
510=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10) 678=item C<EVBACKEND_PORT> (value 32, Solaris 10)
511 679
512This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris, 680This uses the Solaris 10 event port mechanism. As with everything on Solaris,
513it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)). 681it's really slow, but it still scales very well (O(active_fds)).
514 682
515Please note that Solaris event ports can deliver a lot of spurious
516notifications, so you need to use non-blocking I/O or other means to avoid
517blocking when no data (or space) is available.
518
519While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active 683While this backend scales well, it requires one system call per active
520file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file 684file descriptor per loop iteration. For small and medium numbers of file
521descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend 685descriptors a "slow" C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL> backend
522might perform better. 686might perform better.
523 687
524On the positive side, with the exception of the spurious readiness 688On the positive side, this backend actually performed fully to
525notifications, this backend actually performed fully to specification
526in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat among the 689specification in all tests and is fully embeddable, which is a rare feat
527OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed hacks). 690among the OS-specific backends (I vastly prefer correctness over speed
691hacks).
692
693On the negative side, the interface is I<bizarre> - so bizarre that
694even sun itself gets it wrong in their code examples: The event polling
695function sometimes returns events to the caller even though an error
696occurred, but with no indication whether it has done so or not (yes, it's
697even documented that way) - deadly for edge-triggered interfaces where you
698absolutely have to know whether an event occurred or not because you have
699to re-arm the watcher.
700
701Fortunately libev seems to be able to work around these idiocies.
528 702
529This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as 703This backend maps C<EV_READ> and C<EV_WRITE> in the same way as
530C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 704C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
531 705
532=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL> 706=item C<EVBACKEND_ALL>
533 707
534Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried 708Try all backends (even potentially broken ones that wouldn't be tried
535with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as 709with C<EVFLAG_AUTO>). Since this is a mask, you can do stuff such as
536C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>. 710C<EVBACKEND_ALL & ~EVBACKEND_KQUEUE>.
537 711
538It is definitely not recommended to use this flag. 712It is definitely not recommended to use this flag, use whatever
713C<ev_recommended_backends ()> returns, or simply do not specify a backend
714at all.
715
716=item C<EVBACKEND_MASK>
717
718Not a backend at all, but a mask to select all backend bits from a
719C<flags> value, in case you want to mask out any backends from a flags
720value (e.g. when modifying the C<LIBEV_FLAGS> environment variable).
539 721
540=back 722=back
541 723
542If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value, 724If one or more of the backend flags are or'ed into the flags value,
543then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed 725then only these backends will be tried (in the reverse order as listed
544here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends 726here). If none are specified, all backends in C<ev_recommended_backends
545()> will be tried. 727()> will be tried.
546 728
547Example: This is the most typical usage.
548
549 if (!ev_default_loop (0))
550 fatal ("could not initialise libev, bad $LIBEV_FLAGS in environment?");
551
552Example: Restrict libev to the select and poll backends, and do not allow
553environment settings to be taken into account:
554
555 ev_default_loop (EVBACKEND_POLL | EVBACKEND_SELECT | EVFLAG_NOENV);
556
557Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
558used if available (warning, breaks stuff, best use only with your own
559private event loop and only if you know the OS supports your types of
560fds):
561
562 ev_default_loop (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
563
564=item struct ev_loop *ev_loop_new (unsigned int flags)
565
566Similar to C<ev_default_loop>, but always creates a new event loop that is
567always distinct from the default loop. Unlike the default loop, it cannot
568handle signal and child watchers, and attempts to do so will be greeted by
569undefined behaviour (or a failed assertion if assertions are enabled).
570
571Note that this function I<is> thread-safe, and the recommended way to use
572libev with threads is indeed to create one loop per thread, and using the
573default loop in the "main" or "initial" thread.
574
575Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else. 729Example: Try to create a event loop that uses epoll and nothing else.
576 730
577 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV); 731 struct ev_loop *epoller = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_EPOLL | EVFLAG_NOENV);
578 if (!epoller) 732 if (!epoller)
579 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair"); 733 fatal ("no epoll found here, maybe it hides under your chair");
580 734
735Example: Use whatever libev has to offer, but make sure that kqueue is
736used if available.
737
738 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_KQUEUE);
739
740Example: Similarly, on linux, you mgiht want to take advantage of the
741linux aio backend if possible, but fall back to something else if that
742isn't available.
743
744 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_loop_new (ev_recommended_backends () | EVBACKEND_LINUXAIO);
745
581=item ev_default_destroy () 746=item ev_loop_destroy (loop)
582 747
583Destroys the default loop again (frees all memory and kernel state 748Destroys an event loop object (frees all memory and kernel state
584etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal 749etc.). None of the active event watchers will be stopped in the normal
585sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your 750sense, so e.g. C<ev_is_active> might still return true. It is your
586responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before> 751responsibility to either stop all watchers cleanly yourself I<before>
587calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually 752calling this function, or cope with the fact afterwards (which is usually
588the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them 753the easiest thing, you can just ignore the watchers and/or C<free ()> them
590 755
591Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal 756Note that certain global state, such as signal state (and installed signal
592handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such 757handlers), will not be freed by this function, and related watchers (such
593as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually. 758as signal and child watchers) would need to be stopped manually.
594 759
595In general it is not advisable to call this function except in the 760This function is normally used on loop objects allocated by
596rare occasion where you really need to free e.g. the signal handling 761C<ev_loop_new>, but it can also be used on the default loop returned by
762C<ev_default_loop>, in which case it is not thread-safe.
763
764Note that it is not advisable to call this function on the default loop
765except in the rare occasion where you really need to free its resources.
597pipe fds. If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use 766If you need dynamically allocated loops it is better to use C<ev_loop_new>
598C<ev_loop_new> and C<ev_loop_destroy>. 767and C<ev_loop_destroy>.
599 768
600=item ev_loop_destroy (loop) 769=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
601 770
602Like C<ev_default_destroy>, but destroys an event loop created by an
603earlier call to C<ev_loop_new>.
604
605=item ev_default_fork ()
606
607This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_loop> iterations 771This function sets a flag that causes subsequent C<ev_run> iterations
608to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite the 772to reinitialise the kernel state for backends that have one. Despite
609name, you can call it anytime, but it makes most sense after forking, in 773the name, you can call it anytime you are allowed to start or stop
610the child process (or both child and parent, but that again makes little 774watchers (except inside an C<ev_prepare> callback), but it makes most
611sense). You I<must> call it in the child before using any of the libev 775sense after forking, in the child process. You I<must> call it (or use
612functions, and it will only take effect at the next C<ev_loop> iteration. 776C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>) in the child before resuming or calling C<ev_run>.
777
778In addition, if you want to reuse a loop (via this function or
779C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>), you I<also> have to ignore C<SIGPIPE>.
780
781Again, you I<have> to call it on I<any> loop that you want to re-use after
782a fork, I<even if you do not plan to use the loop in the parent>. This is
783because some kernel interfaces *cough* I<kqueue> *cough* do funny things
784during fork.
613 785
614On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child 786On the other hand, you only need to call this function in the child
615process if and only if you want to use the event library in the child. If 787process if and only if you want to use the event loop in the child. If
616you just fork+exec, you don't have to call it at all. 788you just fork+exec or create a new loop in the child, you don't have to
789call it at all (in fact, C<epoll> is so badly broken that it makes a
790difference, but libev will usually detect this case on its own and do a
791costly reset of the backend).
617 792
618The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call 793The function itself is quite fast and it's usually not a problem to call
619it just in case after a fork. To make this easy, the function will fit in 794it just in case after a fork.
620quite nicely into a call to C<pthread_atfork>:
621 795
796Example: Automate calling C<ev_loop_fork> on the default loop when
797using pthreads.
798
799 static void
800 post_fork_child (void)
801 {
802 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
803 }
804
805 ...
622 pthread_atfork (0, 0, ev_default_fork); 806 pthread_atfork (0, 0, post_fork_child);
623
624=item ev_loop_fork (loop)
625
626Like C<ev_default_fork>, but acts on an event loop created by
627C<ev_loop_new>. Yes, you have to call this on every allocated event loop
628after fork that you want to re-use in the child, and how you do this is
629entirely your own problem.
630 807
631=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop) 808=item int ev_is_default_loop (loop)
632 809
633Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false 810Returns true when the given loop is, in fact, the default loop, and false
634otherwise. 811otherwise.
635 812
636=item unsigned int ev_loop_count (loop) 813=item unsigned int ev_iteration (loop)
637 814
638Returns the count of loop iterations for the loop, which is identical to 815Returns the current iteration count for the event loop, which is identical
639the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0> and 816to the number of times libev did poll for new events. It starts at C<0>
640happily wraps around with enough iterations. 817and happily wraps around with enough iterations.
641 818
642This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it 819This value can sometimes be useful as a generation counter of sorts (it
643"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with 820"ticks" the number of loop iterations), as it roughly corresponds with
644C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls. 821C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> calls - and is incremented between the
822prepare and check phases.
645 823
646=item unsigned int ev_loop_depth (loop) 824=item unsigned int ev_depth (loop)
647 825
648Returns the number of times C<ev_loop> was entered minus the number of 826Returns the number of times C<ev_run> was entered minus the number of
649times C<ev_loop> was exited, in other words, the recursion depth. 827times C<ev_run> was exited normally, in other words, the recursion depth.
650 828
651Outside C<ev_loop>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is 829Outside C<ev_run>, this number is zero. In a callback, this number is
652C<1>, unless C<ev_loop> was invoked recursively (or from another thread), 830C<1>, unless C<ev_run> was invoked recursively (or from another thread),
653in which case it is higher. 831in which case it is higher.
654 832
655Leaving C<ev_loop> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread 833Leaving C<ev_run> abnormally (setjmp/longjmp, cancelling the thread,
656etc.), doesn't count as exit. 834throwing an exception etc.), doesn't count as "exit" - consider this
835as a hint to avoid such ungentleman-like behaviour unless it's really
836convenient, in which case it is fully supported.
657 837
658=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop) 838=item unsigned int ev_backend (loop)
659 839
660Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in 840Returns one of the C<EVBACKEND_*> flags indicating the event backend in
661use. 841use.
670 850
671=item ev_now_update (loop) 851=item ev_now_update (loop)
672 852
673Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time 853Establishes the current time by querying the kernel, updating the time
674returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and 854returned by C<ev_now ()> in the progress. This is a costly operation and
675is usually done automatically within C<ev_loop ()>. 855is usually done automatically within C<ev_run ()>.
676 856
677This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a 857This function is rarely useful, but when some event callback runs for a
678very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of 858very long time without entering the event loop, updating libev's idea of
679the current time is a good idea. 859the current time is a good idea.
680 860
681See also L<The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section. 861See also L</The special problem of time updates> in the C<ev_timer> section.
682 862
683=item ev_suspend (loop) 863=item ev_suspend (loop)
684 864
685=item ev_resume (loop) 865=item ev_resume (loop)
686 866
687These two functions suspend and resume a loop, for use when the loop is 867These two functions suspend and resume an event loop, for use when the
688not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed. 868loop is not used for a while and timeouts should not be processed.
689 869
690A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When 870A typical use case would be an interactive program such as a game: When
691the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it 871the user presses C<^Z> to suspend the game and resumes it an hour later it
692would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while 872would be best to handle timeouts as if no time had actually passed while
693the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend> 873the program was suspended. This can be achieved by calling C<ev_suspend>
695C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing. 875C<ev_resume> directly afterwards to resume timer processing.
696 876
697Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend 877Effectively, all C<ev_timer> watchers will be delayed by the time spend
698between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers 878between C<ev_suspend> and C<ev_resume>, and all C<ev_periodic> watchers
699will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have 879will be rescheduled (that is, they will lose any events that would have
700occured while suspended). 880occurred while suspended).
701 881
702After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the 882After calling C<ev_suspend> you B<must not> call I<any> function on the
703given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume> 883given loop other than C<ev_resume>, and you B<must not> call C<ev_resume>
704without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>. 884without a previous call to C<ev_suspend>.
705 885
706Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the 886Calling C<ev_suspend>/C<ev_resume> has the side effect of updating the
707event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>). 887event loop time (see C<ev_now_update>).
708 888
709=item ev_loop (loop, int flags) 889=item bool ev_run (loop, int flags)
710 890
711Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called 891Finally, this is it, the event handler. This function usually is called
712after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start 892after you have initialised all your watchers and you want to start
713handling events. 893handling events. It will ask the operating system for any new events, call
894the watcher callbacks, and then repeat the whole process indefinitely: This
895is why event loops are called I<loops>.
714 896
715If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will not return until 897If the flags argument is specified as C<0>, it will keep handling events
716either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_unloop> was called. 898until either no event watchers are active anymore or C<ev_break> was
899called.
717 900
901The return value is false if there are no more active watchers (which
902usually means "all jobs done" or "deadlock"), and true in all other cases
903(which usually means " you should call C<ev_run> again").
904
718Please note that an explicit C<ev_unloop> is usually better than 905Please note that an explicit C<ev_break> is usually better than
719relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has 906relying on all watchers to be stopped when deciding when a program has
720finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program 907finished (especially in interactive programs), but having a program
721that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue 908that automatically loops as long as it has to and no longer by virtue
722of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of 909of relying on its watchers stopping correctly, that is truly a thing of
723beauty. 910beauty.
724 911
912This function is I<mostly> exception-safe - you can break out of a
913C<ev_run> call by calling C<longjmp> in a callback, throwing a C++
914exception and so on. This does not decrement the C<ev_depth> value, nor
915will it clear any outstanding C<EVBREAK_ONE> breaks.
916
725A flags value of C<EVLOOP_NONBLOCK> will look for new events, will handle 917A flags value of C<EVRUN_NOWAIT> will look for new events, will handle
726those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not block your 918those events and any already outstanding ones, but will not wait and
727process in case there are no events and will return after one iteration of 919block your process in case there are no events and will return after one
728the loop. 920iteration of the loop. This is sometimes useful to poll and handle new
921events while doing lengthy calculations, to keep the program responsive.
729 922
730A flags value of C<EVLOOP_ONESHOT> will look for new events (waiting if 923A flags value of C<EVRUN_ONCE> will look for new events (waiting if
731necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It 924necessary) and will handle those and any already outstanding ones. It
732will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could 925will block your process until at least one new event arrives (which could
733be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a 926be an event internal to libev itself, so there is no guarantee that a
734user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one 927user-registered callback will be called), and will return after one
735iteration of the loop. 928iteration of the loop.
736 929
737This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction 930This is useful if you are waiting for some external event in conjunction
738with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your 931with something not expressible using other libev watchers (i.e. "roll your
739own C<ev_loop>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is 932own C<ev_run>"). However, a pair of C<ev_prepare>/C<ev_check> watchers is
740usually a better approach for this kind of thing. 933usually a better approach for this kind of thing.
741 934
742Here are the gory details of what C<ev_loop> does: 935Here are the gory details of what C<ev_run> does (this is for your
936understanding, not a guarantee that things will work exactly like this in
937future versions):
743 938
939 - Increment loop depth.
940 - Reset the ev_break status.
744 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers. 941 - Before the first iteration, call any pending watchers.
942 LOOP:
745 * If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork. 943 - If EVFLAG_FORKCHECK was used, check for a fork.
746 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers. 944 - If a fork was detected (by any means), queue and call all fork watchers.
747 - Queue and call all prepare watchers. 945 - Queue and call all prepare watchers.
946 - If ev_break was called, goto FINISH.
748 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state 947 - If we have been forked, detach and recreate the kernel state
749 as to not disturb the other process. 948 as to not disturb the other process.
750 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes. 949 - Update the kernel state with all outstanding changes.
751 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()). 950 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()).
752 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all 951 - Calculate for how long to sleep or block, if at all
753 (active idle watchers, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK or not having 952 (active idle watchers, EVRUN_NOWAIT or not having
754 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping). 953 any active watchers at all will result in not sleeping).
755 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so. 954 - Sleep if the I/O and timer collect interval say so.
955 - Increment loop iteration counter.
756 - Block the process, waiting for any events. 956 - Block the process, waiting for any events.
757 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events. 957 - Queue all outstanding I/O (fd) events.
758 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments. 958 - Update the "event loop time" (ev_now ()), and do time jump adjustments.
759 - Queue all expired timers. 959 - Queue all expired timers.
760 - Queue all expired periodics. 960 - Queue all expired periodics.
761 - Unless any events are pending now, queue all idle watchers. 961 - Queue all idle watchers with priority higher than that of pending events.
762 - Queue all check watchers. 962 - Queue all check watchers.
763 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first). 963 - Call all queued watchers in reverse order (i.e. check watchers first).
764 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will 964 Signals and child watchers are implemented as I/O watchers, and will
765 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed. 965 be handled here by queueing them when their watcher gets executed.
766 - If ev_unloop has been called, or EVLOOP_ONESHOT or EVLOOP_NONBLOCK 966 - If ev_break has been called, or EVRUN_ONCE or EVRUN_NOWAIT
767 were used, or there are no active watchers, return, otherwise 967 were used, or there are no active watchers, goto FINISH, otherwise
768 continue with step *. 968 continue with step LOOP.
969 FINISH:
970 - Reset the ev_break status iff it was EVBREAK_ONE.
971 - Decrement the loop depth.
972 - Return.
769 973
770Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding 974Example: Queue some jobs and then loop until no events are outstanding
771anymore. 975anymore.
772 976
773 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long 977 ... queue jobs here, make sure they register event watchers as long
774 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..) 978 ... as they still have work to do (even an idle watcher will do..)
775 ev_loop (my_loop, 0); 979 ev_run (my_loop, 0);
776 ... jobs done or somebody called unloop. yeah! 980 ... jobs done or somebody called break. yeah!
777 981
778=item ev_unloop (loop, how) 982=item ev_break (loop, how)
779 983
780Can be used to make a call to C<ev_loop> return early (but only after it 984Can be used to make a call to C<ev_run> return early (but only after it
781has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either 985has processed all outstanding events). The C<how> argument must be either
782C<EVUNLOOP_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_loop> call return, or 986C<EVBREAK_ONE>, which will make the innermost C<ev_run> call return, or
783C<EVUNLOOP_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_loop> calls return. 987C<EVBREAK_ALL>, which will make all nested C<ev_run> calls return.
784 988
785This "unloop state" will be cleared when entering C<ev_loop> again. 989This "break state" will be cleared on the next call to C<ev_run>.
786 990
787It is safe to call C<ev_unloop> from otuside any C<ev_loop> calls. 991It is safe to call C<ev_break> from outside any C<ev_run> calls, too, in
992which case it will have no effect.
788 993
789=item ev_ref (loop) 994=item ev_ref (loop)
790 995
791=item ev_unref (loop) 996=item ev_unref (loop)
792 997
793Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event 998Ref/unref can be used to add or remove a reference count on the event
794loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference 999loop: Every watcher keeps one reference, and as long as the reference
795count is nonzero, C<ev_loop> will not return on its own. 1000count is nonzero, C<ev_run> will not return on its own.
796 1001
797If you have a watcher you never unregister that should not keep C<ev_loop> 1002This is useful when you have a watcher that you never intend to
798from returning, call ev_unref() after starting, and ev_ref() before 1003unregister, but that nevertheless should not keep C<ev_run> from
1004returning. In such a case, call C<ev_unref> after starting, and C<ev_ref>
799stopping it. 1005before stopping it.
800 1006
801As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It 1007As an example, libev itself uses this for its internal signal pipe: It
802is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_loop> from 1008is not visible to the libev user and should not keep C<ev_run> from
803exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an 1009exiting if no event watchers registered by it are active. It is also an
804excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within 1010excellent way to do this for generic recurring timers or from within
805third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref 1011third-party libraries. Just remember to I<unref after start> and I<ref
806before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active 1012before stop> (but only if the watcher wasn't active before, or was active
807before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself 1013before, respectively. Note also that libev might stop watchers itself
808(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref> 1014(e.g. non-repeating timers) in which case you have to C<ev_ref>
809in the callback). 1015in the callback).
810 1016
811Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_loop> 1017Example: Create a signal watcher, but keep it from keeping C<ev_run>
812running when nothing else is active. 1018running when nothing else is active.
813 1019
814 ev_signal exitsig; 1020 ev_signal exitsig;
815 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT); 1021 ev_signal_init (&exitsig, sig_cb, SIGINT);
816 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig); 1022 ev_signal_start (loop, &exitsig);
817 evf_unref (loop); 1023 ev_unref (loop);
818 1024
819Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again. 1025Example: For some weird reason, unregister the above signal handler again.
820 1026
821 ev_ref (loop); 1027 ev_ref (loop);
822 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig); 1028 ev_signal_stop (loop, &exitsig);
842overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once. 1048overhead for the actual polling but can deliver many events at once.
843 1049
844By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more 1050By setting a higher I<io collect interval> you allow libev to spend more
845time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration, 1051time collecting I/O events, so you can handle more events per iteration,
846at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and 1052at the cost of increasing latency. Timeouts (both C<ev_periodic> and
847C<ev_timer>) will be not affected. Setting this to a non-null value will 1053C<ev_timer>) will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null value will
848introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The 1054introduce an additional C<ev_sleep ()> call into most loop iterations. The
849sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then 1055sleep time ensures that libev will not poll for I/O events more often then
850once per this interval, on average. 1056once per this interval, on average (as long as the host time resolution is
1057good enough).
851 1058
852Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev 1059Likewise, by setting a higher I<timeout collect interval> you allow libev
853to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased 1060to spend more time collecting timeouts, at the expense of increased
854latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called 1061latency/jitter/inexactness (the watcher callback will be called
855later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null 1062later). C<ev_io> watchers will not be affected. Setting this to a non-null
861usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>, 1068usually doesn't make much sense to set it to a lower value than C<0.01>,
862as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if 1069as this approaches the timing granularity of most systems. Note that if
863you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the 1070you do transactions with the outside world and you can't increase the
864parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you 1071parallelity, then this setting will limit your transaction rate (if you
865need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01, 1072need to poll once per transaction and the I/O collect interval is 0.01,
866then you can't do more than 100 transations per second). 1073then you can't do more than 100 transactions per second).
867 1074
868Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for 1075Setting the I<timeout collect interval> can improve the opportunity for
869saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that 1076saving power, as the program will "bundle" timer callback invocations that
870are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of 1077are "near" in time together, by delaying some, thus reducing the number of
871times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to 1078times the process sleeps and wakes up again. Another useful technique to
879 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01); 1086 ev_set_io_collect_interval (EV_DEFAULT_UC_ 0.01);
880 1087
881=item ev_invoke_pending (loop) 1088=item ev_invoke_pending (loop)
882 1089
883This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their 1090This call will simply invoke all pending watchers while resetting their
884pending state. Normally, C<ev_loop> does this automatically when required, 1091pending state. Normally, C<ev_run> does this automatically when required,
885but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. 1092but when overriding the invoke callback this call comes handy. This
1093function can be invoked from a watcher - this can be useful for example
1094when you want to do some lengthy calculation and want to pass further
1095event handling to another thread (you still have to make sure only one
1096thread executes within C<ev_invoke_pending> or C<ev_run> of course).
886 1097
887=item int ev_pending_count (loop) 1098=item int ev_pending_count (loop)
888 1099
889Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers 1100Returns the number of pending watchers - zero indicates that no watchers
890are pending. 1101are pending.
891 1102
892=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P)) 1103=item ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (loop, void (*invoke_pending_cb)(EV_P))
893 1104
894This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of 1105This overrides the invoke pending functionality of the loop: Instead of
895invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_loop> will call 1106invoking all pending watchers when there are any, C<ev_run> will call
896this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to 1107this callback instead. This is useful, for example, when you want to
897invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.). 1108invoke the actual watchers inside another context (another thread etc.).
898 1109
899If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new 1110If you want to reset the callback, use C<ev_invoke_pending> as new
900callback. 1111callback.
901 1112
902=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P), void (*acquire)(EV_P)) 1113=item ev_set_loop_release_cb (loop, void (*release)(EV_P) throw (), void (*acquire)(EV_P) throw ())
903 1114
904Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This 1115Sometimes you want to share the same loop between multiple threads. This
905can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around 1116can be done relatively simply by putting mutex_lock/unlock calls around
906each call to a libev function. 1117each call to a libev function.
907 1118
908However, C<ev_loop> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible to 1119However, C<ev_run> can run an indefinite time, so it is not feasible
909wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the loop via 1120to wait for it to return. One way around this is to wake up the event
910C<ev_unloop> and C<av_async_send>, another way is to set these I<release> 1121loop via C<ev_break> and C<ev_async_send>, another way is to set these
911and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop. 1122I<release> and I<acquire> callbacks on the loop.
912 1123
913When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is 1124When set, then C<release> will be called just before the thread is
914suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just 1125suspended waiting for new events, and C<acquire> is called just
915afterwards. 1126afterwards.
916 1127
919 1130
920While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of 1131While event loop modifications are allowed between invocations of
921C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no 1132C<release> and C<acquire> (that's their only purpose after all), no
922modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will 1133modifications done will affect the event loop, i.e. adding watchers will
923have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time 1134have no effect on the set of file descriptors being watched, or the time
924waited. USe an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_loop> when you want it 1135waited. Use an C<ev_async> watcher to wake up C<ev_run> when you want it
925to take note of any changes you made. 1136to take note of any changes you made.
926 1137
927In theory, threads executing C<ev_loop> will be async-cancel safe between 1138In theory, threads executing C<ev_run> will be async-cancel safe between
928invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>. 1139invocations of C<release> and C<acquire>.
929 1140
930See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this 1141See also the locking example in the C<THREADS> section later in this
931document. 1142document.
932 1143
933=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data) 1144=item ev_set_userdata (loop, void *data)
934 1145
935=item ev_userdata (loop) 1146=item void *ev_userdata (loop)
936 1147
937Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When 1148Set and retrieve a single C<void *> associated with a loop. When
938C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns 1149C<ev_set_userdata> has never been called, then C<ev_userdata> returns
939C<0.> 1150C<0>.
940 1151
941These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop, 1152These two functions can be used to associate arbitrary data with a loop,
942and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and 1153and are intended solely for the C<invoke_pending_cb>, C<release> and
943C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for 1154C<acquire> callbacks described above, but of course can be (ab-)used for
944any other purpose as well. 1155any other purpose as well.
945 1156
946=item ev_loop_verify (loop) 1157=item ev_verify (loop)
947 1158
948This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been 1159This function only does something when C<EV_VERIFY> support has been
949compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go 1160compiled in, which is the default for non-minimal builds. It tries to go
950through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything 1161through all internal structures and checks them for validity. If anything
951is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard 1162is found to be inconsistent, it will print an error message to standard
962 1173
963In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the 1174In the following description, uppercase C<TYPE> in names stands for the
964watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer 1175watcher type, e.g. C<ev_TYPE_start> can mean C<ev_timer_start> for timer
965watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers. 1176watchers and C<ev_io_start> for I/O watchers.
966 1177
967A watcher is a structure that you create and register to record your 1178A watcher is an opaque structure that you allocate and register to record
968interest in some event. For instance, if you want to wait for STDIN to 1179your interest in some event. To make a concrete example, imagine you want
969become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher for that: 1180to wait for STDIN to become readable, you would create an C<ev_io> watcher
1181for that:
970 1182
971 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 1183 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents)
972 { 1184 {
973 ev_io_stop (w); 1185 ev_io_stop (w);
974 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 1186 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
975 } 1187 }
976 1188
977 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0); 1189 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_loop (0);
978 1190
979 ev_io stdin_watcher; 1191 ev_io stdin_watcher;
980 1192
981 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb); 1193 ev_init (&stdin_watcher, my_cb);
982 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1194 ev_io_set (&stdin_watcher, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
983 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher); 1195 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_watcher);
984 1196
985 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1197 ev_run (loop, 0);
986 1198
987As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your 1199As you can see, you are responsible for allocating the memory for your
988watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the 1200watcher structures (and it is I<usually> a bad idea to do this on the
989stack). 1201stack).
990 1202
991Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE> 1203Each watcher has an associated watcher structure (called C<struct ev_TYPE>
992or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs). 1204or simply C<ev_TYPE>, as typedefs are provided for all watcher structs).
993 1205
994Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init 1206Each watcher structure must be initialised by a call to C<ev_init (watcher
995(watcher *, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This 1207*, callback)>, which expects a callback to be provided. This callback is
996callback gets invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O 1208invoked each time the event occurs (or, in the case of I/O watchers, each
997watchers, each time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given 1209time the event loop detects that the file descriptor given is readable
998is readable and/or writable). 1210and/or writable).
999 1211
1000Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >> 1212Each watcher type further has its own C<< ev_TYPE_set (watcher *, ...) >>
1001macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There 1213macro to configure it, with arguments specific to the watcher type. There
1002is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<< 1214is also a macro to combine initialisation and setting in one call: C<<
1003ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>. 1215ev_TYPE_init (watcher *, callback, ...) >>.
1026=item C<EV_WRITE> 1238=item C<EV_WRITE>
1027 1239
1028The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or 1240The file descriptor in the C<ev_io> watcher has become readable and/or
1029writable. 1241writable.
1030 1242
1031=item C<EV_TIMEOUT> 1243=item C<EV_TIMER>
1032 1244
1033The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out. 1245The C<ev_timer> watcher has timed out.
1034 1246
1035=item C<EV_PERIODIC> 1247=item C<EV_PERIODIC>
1036 1248
1054 1266
1055=item C<EV_PREPARE> 1267=item C<EV_PREPARE>
1056 1268
1057=item C<EV_CHECK> 1269=item C<EV_CHECK>
1058 1270
1059All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_loop> starts 1271All C<ev_prepare> watchers are invoked just I<before> C<ev_run> starts to
1060to gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are invoked just after 1272gather new events, and all C<ev_check> watchers are queued (not invoked)
1061C<ev_loop> has gathered them, but before it invokes any callbacks for any 1273just after C<ev_run> has gathered them, but before it queues any callbacks
1274for any received events. That means C<ev_prepare> watchers are the last
1275watchers invoked before the event loop sleeps or polls for new events, and
1276C<ev_check> watchers will be invoked before any other watchers of the same
1277or lower priority within an event loop iteration.
1278
1062received events. Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as 1279Callbacks of both watcher types can start and stop as many watchers as
1063many watchers as they want, and all of them will be taken into account 1280they want, and all of them will be taken into account (for example, a
1064(for example, a C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep 1281C<ev_prepare> watcher might start an idle watcher to keep C<ev_run> from
1065C<ev_loop> from blocking). 1282blocking).
1066 1283
1067=item C<EV_EMBED> 1284=item C<EV_EMBED>
1068 1285
1069The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention. 1286The embedded event loop specified in the C<ev_embed> watcher needs attention.
1070 1287
1071=item C<EV_FORK> 1288=item C<EV_FORK>
1072 1289
1073The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see 1290The event loop has been resumed in the child process after fork (see
1074C<ev_fork>). 1291C<ev_fork>).
1292
1293=item C<EV_CLEANUP>
1294
1295The event loop is about to be destroyed (see C<ev_cleanup>).
1075 1296
1076=item C<EV_ASYNC> 1297=item C<EV_ASYNC>
1077 1298
1078The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>). 1299The given async watcher has been asynchronously notified (see C<ev_async>).
1079 1300
1126 1347
1127 ev_io w; 1348 ev_io w;
1128 ev_init (&w, my_cb); 1349 ev_init (&w, my_cb);
1129 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1350 ev_io_set (&w, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1130 1351
1131=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *, [args]) 1352=item C<ev_TYPE_set> (ev_TYPE *watcher, [args])
1132 1353
1133This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to 1354This macro initialises the type-specific parts of a watcher. You need to
1134call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can 1355call C<ev_init> at least once before you call this macro, but you can
1135call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this 1356call C<ev_TYPE_set> any number of times. You must not, however, call this
1136macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a 1357macro on a watcher that is active (it can be pending, however, which is a
1149 1370
1150Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step. 1371Example: Initialise and set an C<ev_io> watcher in one step.
1151 1372
1152 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1373 ev_io_init (&w, my_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1153 1374
1154=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1375=item C<ev_TYPE_start> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1155 1376
1156Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive 1377Starts (activates) the given watcher. Only active watchers will receive
1157events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen. 1378events. If the watcher is already active nothing will happen.
1158 1379
1159Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this 1380Example: Start the C<ev_io> watcher that is being abused as example in this
1160whole section. 1381whole section.
1161 1382
1162 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w); 1383 ev_io_start (EV_DEFAULT_UC, &w);
1163 1384
1164=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop *, ev_TYPE *watcher) 1385=item C<ev_TYPE_stop> (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher)
1165 1386
1166Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether 1387Stops the given watcher if active, and clears the pending status (whether
1167the watcher was active or not). 1388the watcher was active or not).
1168 1389
1169It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example, 1390It is possible that stopped watchers are pending - for example,
1189 1410
1190=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1411=item callback ev_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1191 1412
1192Returns the callback currently set on the watcher. 1413Returns the callback currently set on the watcher.
1193 1414
1194=item ev_cb_set (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback) 1415=item ev_set_cb (ev_TYPE *watcher, callback)
1195 1416
1196Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time 1417Change the callback. You can change the callback at virtually any time
1197(modulo threads). 1418(modulo threads).
1198 1419
1199=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, priority) 1420=item ev_set_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher, int priority)
1200 1421
1201=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher) 1422=item int ev_priority (ev_TYPE *watcher)
1202 1423
1203Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small 1424Set and query the priority of the watcher. The priority is a small
1204integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI> 1425integer between C<EV_MAXPRI> (default: C<2>) and C<EV_MINPRI>
1217or might not have been clamped to the valid range. 1438or might not have been clamped to the valid range.
1218 1439
1219The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is 1440The default priority used by watchers when no priority has been set is
1220always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :). 1441always C<0>, which is supposed to not be too high and not be too low :).
1221 1442
1222See L<WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of 1443See L</WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS>, below, for a more thorough treatment of
1223priorities. 1444priorities.
1224 1445
1225=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents) 1446=item ev_invoke (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1226 1447
1227Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither 1448Invoke the C<watcher> with the given C<loop> and C<revents>. Neither
1236watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>. 1457watcher isn't pending it does nothing and returns C<0>.
1237 1458
1238Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its 1459Sometimes it can be useful to "poll" a watcher instead of waiting for its
1239callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function. 1460callback to be invoked, which can be accomplished with this function.
1240 1461
1462=item ev_feed_event (loop, ev_TYPE *watcher, int revents)
1463
1464Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
1465had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
1466initialised but not necessarily started event watcher). Obviously you must
1467not free the watcher as long as it has pending events.
1468
1469Stopping the watcher, letting libev invoke it, or calling
1470C<ev_clear_pending> will clear the pending event, even if the watcher was
1471not started in the first place.
1472
1473See also C<ev_feed_fd_event> and C<ev_feed_signal_event> for related
1474functions that do not need a watcher.
1475
1241=back 1476=back
1242 1477
1478See also the L</ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER> and L</BUILDING YOUR
1479OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS> idioms.
1243 1480
1244=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER 1481=head2 WATCHER STATES
1245 1482
1246Each watcher has, by default, a member C<void *data> that you can change 1483There are various watcher states mentioned throughout this manual -
1247and read at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used 1484active, pending and so on. In this section these states and the rules to
1248to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and 1485transition between them will be described in more detail - and while these
1249don't want to allocate memory and store a pointer to it in that data 1486rules might look complicated, they usually do "the right thing".
1250member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
1251data:
1252 1487
1253 struct my_io 1488=over 4
1254 {
1255 ev_io io;
1256 int otherfd;
1257 void *somedata;
1258 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
1259 };
1260 1489
1261 ... 1490=item initialised
1262 struct my_io w;
1263 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
1264 1491
1265And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you 1492Before a watcher can be registered with the event loop it has to be
1266can cast it back to your own type: 1493initialised. This can be done with a call to C<ev_TYPE_init>, or calls to
1494C<ev_init> followed by the watcher-specific C<ev_TYPE_set> function.
1267 1495
1268 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents) 1496In this state it is simply some block of memory that is suitable for
1269 { 1497use in an event loop. It can be moved around, freed, reused etc. at
1270 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_; 1498will - as long as you either keep the memory contents intact, or call
1271 ... 1499C<ev_TYPE_init> again.
1272 }
1273 1500
1274More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback type 1501=item started/running/active
1275instead have been omitted.
1276 1502
1277Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple 1503Once a watcher has been started with a call to C<ev_TYPE_start> it becomes
1278embedded watchers: 1504property of the event loop, and is actively waiting for events. While in
1505this state it cannot be accessed (except in a few documented ways), moved,
1506freed or anything else - the only legal thing is to keep a pointer to it,
1507and call libev functions on it that are documented to work on active watchers.
1279 1508
1280 struct my_biggy 1509=item pending
1281 {
1282 int some_data;
1283 ev_timer t1;
1284 ev_timer t2;
1285 }
1286 1510
1287In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more 1511If a watcher is active and libev determines that an event it is interested
1288complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct 1512in has occurred (such as a timer expiring), it will become pending. It will
1289in the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies), or you need to use 1513stay in this pending state until either it is stopped or its callback is
1290some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for real 1514about to be invoked, so it is not normally pending inside the watcher
1291programmers): 1515callback.
1292 1516
1293 #include <stddef.h> 1517The watcher might or might not be active while it is pending (for example,
1518an expired non-repeating timer can be pending but no longer active). If it
1519is stopped, it can be freely accessed (e.g. by calling C<ev_TYPE_set>),
1520but it is still property of the event loop at this time, so cannot be
1521moved, freed or reused. And if it is active the rules described in the
1522previous item still apply.
1294 1523
1295 static void 1524It is also possible to feed an event on a watcher that is not active (e.g.
1296 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1525via C<ev_feed_event>), in which case it becomes pending without being
1297 { 1526active.
1298 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
1299 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
1300 }
1301 1527
1302 static void 1528=item stopped
1303 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1529
1304 { 1530A watcher can be stopped implicitly by libev (in which case it might still
1305 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *) 1531be pending), or explicitly by calling its C<ev_TYPE_stop> function. The
1306 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2)); 1532latter will clear any pending state the watcher might be in, regardless
1307 } 1533of whether it was active or not, so stopping a watcher explicitly before
1534freeing it is often a good idea.
1535
1536While stopped (and not pending) the watcher is essentially in the
1537initialised state, that is, it can be reused, moved, modified in any way
1538you wish (but when you trash the memory block, you need to C<ev_TYPE_init>
1539it again).
1540
1541=back
1308 1542
1309=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS 1543=head2 WATCHER PRIORITY MODELS
1310 1544
1311Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small 1545Many event loops support I<watcher priorities>, which are usually small
1312integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation 1546integers that influence the ordering of event callback invocation
1313between watchers in some way, all else being equal. 1547between watchers in some way, all else being equal.
1314 1548
1315In libev, Watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its 1549In libev, watcher priorities can be set using C<ev_set_priority>. See its
1316description for the more technical details such as the actual priority 1550description for the more technical details such as the actual priority
1317range. 1551range.
1318 1552
1319There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted 1553There are two common ways how these these priorities are being interpreted
1320by event loops: 1554by event loops:
1355 1589
1356For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities, 1590For example, to emulate how many other event libraries handle priorities,
1357you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in 1591you can associate an C<ev_idle> watcher to each such watcher, and in
1358the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real 1592the normal watcher callback, you just start the idle watcher. The real
1359processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to 1593processing is done in the idle watcher callback. This causes libev to
1360continously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when 1594continuously poll and process kernel event data for the watcher, but when
1361the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is 1595the lock-out case is known to be rare (which in turn is rare :), this is
1362workable. 1596workable.
1363 1597
1364Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform 1598Usually, however, the lock-out model implemented that way will perform
1365miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case, 1599miserably under the type of load it was designed to handle. In that case,
1379 { 1613 {
1380 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but 1614 // stop the I/O watcher, we received the event, but
1381 // are not yet ready to handle it. 1615 // are not yet ready to handle it.
1382 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w); 1616 ev_io_stop (EV_A_ w);
1383 1617
1384 // start the idle watcher to ahndle the actual event. 1618 // start the idle watcher to handle the actual event.
1385 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers 1619 // it will not be executed as long as other watchers
1386 // with the default priority are receiving events. 1620 // with the default priority are receiving events.
1387 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle); 1621 ev_idle_start (EV_A_ &idle);
1388 } 1622 }
1389 1623
1439In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per 1673In general you can register as many read and/or write event watchers per
1440fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file 1674fd as you want (as long as you don't confuse yourself). Setting all file
1441descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not 1675descriptors to non-blocking mode is also usually a good idea (but not
1442required if you know what you are doing). 1676required if you know what you are doing).
1443 1677
1444If you cannot use non-blocking mode, then force the use of a
1445known-to-be-good backend (at the time of this writing, this includes only
1446C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> and C<EVBACKEND_POLL>). The same applies to file
1447descriptors for which non-blocking operation makes no sense (such as
1448files) - libev doesn't guarentee any specific behaviour in that case.
1449
1450Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to 1678Another thing you have to watch out for is that it is quite easy to
1451receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is your callback might 1679receive "spurious" readiness notifications, that is, your callback might
1452be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block 1680be called with C<EV_READ> but a subsequent C<read>(2) will actually block
1453because there is no data. Not only are some backends known to create a 1681because there is no data. It is very easy to get into this situation even
1454lot of those (for example Solaris ports), it is very easy to get into 1682with a relatively standard program structure. Thus it is best to always
1455this situation even with a relatively standard program structure. Thus 1683use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning C<EAGAIN> is far
1456it is best to always use non-blocking I/O: An extra C<read>(2) returning
1457C<EAGAIN> is far preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives. 1684preferable to a program hanging until some data arrives.
1458 1685
1459If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should 1686If you cannot run the fd in non-blocking mode (for example you should
1460not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately 1687not play around with an Xlib connection), then you have to separately
1461re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good 1688re-test whether a file descriptor is really ready with a known-to-be good
1462interface such as poll (fortunately in our Xlib example, Xlib already 1689interface such as poll (fortunately in the case of Xlib, it already does
1463does this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally 1690this on its own, so its quite safe to use). Some people additionally
1464use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block 1691use C<SIGALRM> and an interval timer, just to be sure you won't block
1465indefinitely. 1692indefinitely.
1466 1693
1467But really, best use non-blocking mode. 1694But really, best use non-blocking mode.
1468 1695
1469=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors 1696=head3 The special problem of disappearing file descriptors
1470 1697
1471Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll) need to be told about closing a file 1698Some backends (e.g. kqueue, epoll, linuxaio) need to be told about closing
1472descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other means, 1699a file descriptor (either due to calling C<close> explicitly or any other
1473such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some file 1700means, such as C<dup2>). The reason is that you register interest in some
1474descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently drop 1701file descriptor, but when it goes away, the operating system will silently
1475this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then is 1702drop this interest. If another file descriptor with the same number then
1476registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is, in 1703is registered with libev, there is no efficient way to see that this is,
1477fact, a different file descriptor. 1704in fact, a different file descriptor.
1478 1705
1479To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows 1706To avoid having to explicitly tell libev about such cases, libev follows
1480the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev 1707the following policy: Each time C<ev_io_set> is being called, libev
1481will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise 1708will assume that this is potentially a new file descriptor, otherwise
1482it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that 1709it is assumed that the file descriptor stays the same. That means that
1496 1723
1497There is no workaround possible except not registering events 1724There is no workaround possible except not registering events
1498for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to 1725for potentially C<dup ()>'ed file descriptors, or to resort to
1499C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>. 1726C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1500 1727
1728=head3 The special problem of files
1729
1730Many people try to use C<select> (or libev) on file descriptors
1731representing files, and expect it to become ready when their program
1732doesn't block on disk accesses (which can take a long time on their own).
1733
1734However, this cannot ever work in the "expected" way - you get a readiness
1735notification as soon as the kernel knows whether and how much data is
1736there, and in the case of open files, that's always the case, so you
1737always get a readiness notification instantly, and your read (or possibly
1738write) will still block on the disk I/O.
1739
1740Another way to view it is that in the case of sockets, pipes, character
1741devices and so on, there is another party (the sender) that delivers data
1742on its own, but in the case of files, there is no such thing: the disk
1743will not send data on its own, simply because it doesn't know what you
1744wish to read - you would first have to request some data.
1745
1746Since files are typically not-so-well supported by advanced notification
1747mechanism, libev tries hard to emulate POSIX behaviour with respect
1748to files, even though you should not use it. The reason for this is
1749convenience: sometimes you want to watch STDIN or STDOUT, which is
1750usually a tty, often a pipe, but also sometimes files or special devices
1751(for example, C<epoll> on Linux works with F</dev/random> but not with
1752F</dev/urandom>), and even though the file might better be served with
1753asynchronous I/O instead of with non-blocking I/O, it is still useful when
1754it "just works" instead of freezing.
1755
1756So avoid file descriptors pointing to files when you know it (e.g. use
1757libeio), but use them when it is convenient, e.g. for STDIN/STDOUT, or
1758when you rarely read from a file instead of from a socket, and want to
1759reuse the same code path.
1760
1501=head3 The special problem of fork 1761=head3 The special problem of fork
1502 1762
1503Some backends (epoll, kqueue) do not support C<fork ()> at all or exhibit 1763Some backends (epoll, kqueue, linuxaio, iouring) do not support C<fork ()>
1504useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs to be told about 1764at all or exhibit useless behaviour. Libev fully supports fork, but needs
1505it in the child. 1765to be told about it in the child if you want to continue to use it in the
1766child.
1506 1767
1507To support fork in your programs, you either have to call 1768To support fork in your child processes, you have to call C<ev_loop_fork
1508C<ev_default_fork ()> or C<ev_loop_fork ()> after a fork in the child, 1769()> after a fork in the child, enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to
1509enable C<EVFLAG_FORKCHECK>, or resort to C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or 1770C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> or C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1510C<EVBACKEND_POLL>.
1511 1771
1512=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE 1772=head3 The special problem of SIGPIPE
1513 1773
1514While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>: 1774While not really specific to libev, it is easy to forget about C<SIGPIPE>:
1515when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets 1775when writing to a pipe whose other end has been closed, your program gets
1518 1778
1519So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you 1779So when you encounter spurious, unexplained daemon exits, make sure you
1520ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon 1780ignore SIGPIPE (and maybe make sure you log the exit status of your daemon
1521somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue). 1781somewhere, as that would have given you a big clue).
1522 1782
1783=head3 The special problem of accept()ing when you can't
1784
1785Many implementations of the POSIX C<accept> function (for example,
1786found in post-2004 Linux) have the peculiar behaviour of not removing a
1787connection from the pending queue in all error cases.
1788
1789For example, larger servers often run out of file descriptors (because
1790of resource limits), causing C<accept> to fail with C<ENFILE> but not
1791rejecting the connection, leading to libev signalling readiness on
1792the next iteration again (the connection still exists after all), and
1793typically causing the program to loop at 100% CPU usage.
1794
1795Unfortunately, the set of errors that cause this issue differs between
1796operating systems, there is usually little the app can do to remedy the
1797situation, and no known thread-safe method of removing the connection to
1798cope with overload is known (to me).
1799
1800One of the easiest ways to handle this situation is to just ignore it
1801- when the program encounters an overload, it will just loop until the
1802situation is over. While this is a form of busy waiting, no OS offers an
1803event-based way to handle this situation, so it's the best one can do.
1804
1805A better way to handle the situation is to log any errors other than
1806C<EAGAIN> and C<EWOULDBLOCK>, making sure not to flood the log with such
1807messages, and continue as usual, which at least gives the user an idea of
1808what could be wrong ("raise the ulimit!"). For extra points one could stop
1809the C<ev_io> watcher on the listening fd "for a while", which reduces CPU
1810usage.
1811
1812If your program is single-threaded, then you could also keep a dummy file
1813descriptor for overload situations (e.g. by opening F</dev/null>), and
1814when you run into C<ENFILE> or C<EMFILE>, close it, run C<accept>,
1815close that fd, and create a new dummy fd. This will gracefully refuse
1816clients under typical overload conditions.
1817
1818The last way to handle it is to simply log the error and C<exit>, as
1819is often done with C<malloc> failures, but this results in an easy
1820opportunity for a DoS attack.
1523 1821
1524=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions 1822=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions
1525 1823
1526=over 4 1824=over 4
1527 1825
1559 ... 1857 ...
1560 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 1858 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
1561 ev_io stdin_readable; 1859 ev_io stdin_readable;
1562 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ); 1860 ev_io_init (&stdin_readable, stdin_readable_cb, STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ);
1563 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable); 1861 ev_io_start (loop, &stdin_readable);
1564 ev_loop (loop, 0); 1862 ev_run (loop, 0);
1565 1863
1566 1864
1567=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts 1865=head2 C<ev_timer> - relative and optionally repeating timeouts
1568 1866
1569Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a 1867Timer watchers are simple relative timers that generate an event after a
1575detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the 1873detecting time jumps is hard, and some inaccuracies are unavoidable (the
1576monotonic clock option helps a lot here). 1874monotonic clock option helps a lot here).
1577 1875
1578The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has 1876The callback is guaranteed to be invoked only I<after> its timeout has
1579passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this 1877passed (not I<at>, so on systems with very low-resolution clocks this
1580might introduce a small delay). If multiple timers become ready during the 1878might introduce a small delay, see "the special problem of being too
1879early", below). If multiple timers become ready during the same loop
1581same loop iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked 1880iteration then the ones with earlier time-out values are invoked before
1582before ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is 1881ones of the same priority with later time-out values (but this is no
1583no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively). 1882longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1584 1883
1585=head3 Be smart about timeouts 1884=head3 Be smart about timeouts
1586 1885
1587Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error 1886Many real-world problems involve some kind of timeout, usually for error
1588recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs, 1887recovery. A typical example is an HTTP request - if the other side hangs,
1663 1962
1664In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone, 1963In this case, it would be more efficient to leave the C<ev_timer> alone,
1665but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only 1964but remember the time of last activity, and check for a real timeout only
1666within the callback: 1965within the callback:
1667 1966
1967 ev_tstamp timeout = 60.;
1668 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity 1968 ev_tstamp last_activity; // time of last activity
1969 ev_timer timer;
1669 1970
1670 static void 1971 static void
1671 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents) 1972 callback (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
1672 { 1973 {
1673 ev_tstamp now = ev_now (EV_A); 1974 // calculate when the timeout would happen
1674 ev_tstamp timeout = last_activity + 60.; 1975 ev_tstamp after = last_activity - ev_now (EV_A) + timeout;
1675 1976
1676 // if last_activity + 60. is older than now, we did time out 1977 // if negative, it means we the timeout already occurred
1677 if (timeout < now) 1978 if (after < 0.)
1678 { 1979 {
1679 // timeout occured, take action 1980 // timeout occurred, take action
1680 } 1981 }
1681 else 1982 else
1682 { 1983 {
1683 // callback was invoked, but there was some activity, re-arm 1984 // callback was invoked, but there was some recent
1684 // the watcher to fire in last_activity + 60, which is 1985 // activity. simply restart the timer to time out
1685 // guaranteed to be in the future, so "again" is positive: 1986 // after "after" seconds, which is the earliest time
1686 w->repeat = timeout - now; 1987 // the timeout can occur.
1988 ev_timer_set (w, after, 0.);
1687 ev_timer_again (EV_A_ w); 1989 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ w);
1688 } 1990 }
1689 } 1991 }
1690 1992
1691To summarise the callback: first calculate the real timeout (defined 1993To summarise the callback: first calculate in how many seconds the
1692as "60 seconds after the last activity"), then check if that time has 1994timeout will occur (by calculating the absolute time when it would occur,
1693been reached, which means something I<did>, in fact, time out. Otherwise 1995C<last_activity + timeout>, and subtracting the current time, C<ev_now
1694the callback was invoked too early (C<timeout> is in the future), so 1996(EV_A)> from that).
1695re-schedule the timer to fire at that future time, to see if maybe we have
1696a timeout then.
1697 1997
1698Note how C<ev_timer_again> is used, taking advantage of the 1998If this value is negative, then we are already past the timeout, i.e. we
1699C<ev_timer_again> optimisation when the timer is already running. 1999timed out, and need to do whatever is needed in this case.
2000
2001Otherwise, we now the earliest time at which the timeout would trigger,
2002and simply start the timer with this timeout value.
2003
2004In other words, each time the callback is invoked it will check whether
2005the timeout occurred. If not, it will simply reschedule itself to check
2006again at the earliest time it could time out. Rinse. Repeat.
1700 2007
1701This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds 2008This scheme causes more callback invocations (about one every 60 seconds
1702minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to 2009minus half the average time between activity), but virtually no calls to
1703libev to change the timeout. 2010libev to change the timeout.
1704 2011
1705To start the timer, simply initialise the watcher and set C<last_activity> 2012To start the machinery, simply initialise the watcher and set
1706to the current time (meaning we just have some activity :), then call the 2013C<last_activity> to the current time (meaning there was some activity just
1707callback, which will "do the right thing" and start the timer: 2014now), then call the callback, which will "do the right thing" and start
2015the timer:
1708 2016
2017 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
1709 ev_init (timer, callback); 2018 ev_init (&timer, callback);
1710 last_activity = ev_now (loop); 2019 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1711 callback (loop, timer, EV_TIMEOUT);
1712 2020
1713And when there is some activity, simply store the current time in 2021When there is some activity, simply store the current time in
1714C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all: 2022C<last_activity>, no libev calls at all:
1715 2023
2024 if (activity detected)
1716 last_actiivty = ev_now (loop); 2025 last_activity = ev_now (EV_A);
2026
2027When your timeout value changes, then the timeout can be changed by simply
2028providing a new value, stopping the timer and calling the callback, which
2029will again do the right thing (for example, time out immediately :).
2030
2031 timeout = new_value;
2032 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &timer);
2033 callback (EV_A_ &timer, 0);
1717 2034
1718This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the 2035This technique is slightly more complex, but in most cases where the
1719time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient. 2036time-out is unlikely to be triggered, much more efficient.
1720
1721Changing the timeout is trivial as well (if it isn't hard-coded in the
1722callback :) - just change the timeout and invoke the callback, which will
1723fix things for you.
1724 2037
1725=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts. 2038=item 4. Wee, just use a double-linked list for your timeouts.
1726 2039
1727If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all 2040If there is not one request, but many thousands (millions...), all
1728employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can 2041employing some kind of timeout with the same timeout value, then one can
1755Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is 2068Method #1 is almost always a bad idea, and buys you nothing. Method #4 is
1756rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays 2069rather complicated, but extremely efficient, something that really pays
1757off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually 2070off after the first million or so of active timers, i.e. it's usually
1758overkill :) 2071overkill :)
1759 2072
2073=head3 The special problem of being too early
2074
2075If you ask a timer to call your callback after three seconds, then
2076you expect it to be invoked after three seconds - but of course, this
2077cannot be guaranteed to infinite precision. Less obviously, it cannot be
2078guaranteed to any precision by libev - imagine somebody suspending the
2079process with a STOP signal for a few hours for example.
2080
2081So, libev tries to invoke your callback as soon as possible I<after> the
2082delay has occurred, but cannot guarantee this.
2083
2084A less obvious failure mode is calling your callback too early: many event
2085loops compare timestamps with a "elapsed delay >= requested delay", but
2086this can cause your callback to be invoked much earlier than you would
2087expect.
2088
2089To see why, imagine a system with a clock that only offers full second
2090resolution (think windows if you can't come up with a broken enough OS
2091yourself). If you schedule a one-second timer at the time 500.9, then the
2092event loop will schedule your timeout to elapse at a system time of 500
2093(500.9 truncated to the resolution) + 1, or 501.
2094
2095If an event library looks at the timeout 0.1s later, it will see "501 >=
2096501" and invoke the callback 0.1s after it was started, even though a
2097one-second delay was requested - this is being "too early", despite best
2098intentions.
2099
2100This is the reason why libev will never invoke the callback if the elapsed
2101delay equals the requested delay, but only when the elapsed delay is
2102larger than the requested delay. In the example above, libev would only invoke
2103the callback at system time 502, or 1.1s after the timer was started.
2104
2105So, while libev cannot guarantee that your callback will be invoked
2106exactly when requested, it I<can> and I<does> guarantee that the requested
2107delay has actually elapsed, or in other words, it always errs on the "too
2108late" side of things.
2109
1760=head3 The special problem of time updates 2110=head3 The special problem of time updates
1761 2111
1762Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes at 2112Establishing the current time is a costly operation (it usually takes
1763least two system calls): EV therefore updates its idea of the current 2113at least one system call): EV therefore updates its idea of the current
1764time only before and after C<ev_loop> collects new events, which causes a 2114time only before and after C<ev_run> collects new events, which causes a
1765growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling 2115growing difference between C<ev_now ()> and C<ev_time ()> when handling
1766lots of events in one iteration. 2116lots of events in one iteration.
1767 2117
1768The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()> 2118The relative timeouts are calculated relative to the C<ev_now ()>
1769time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time 2119time. This is usually the right thing as this timestamp refers to the time
1770of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If 2120of the event triggering whatever timeout you are modifying/starting. If
1771you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the 2121you suspect event processing to be delayed and you I<need> to base the
1772timeout on the current time, use something like this to adjust for this: 2122timeout on the current time, use something like the following to adjust
2123for it:
1773 2124
1774 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + ev_now () - ev_time (), 0.); 2125 ev_timer_set (&timer, after + (ev_time () - ev_now ()), 0.);
1775 2126
1776If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an 2127If the event loop is suspended for a long time, you can also force an
1777update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update 2128update of the time returned by C<ev_now ()> by calling C<ev_now_update
1778()>. 2129()>, although that will push the event time of all outstanding events
2130further into the future.
2131
2132=head3 The special problem of unsynchronised clocks
2133
2134Modern systems have a variety of clocks - libev itself uses the normal
2135"wall clock" clock and, if available, the monotonic clock (to avoid time
2136jumps).
2137
2138Neither of these clocks is synchronised with each other or any other clock
2139on the system, so C<ev_time ()> might return a considerably different time
2140than C<gettimeofday ()> or C<time ()>. On a GNU/Linux system, for example,
2141a call to C<gettimeofday> might return a second count that is one higher
2142than a directly following call to C<time>.
2143
2144The moral of this is to only compare libev-related timestamps with
2145C<ev_time ()> and C<ev_now ()>, at least if you want better precision than
2146a second or so.
2147
2148One more problem arises due to this lack of synchronisation: if libev uses
2149the system monotonic clock and you compare timestamps from C<ev_time>
2150or C<ev_now> from when you started your timer and when your callback is
2151invoked, you will find that sometimes the callback is a bit "early".
2152
2153This is because C<ev_timer>s work in real time, not wall clock time, so
2154libev makes sure your callback is not invoked before the delay happened,
2155I<measured according to the real time>, not the system clock.
2156
2157If your timeouts are based on a physical timescale (e.g. "time out this
2158connection after 100 seconds") then this shouldn't bother you as it is
2159exactly the right behaviour.
2160
2161If you want to compare wall clock/system timestamps to your timers, then
2162you need to use C<ev_periodic>s, as these are based on the wall clock
2163time, where your comparisons will always generate correct results.
1779 2164
1780=head3 The special problems of suspended animation 2165=head3 The special problems of suspended animation
1781 2166
1782When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that 2167When you leave the server world it is quite customary to hit machines that
1783can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend? 2168can suspend/hibernate - what happens to the clocks during such a suspend?
1813 2198
1814=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2199=item ev_timer_init (ev_timer *, callback, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1815 2200
1816=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat) 2201=item ev_timer_set (ev_timer *, ev_tstamp after, ev_tstamp repeat)
1817 2202
1818Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds. If C<repeat> 2203Configure the timer to trigger after C<after> seconds (fractional and
1819is C<0.>, then it will automatically be stopped once the timeout is 2204negative values are supported). If C<repeat> is C<0.>, then it will
1820reached. If it is positive, then the timer will automatically be 2205automatically be stopped once the timeout is reached. If it is positive,
1821configured to trigger again C<repeat> seconds later, again, and again, 2206then the timer will automatically be configured to trigger again C<repeat>
1822until stopped manually. 2207seconds later, again, and again, until stopped manually.
1823 2208
1824The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if 2209The timer itself will do a best-effort at avoiding drift, that is, if
1825you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally 2210you configure a timer to trigger every 10 seconds, then it will normally
1826trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot 2211trigger at exactly 10 second intervals. If, however, your program cannot
1827keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to 2212keep up with the timer (because it takes longer than those 10 seconds to
1828do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration. 2213do stuff) the timer will not fire more than once per event loop iteration.
1829 2214
1830=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *) 2215=item ev_timer_again (loop, ev_timer *)
1831 2216
1832This will act as if the timer timed out and restart it again if it is 2217This will act as if the timer timed out, and restarts it again if it is
1833repeating. The exact semantics are: 2218repeating. It basically works like calling C<ev_timer_stop>, updating the
2219timeout to the C<repeat> value and calling C<ev_timer_start>.
1834 2220
2221The exact semantics are as in the following rules, all of which will be
2222applied to the watcher:
2223
2224=over 4
2225
1835If the timer is pending, its pending status is cleared. 2226=item If the timer is pending, the pending status is always cleared.
1836 2227
1837If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed out). 2228=item If the timer is started but non-repeating, stop it (as if it timed
2229out, without invoking it).
1838 2230
1839If the timer is repeating, either start it if necessary (with the 2231=item If the timer is repeating, make the C<repeat> value the new timeout
1840C<repeat> value), or reset the running timer to the C<repeat> value. 2232and start the timer, if necessary.
1841 2233
2234=back
2235
1842This sounds a bit complicated, see L<Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a 2236This sounds a bit complicated, see L</Be smart about timeouts>, above, for a
1843usage example. 2237usage example.
1844 2238
1845=item ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *) 2239=item ev_tstamp ev_timer_remaining (loop, ev_timer *)
1846 2240
1847Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active, 2241Returns the remaining time until a timer fires. If the timer is active,
1848then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's 2242then this time is relative to the current event loop time, otherwise it's
1849the timeout value currently configured. 2243the timeout value currently configured.
1850 2244
1851That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns 2245That is, after an C<ev_timer_set (w, 5, 7)>, C<ev_timer_remaining> returns
1852C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remain> 2246C<5>. When the timer is started and one second passes, C<ev_timer_remaining>
1853will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return 2247will return C<4>. When the timer expires and is restarted, it will return
1854roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time, 2248roughly C<7> (likely slightly less as callback invocation takes some time,
1855too), and so on. 2249too), and so on.
1856 2250
1857=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write] 2251=item ev_tstamp repeat [read-write]
1886 } 2280 }
1887 2281
1888 ev_timer mytimer; 2282 ev_timer mytimer;
1889 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */ 2283 ev_timer_init (&mytimer, timeout_cb, 0., 10.); /* note, only repeat used */
1890 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */ 2284 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); /* start timer */
1891 ev_loop (loop, 0); 2285 ev_run (loop, 0);
1892 2286
1893 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity": 2287 // and in some piece of code that gets executed on any "activity":
1894 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds 2288 // reset the timeout to start ticking again at 10 seconds
1895 ev_timer_again (&mytimer); 2289 ev_timer_again (&mytimer);
1896 2290
1900Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile 2294Periodic watchers are also timers of a kind, but they are very versatile
1901(and unfortunately a bit complex). 2295(and unfortunately a bit complex).
1902 2296
1903Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or 2297Unlike C<ev_timer>, periodic watchers are not based on real time (or
1904relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time 2298relative time, the physical time that passes) but on wall clock time
1905(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calender or clock). The 2299(absolute time, the thing you can read on your calendar or clock). The
1906difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real 2300difference is that wall clock time can run faster or slower than real
1907time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your 2301time, and time jumps are not uncommon (e.g. when you adjust your
1908wrist-watch). 2302wrist-watch).
1909 2303
1910You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point 2304You can tell a periodic watcher to trigger after some specific point
1915C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting 2309C<ev_timer>, which would still trigger roughly 10 seconds after starting
1916it, as it uses a relative timeout). 2310it, as it uses a relative timeout).
1917 2311
1918C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex 2312C<ev_periodic> watchers can also be used to implement vastly more complex
1919timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or 2313timers, such as triggering an event on each "midnight, local time", or
1920other complicated rules. This cannot be done with C<ev_timer> watchers, as 2314other complicated rules. This cannot easily be done with C<ev_timer>
1921those cannot react to time jumps. 2315watchers, as those cannot react to time jumps.
1922 2316
1923As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the 2317As with timers, the callback is guaranteed to be invoked only when the
1924point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple 2318point in time where it is supposed to trigger has passed. If multiple
1925timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with 2319timers become ready during the same loop iteration then the ones with
1926earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values 2320earlier time-out values are invoked before ones with later time-out values
1927(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_loop> recursively). 2321(but this is no longer true when a callback calls C<ev_run> recursively).
1928 2322
1929=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2323=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
1930 2324
1931=over 4 2325=over 4
1932 2326
1967 2361
1968Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that 2362Another way to think about it (for the mathematically inclined) is that
1969C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible 2363C<ev_periodic> will try to run the callback in this mode at the next possible
1970time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps. 2364time where C<time = offset (mod interval)>, regardless of any time jumps.
1971 2365
1972For numerical stability it is preferable that the C<offset> value is near 2366The C<interval> I<MUST> be positive, and for numerical stability, the
1973C<ev_now ()> (the current time), but there is no range requirement for 2367interval value should be higher than C<1/8192> (which is around 100
1974this value, and in fact is often specified as zero. 2368microseconds) and C<offset> should be higher than C<0> and should have
2369at most a similar magnitude as the current time (say, within a factor of
2370ten). Typical values for offset are, in fact, C<0> or something between
2371C<0> and C<interval>, which is also the recommended range.
1975 2372
1976Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU 2373Note also that there is an upper limit to how often a timer can fire (CPU
1977speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability 2374speed for example), so if C<interval> is very small then timing stability
1978will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one 2375will of course deteriorate. Libev itself tries to be exact to be about one
1979millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough). 2376millisecond (if the OS supports it and the machine is fast enough).
2009 2406
2010NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or 2407NOTE: I<< This callback must always return a time that is higher than or
2011equal to the passed C<now> value >>. 2408equal to the passed C<now> value >>.
2012 2409
2013This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that 2410This can be used to create very complex timers, such as a timer that
2014triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate the 2411triggers on "next midnight, local time". To do this, you would calculate
2015next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for this. How 2412the next midnight after C<now> and return the timestamp value for
2016you do this is, again, up to you (but it is not trivial, which is the main 2413this. Here is a (completely untested, no error checking) example on how to
2017reason I omitted it as an example). 2414do this:
2415
2416 #include <time.h>
2417
2418 static ev_tstamp
2419 my_rescheduler (ev_periodic *w, ev_tstamp now)
2420 {
2421 time_t tnow = (time_t)now;
2422 struct tm tm;
2423 localtime_r (&tnow, &tm);
2424
2425 tm.tm_sec = tm.tm_min = tm.tm_hour = 0; // midnight current day
2426 ++tm.tm_mday; // midnight next day
2427
2428 return mktime (&tm);
2429 }
2430
2431Note: this code might run into trouble on days that have more then two
2432midnights (beginning and end).
2018 2433
2019=back 2434=back
2020 2435
2021=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *) 2436=item ev_periodic_again (loop, ev_periodic *)
2022 2437
2060Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the 2475Example: Call a callback every hour, or, more precisely, whenever the
2061system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have 2476system time is divisible by 3600. The callback invocation times have
2062potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability. 2477potentially a lot of jitter, but good long-term stability.
2063 2478
2064 static void 2479 static void
2065 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w, int revents) 2480 clock_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_periodic *w, int revents)
2066 { 2481 {
2067 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows) 2482 ... its now a full hour (UTC, or TAI or whatever your clock follows)
2068 } 2483 }
2069 2484
2070 ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2485 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
2087 2502
2088 ev_periodic hourly_tick; 2503 ev_periodic hourly_tick;
2089 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb, 2504 ev_periodic_init (&hourly_tick, clock_cb,
2090 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0); 2505 fmod (ev_now (loop), 3600.), 3600., 0);
2091 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick); 2506 ev_periodic_start (loop, &hourly_tick);
2092 2507
2093 2508
2094=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled! 2509=head2 C<ev_signal> - signal me when a signal gets signalled!
2095 2510
2096Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific 2511Signal watchers will trigger an event when the process receives a specific
2097signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev 2512signal one or more times. Even though signals are very asynchronous, libev
2098will try it's best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the 2513will try its best to deliver signals synchronously, i.e. as part of the
2099normal event processing, like any other event. 2514normal event processing, like any other event.
2100 2515
2101If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use 2516If you want signals to be delivered truly asynchronously, just use
2102C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing 2517C<sigaction> as you would do without libev and forget about sharing
2103the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to 2518the signal. You can even use C<ev_async> from a signal handler to
2107only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your 2522only within the same loop, i.e. you can watch for C<SIGINT> in your
2108default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for 2523default loop and for C<SIGIO> in another loop, but you cannot watch for
2109C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At 2524C<SIGINT> in both the default loop and another loop at the same time. At
2110the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop. 2525the moment, C<SIGCHLD> is permanently tied to the default loop.
2111 2526
2112When the first watcher gets started will libev actually register something 2527Only after the first watcher for a signal is started will libev actually
2113with the kernel (thus it coexists with your own signal handlers as long as 2528register something with the kernel. It thus coexists with your own signal
2114you don't register any with libev for the same signal). 2529handlers as long as you don't register any with libev for the same signal.
2115 2530
2116If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with 2531If possible and supported, libev will install its handlers with
2117C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should 2532C<SA_RESTART> (or equivalent) behaviour enabled, so system calls should
2118not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting 2533not be unduly interrupted. If you have a problem with system calls getting
2119interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher 2534interrupted by signals you can block all signals in an C<ev_check> watcher
2120and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher. 2535and unblock them in an C<ev_prepare> watcher.
2121 2536
2122=head3 The special problem of inheritance over execve 2537=head3 The special problem of inheritance over fork/execve/pthread_create
2123 2538
2124Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition 2539Both the signal mask (C<sigprocmask>) and the signal disposition
2125(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after 2540(C<sigaction>) are unspecified after starting a signal watcher (and after
2126stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal, 2541stopping it again), that is, libev might or might not block the signal,
2127and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler. 2542and might or might not set or restore the installed signal handler (but
2543see C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK>).
2128 2544
2129While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never 2545While this does not matter for the signal disposition (libev never
2130sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on 2546sets signals to C<SIG_IGN>, so handlers will be reset to C<SIG_DFL> on
2131C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect 2547C<execve>), this matters for the signal mask: many programs do not expect
2132certain signals to be blocked. 2548certain signals to be blocked.
2137 2553
2138The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is 2554The simplest way to ensure that the signal mask is reset in the child is
2139to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will 2555to install a fork handler with C<pthread_atfork> that resets it. That will
2140catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well. 2556catch fork calls done by libraries (such as the libc) as well.
2141 2557
2142In current versions of libev, you can also ensure that the signal mask is 2558In current versions of libev, the signal will not be blocked indefinitely
2143not blocking any signals (except temporarily, so thread users watch out) 2559unless you use the C<signalfd> API (C<EV_SIGNALFD>). While this reduces
2144by specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGFD> when creating the event loop. This 2560the window of opportunity for problems, it will not go away, as libev
2145is not guaranteed for future versions, however. 2561I<has> to modify the signal mask, at least temporarily.
2562
2563So I can't stress this enough: I<If you do not reset your signal mask when
2564you expect it to be empty, you have a race condition in your code>. This
2565is not a libev-specific thing, this is true for most event libraries.
2566
2567=head3 The special problem of threads signal handling
2568
2569POSIX threads has problematic signal handling semantics, specifically,
2570a lot of functionality (sigfd, sigwait etc.) only really works if all
2571threads in a process block signals, which is hard to achieve.
2572
2573When you want to use sigwait (or mix libev signal handling with your own
2574for the same signals), you can tackle this problem by globally blocking
2575all signals before creating any threads (or creating them with a fully set
2576sigprocmask) and also specifying the C<EVFLAG_NOSIGMASK> when creating
2577loops. Then designate one thread as "signal receiver thread" which handles
2578these signals. You can pass on any signals that libev might be interested
2579in by calling C<ev_feed_signal>.
2146 2580
2147=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2581=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2148 2582
2149=over 4 2583=over 4
2150 2584
2166Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT. 2600Example: Try to exit cleanly on SIGINT.
2167 2601
2168 static void 2602 static void
2169 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents) 2603 sigint_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_signal *w, int revents)
2170 { 2604 {
2171 ev_unloop (loop, EVUNLOOP_ALL); 2605 ev_break (loop, EVBREAK_ALL);
2172 } 2606 }
2173 2607
2174 ev_signal signal_watcher; 2608 ev_signal signal_watcher;
2175 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT); 2609 ev_signal_init (&signal_watcher, sigint_cb, SIGINT);
2176 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher); 2610 ev_signal_start (loop, &signal_watcher);
2285 2719
2286=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change? 2720=head2 C<ev_stat> - did the file attributes just change?
2287 2721
2288This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls 2722This watches a file system path for attribute changes. That is, it calls
2289C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed) 2723C<stat> on that path in regular intervals (or when the OS says it changed)
2290and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback if 2724and sees if it changed compared to the last time, invoking the callback
2291it did. 2725if it did. Starting the watcher C<stat>'s the file, so only changes that
2726happen after the watcher has been started will be reported.
2292 2727
2293The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does 2728The path does not need to exist: changing from "path exists" to "path does
2294not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not 2729not exist" is a status change like any other. The condition "path does not
2295exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the 2730exist" (or more correctly "path cannot be stat'ed") is signified by the
2296C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at 2731C<st_nlink> field being zero (which is otherwise always forced to be at
2526Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful 2961Apart from keeping your process non-blocking (which is a useful
2527effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do 2962effect on its own sometimes), idle watchers are a good place to do
2528"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the 2963"pseudo-background processing", or delay processing stuff to after the
2529event loop has handled all outstanding events. 2964event loop has handled all outstanding events.
2530 2965
2966=head3 Abusing an C<ev_idle> watcher for its side-effect
2967
2968As long as there is at least one active idle watcher, libev will never
2969sleep unnecessarily. Or in other words, it will loop as fast as possible.
2970For this to work, the idle watcher doesn't need to be invoked at all - the
2971lowest priority will do.
2972
2973This mode of operation can be useful together with an C<ev_check> watcher,
2974to do something on each event loop iteration - for example to balance load
2975between different connections.
2976
2977See L</Abusing an ev_check watcher for its side-effect> for a longer
2978example.
2979
2531=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 2980=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2532 2981
2533=over 4 2982=over 4
2534 2983
2535=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback) 2984=item ev_idle_init (ev_idle *, callback)
2546callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual. 2995callback, free it. Also, use no error checking, as usual.
2547 2996
2548 static void 2997 static void
2549 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents) 2998 idle_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_idle *w, int revents)
2550 { 2999 {
3000 // stop the watcher
3001 ev_idle_stop (loop, w);
3002
3003 // now we can free it
2551 free (w); 3004 free (w);
3005
2552 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has 3006 // now do something you wanted to do when the program has
2553 // no longer anything immediate to do. 3007 // no longer anything immediate to do.
2554 } 3008 }
2555 3009
2556 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle)); 3010 ev_idle *idle_watcher = malloc (sizeof (ev_idle));
2558 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher); 3012 ev_idle_start (loop, idle_watcher);
2559 3013
2560 3014
2561=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop! 3015=head2 C<ev_prepare> and C<ev_check> - customise your event loop!
2562 3016
2563Prepare and check watchers are usually (but not always) used in pairs: 3017Prepare and check watchers are often (but not always) used in pairs:
2564prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers 3018prepare watchers get invoked before the process blocks and check watchers
2565afterwards. 3019afterwards.
2566 3020
2567You I<must not> call C<ev_loop> or similar functions that enter 3021You I<must not> call C<ev_run> (or similar functions that enter the
2568the current event loop from either C<ev_prepare> or C<ev_check> 3022current event loop) or C<ev_loop_fork> from either C<ev_prepare> or
2569watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine, however. The 3023C<ev_check> watchers. Other loops than the current one are fine,
2570rationale behind this is that you do not need to check for recursion in 3024however. The rationale behind this is that you do not need to check
2571those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be C<ev_prepare>, blocking, 3025for recursion in those watchers, i.e. the sequence will always be
2572C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each kind they will always be 3026C<ev_prepare>, blocking, C<ev_check> so if you have one watcher of each
2573called in pairs bracketing the blocking call. 3027kind they will always be called in pairs bracketing the blocking call.
2574 3028
2575Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and 3029Their main purpose is to integrate other event mechanisms into libev and
2576their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track 3030their use is somewhat advanced. They could be used, for example, to track
2577variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a 3031variable changes, implement your own watchers, integrate net-snmp or a
2578coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if 3032coroutine library and lots more. They are also occasionally useful if
2596with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine 3050with priority higher than or equal to the event loop and one coroutine
2597of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event 3051of lower priority, but only once, using idle watchers to keep the event
2598loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping 3052loop from blocking if lower-priority coroutines are active, thus mapping
2599low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks). 3053low-priority coroutines to idle/background tasks).
2600 3054
2601It is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) 3055When used for this purpose, it is recommended to give C<ev_check> watchers
2602priority, to ensure that they are being run before any other watchers 3056highest (C<EV_MAXPRI>) priority, to ensure that they are being run before
2603after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare> watchers). 3057any other watchers after the poll (this doesn't matter for C<ev_prepare>
3058watchers).
2604 3059
2605Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not 3060Also, C<ev_check> watchers (and C<ev_prepare> watchers, too) should not
2606activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they 3061activate ("feed") events into libev. While libev fully supports this, they
2607might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As 3062might get executed before other C<ev_check> watchers did their job. As
2608C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event 3063C<ev_check> watchers are often used to embed other (non-libev) event
2609loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their 3064loops those other event loops might be in an unusable state until their
2610C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with 3065C<ev_check> watcher ran (always remind yourself to coexist peacefully with
2611others). 3066others).
3067
3068=head3 Abusing an C<ev_check> watcher for its side-effect
3069
3070C<ev_check> (and less often also C<ev_prepare>) watchers can also be
3071useful because they are called once per event loop iteration. For
3072example, if you want to handle a large number of connections fairly, you
3073normally only do a bit of work for each active connection, and if there
3074is more work to do, you wait for the next event loop iteration, so other
3075connections have a chance of making progress.
3076
3077Using an C<ev_check> watcher is almost enough: it will be called on the
3078next event loop iteration. However, that isn't as soon as possible -
3079without external events, your C<ev_check> watcher will not be invoked.
3080
3081This is where C<ev_idle> watchers come in handy - all you need is a
3082single global idle watcher that is active as long as you have one active
3083C<ev_check> watcher. The C<ev_idle> watcher makes sure the event loop
3084will not sleep, and the C<ev_check> watcher makes sure a callback gets
3085invoked. Neither watcher alone can do that.
2612 3086
2613=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3087=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2614 3088
2615=over 4 3089=over 4
2616 3090
2740 3214
2741 if (timeout >= 0) 3215 if (timeout >= 0)
2742 // create/start timer 3216 // create/start timer
2743 3217
2744 // poll 3218 // poll
2745 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 3219 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
2746 3220
2747 // stop timer again 3221 // stop timer again
2748 if (timeout >= 0) 3222 if (timeout >= 0)
2749 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to); 3223 ev_timer_stop (EV_A_ &to);
2750 3224
2817 3291
2818=over 4 3292=over 4
2819 3293
2820=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 3294=item ev_embed_init (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2821 3295
2822=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, callback, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop) 3296=item ev_embed_set (ev_embed *, struct ev_loop *embedded_loop)
2823 3297
2824Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be 3298Configures the watcher to embed the given loop, which must be
2825embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be 3299embeddable. If the callback is C<0>, then C<ev_embed_sweep> will be
2826invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback 3300invoked automatically, otherwise it is the responsibility of the callback
2827to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done, 3301to invoke it (it will continue to be called until the sweep has been done,
2828if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher). 3302if you do not want that, you need to temporarily stop the embed watcher).
2829 3303
2830=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *) 3304=item ev_embed_sweep (loop, ev_embed *)
2831 3305
2832Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works 3306Make a single, non-blocking sweep over the embedded loop. This works
2833similarly to C<ev_loop (embedded_loop, EVLOOP_NONBLOCK)>, but in the most 3307similarly to C<ev_run (embedded_loop, EVRUN_NOWAIT)>, but in the most
2834appropriate way for embedded loops. 3308appropriate way for embedded loops.
2835 3309
2836=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only] 3310=item struct ev_loop *other [read-only]
2837 3311
2838The embedded event loop. 3312The embedded event loop.
2848used). 3322used).
2849 3323
2850 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0); 3324 struct ev_loop *loop_hi = ev_default_init (0);
2851 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0; 3325 struct ev_loop *loop_lo = 0;
2852 ev_embed embed; 3326 ev_embed embed;
2853 3327
2854 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works 3328 // see if there is a chance of getting one that works
2855 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection) 3329 // (remember that a flags value of 0 means autodetection)
2856 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends () 3330 loop_lo = ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()
2857 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ()) 3331 ? ev_loop_new (ev_embeddable_backends () & ev_recommended_backends ())
2858 : 0; 3332 : 0;
2872C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too). 3346C<loop_socket>. (One might optionally use C<EVFLAG_NOENV>, too).
2873 3347
2874 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0); 3348 struct ev_loop *loop = ev_default_init (0);
2875 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0; 3349 struct ev_loop *loop_socket = 0;
2876 ev_embed embed; 3350 ev_embed embed;
2877 3351
2878 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE) 3352 if (ev_supported_backends () & ~ev_recommended_backends () & EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)
2879 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE)) 3353 if ((loop_socket = ev_loop_new (EVBACKEND_KQUEUE))
2880 { 3354 {
2881 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket); 3355 ev_embed_init (&embed, 0, loop_socket);
2882 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed); 3356 ev_embed_start (loop, &embed);
2890 3364
2891=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork 3365=head2 C<ev_fork> - the audacity to resume the event loop after a fork
2892 3366
2893Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because 3367Fork watchers are called when a C<fork ()> was detected (usually because
2894whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling 3368whoever is a good citizen cared to tell libev about it by calling
2895C<ev_default_fork> or C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the 3369C<ev_loop_fork>). The invocation is done before the event loop blocks next
2896event loop blocks next and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, 3370and before C<ev_check> watchers are being called, and only in the child
2897and only in the child after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling 3371after the fork. If whoever good citizen calling C<ev_default_fork> cheats
2898C<ev_default_fork> cheats and calls it in the wrong process, the fork 3372and calls it in the wrong process, the fork handlers will be invoked, too,
2899handlers will be invoked, too, of course. 3373of course.
2900 3374
2901=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible? 3375=head3 The special problem of life after fork - how is it possible?
2902 3376
2903Most uses of C<fork()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to ste 3377Most uses of C<fork ()> consist of forking, then some simple calls to set
2904up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This 3378up/change the process environment, followed by a call to C<exec()>. This
2905sequence should be handled by libev without any problems. 3379sequence should be handled by libev without any problems.
2906 3380
2907This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling 3381This changes when the application actually wants to do event handling
2908in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the 3382in the child, or both parent in child, in effect "continuing" after the
2924disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support 3398disadvantage of having to use multiple event loops (which do not support
2925signal watchers). 3399signal watchers).
2926 3400
2927When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for 3401When this is not possible, or you want to use the default loop for
2928other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call 3402other reasons, then in the process that wants to start "fresh", call
2929C<ev_default_destroy ()> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>. Destroying 3403C<ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT)> followed by C<ev_default_loop (...)>.
2930the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered watchers, so you 3404Destroying the default loop will "orphan" (not stop) all registered
2931have to be careful not to execute code that modifies those watchers. Note 3405watchers, so you have to be careful not to execute code that modifies
2932also that in that case, you have to re-register any signal watchers. 3406those watchers. Note also that in that case, you have to re-register any
3407signal watchers.
2933 3408
2934=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members 3409=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
2935 3410
2936=over 4 3411=over 4
2937 3412
2938=item ev_fork_init (ev_signal *, callback) 3413=item ev_fork_init (ev_fork *, callback)
2939 3414
2940Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any 3415Initialises and configures the fork watcher - it has no parameters of any
2941kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless, 3416kind. There is a C<ev_fork_set> macro, but using it is utterly pointless,
2942believe me. 3417really.
2943 3418
2944=back 3419=back
2945 3420
2946 3421
3422=head2 C<ev_cleanup> - even the best things end
3423
3424Cleanup watchers are called just before the event loop is being destroyed
3425by a call to C<ev_loop_destroy>.
3426
3427While there is no guarantee that the event loop gets destroyed, cleanup
3428watchers provide a convenient method to install cleanup hooks for your
3429program, worker threads and so on - you just to make sure to destroy the
3430loop when you want them to be invoked.
3431
3432Cleanup watchers are invoked in the same way as any other watcher. Unlike
3433all other watchers, they do not keep a reference to the event loop (which
3434makes a lot of sense if you think about it). Like all other watchers, you
3435can call libev functions in the callback, except C<ev_cleanup_start>.
3436
3437=head3 Watcher-Specific Functions and Data Members
3438
3439=over 4
3440
3441=item ev_cleanup_init (ev_cleanup *, callback)
3442
3443Initialises and configures the cleanup watcher - it has no parameters of
3444any kind. There is a C<ev_cleanup_set> macro, but using it is utterly
3445pointless, I assure you.
3446
3447=back
3448
3449Example: Register an atexit handler to destroy the default loop, so any
3450cleanup functions are called.
3451
3452 static void
3453 program_exits (void)
3454 {
3455 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
3456 }
3457
3458 ...
3459 atexit (program_exits);
3460
3461
2947=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up another event loop 3462=head2 C<ev_async> - how to wake up an event loop
2948 3463
2949In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other 3464In general, you cannot use an C<ev_loop> from multiple threads or other
2950asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event 3465asynchronous sources such as signal handlers (as opposed to multiple event
2951loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads). 3466loops - those are of course safe to use in different threads).
2952 3467
2953Sometimes, however, you need to wake up another event loop you do not 3468Sometimes, however, you need to wake up an event loop you do not control,
2954control, for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what 3469for example because it belongs to another thread. This is what C<ev_async>
2955C<ev_async> watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you 3470watchers do: as long as the C<ev_async> watcher is active, you can signal
2956can signal it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal 3471it by calling C<ev_async_send>, which is thread- and signal safe.
2957safe.
2958 3472
2959This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals, 3473This functionality is very similar to C<ev_signal> watchers, as signals,
2960too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed 3474too, are asynchronous in nature, and signals, too, will be compressed
2961(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of 3475(i.e. the number of callback invocations may be less than the number of
2962C<ev_async_sent> calls). 3476C<ev_async_send> calls). In fact, you could use signal watchers as a kind
2963 3477of "global async watchers" by using a watcher on an otherwise unused
2964Unlike C<ev_signal> watchers, C<ev_async> works with any event loop, not 3478signal, and C<ev_feed_signal> to signal this watcher from another thread,
2965just the default loop. 3479even without knowing which loop owns the signal.
2966 3480
2967=head3 Queueing 3481=head3 Queueing
2968 3482
2969C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason 3483C<ev_async> does not support queueing of data in any way. The reason
2970is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a 3484is that the author does not know of a simple (or any) algorithm for a
2971multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't 3485multiple-writer-single-reader queue that works in all cases and doesn't
2972need elaborate support such as pthreads. 3486need elaborate support such as pthreads or unportable memory access
3487semantics.
2973 3488
2974That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own 3489That means that if you want to queue data, you have to provide your own
2975queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your 3490queue. But at least I can tell you how to implement locking around your
2976queue: 3491queue:
2977 3492
3061trust me. 3576trust me.
3062 3577
3063=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *) 3578=item ev_async_send (loop, ev_async *)
3064 3579
3065Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds 3580Sends/signals/activates the given C<ev_async> watcher, that is, feeds
3066an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop. Unlike 3581an C<EV_ASYNC> event on the watcher into the event loop, and instantly
3582returns.
3583
3067C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads, signal or 3584Unlike C<ev_feed_event>, this call is safe to do from other threads,
3068similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the embedding 3585signal or similar contexts (see the discussion of C<EV_ATOMIC_T> in the
3069section below on what exactly this means). 3586embedding section below on what exactly this means).
3070 3587
3071Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get 3588Note that, as with other watchers in libev, multiple events might get
3072compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at this 3589compressed into a single callback invocation (another way to look at
3073is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered, set on C<ev_async_send>, 3590this is that C<ev_async> watchers are level-triggered: they are set on
3074reset when the event loop detects that). 3591C<ev_async_send>, reset when the event loop detects that).
3075 3592
3076This call incurs the overhead of a system call only once per event loop 3593This call incurs the overhead of at most one extra system call per event
3077iteration, so while the overhead might be noticeable, it doesn't apply to 3594loop iteration, if the event loop is blocked, and no syscall at all if
3078repeated calls to C<ev_async_send> for the same event loop. 3595the event loop (or your program) is processing events. That means that
3596repeated calls are basically free (there is no need to avoid calls for
3597performance reasons) and that the overhead becomes smaller (typically
3598zero) under load.
3079 3599
3080=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *) 3600=item bool = ev_async_pending (ev_async *)
3081 3601
3082Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the 3602Returns a non-zero value when C<ev_async_send> has been called on the
3083watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the 3603watcher but the event has not yet been processed (or even noted) by the
3100 3620
3101There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now. 3621There are some other functions of possible interest. Described. Here. Now.
3102 3622
3103=over 4 3623=over 4
3104 3624
3105=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback) 3625=item ev_once (loop, int fd, int events, ev_tstamp timeout, callback, arg)
3106 3626
3107This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your 3627This function combines a simple timer and an I/O watcher, calls your
3108callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both 3628callback on whichever event happens first and automatically stops both
3109watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd 3629watchers. This is useful if you want to wait for a single event on an fd
3110or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or 3630or timeout without having to allocate/configure/start/stop/free one or
3116 3636
3117If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be 3637If C<timeout> is less than 0, then no timeout watcher will be
3118started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and 3638started. Otherwise an C<ev_timer> watcher with after = C<timeout> (and
3119repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout. 3639repeat = 0) will be started. C<0> is a valid timeout.
3120 3640
3121The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and gets 3641The callback has the type C<void (*cb)(int revents, void *arg)> and is
3122passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of 3642passed an C<revents> set like normal event callbacks (a combination of
3123C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMEOUT>) and the C<arg> 3643C<EV_ERROR>, C<EV_READ>, C<EV_WRITE> or C<EV_TIMER>) and the C<arg>
3124value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both> 3644value passed to C<ev_once>. Note that it is possible to receive I<both>
3125a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io 3645a timeout and an io event at the same time - you probably should give io
3126events precedence. 3646events precedence.
3127 3647
3128Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO. 3648Example: wait up to ten seconds for data to appear on STDIN_FILENO.
3129 3649
3130 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg) 3650 static void stdin_ready (int revents, void *arg)
3131 { 3651 {
3132 if (revents & EV_READ) 3652 if (revents & EV_READ)
3133 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */; 3653 /* stdin might have data for us, joy! */;
3134 else if (revents & EV_TIMEOUT) 3654 else if (revents & EV_TIMER)
3135 /* doh, nothing entered */; 3655 /* doh, nothing entered */;
3136 } 3656 }
3137 3657
3138 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0); 3658 ev_once (STDIN_FILENO, EV_READ, 10., stdin_ready, 0);
3139 3659
3140=item ev_feed_event (struct ev_loop *, watcher *, int revents)
3141
3142Feeds the given event set into the event loop, as if the specified event
3143had happened for the specified watcher (which must be a pointer to an
3144initialised but not necessarily started event watcher).
3145
3146=item ev_feed_fd_event (struct ev_loop *, int fd, int revents) 3660=item ev_feed_fd_event (loop, int fd, int revents)
3147 3661
3148Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected 3662Feed an event on the given fd, as if a file descriptor backend detected
3149the given events it. 3663the given events.
3150 3664
3151=item ev_feed_signal_event (struct ev_loop *loop, int signum) 3665=item ev_feed_signal_event (loop, int signum)
3152 3666
3153Feed an event as if the given signal occurred (C<loop> must be the default 3667Feed an event as if the given signal occurred. See also C<ev_feed_signal>,
3154loop!). 3668which is async-safe.
3155 3669
3156=back 3670=back
3671
3672
3673=head1 COMMON OR USEFUL IDIOMS (OR BOTH)
3674
3675This section explains some common idioms that are not immediately
3676obvious. Note that examples are sprinkled over the whole manual, and this
3677section only contains stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else.
3678
3679=head2 ASSOCIATING CUSTOM DATA WITH A WATCHER
3680
3681Each watcher has, by default, a C<void *data> member that you can read
3682or modify at any time: libev will completely ignore it. This can be used
3683to associate arbitrary data with your watcher. If you need more data and
3684don't want to allocate memory separately and store a pointer to it in that
3685data member, you can also "subclass" the watcher type and provide your own
3686data:
3687
3688 struct my_io
3689 {
3690 ev_io io;
3691 int otherfd;
3692 void *somedata;
3693 struct whatever *mostinteresting;
3694 };
3695
3696 ...
3697 struct my_io w;
3698 ev_io_init (&w.io, my_cb, fd, EV_READ);
3699
3700And since your callback will be called with a pointer to the watcher, you
3701can cast it back to your own type:
3702
3703 static void my_cb (struct ev_loop *loop, ev_io *w_, int revents)
3704 {
3705 struct my_io *w = (struct my_io *)w_;
3706 ...
3707 }
3708
3709More interesting and less C-conformant ways of casting your callback
3710function type instead have been omitted.
3711
3712=head2 BUILDING YOUR OWN COMPOSITE WATCHERS
3713
3714Another common scenario is to use some data structure with multiple
3715embedded watchers, in effect creating your own watcher that combines
3716multiple libev event sources into one "super-watcher":
3717
3718 struct my_biggy
3719 {
3720 int some_data;
3721 ev_timer t1;
3722 ev_timer t2;
3723 }
3724
3725In this case getting the pointer to C<my_biggy> is a bit more
3726complicated: Either you store the address of your C<my_biggy> struct in
3727the C<data> member of the watcher (for woozies or C++ coders), or you need
3728to use some pointer arithmetic using C<offsetof> inside your watchers (for
3729real programmers):
3730
3731 #include <stddef.h>
3732
3733 static void
3734 t1_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3735 {
3736 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3737 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t1));
3738 }
3739
3740 static void
3741 t2_cb (EV_P_ ev_timer *w, int revents)
3742 {
3743 struct my_biggy big = (struct my_biggy *)
3744 (((char *)w) - offsetof (struct my_biggy, t2));
3745 }
3746
3747=head2 AVOIDING FINISHING BEFORE RETURNING
3748
3749Often you have structures like this in event-based programs:
3750
3751 callback ()
3752 {
3753 free (request);
3754 }
3755
3756 request = start_new_request (..., callback);
3757
3758The intent is to start some "lengthy" operation. The C<request> could be
3759used to cancel the operation, or do other things with it.
3760
3761It's not uncommon to have code paths in C<start_new_request> that
3762immediately invoke the callback, for example, to report errors. Or you add
3763some caching layer that finds that it can skip the lengthy aspects of the
3764operation and simply invoke the callback with the result.
3765
3766The problem here is that this will happen I<before> C<start_new_request>
3767has returned, so C<request> is not set.
3768
3769Even if you pass the request by some safer means to the callback, you
3770might want to do something to the request after starting it, such as
3771canceling it, which probably isn't working so well when the callback has
3772already been invoked.
3773
3774A common way around all these issues is to make sure that
3775C<start_new_request> I<always> returns before the callback is invoked. If
3776C<start_new_request> immediately knows the result, it can artificially
3777delay invoking the callback by using a C<prepare> or C<idle> watcher for
3778example, or more sneakily, by reusing an existing (stopped) watcher and
3779pushing it into the pending queue:
3780
3781 ev_set_cb (watcher, callback);
3782 ev_feed_event (EV_A_ watcher, 0);
3783
3784This way, C<start_new_request> can safely return before the callback is
3785invoked, while not delaying callback invocation too much.
3786
3787=head2 MODEL/NESTED EVENT LOOP INVOCATIONS AND EXIT CONDITIONS
3788
3789Often (especially in GUI toolkits) there are places where you have
3790I<modal> interaction, which is most easily implemented by recursively
3791invoking C<ev_run>.
3792
3793This brings the problem of exiting - a callback might want to finish the
3794main C<ev_run> call, but not the nested one (e.g. user clicked "Quit", but
3795a modal "Are you sure?" dialog is still waiting), or just the nested one
3796and not the main one (e.g. user clocked "Ok" in a modal dialog), or some
3797other combination: In these cases, a simple C<ev_break> will not work.
3798
3799The solution is to maintain "break this loop" variable for each C<ev_run>
3800invocation, and use a loop around C<ev_run> until the condition is
3801triggered, using C<EVRUN_ONCE>:
3802
3803 // main loop
3804 int exit_main_loop = 0;
3805
3806 while (!exit_main_loop)
3807 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3808
3809 // in a modal watcher
3810 int exit_nested_loop = 0;
3811
3812 while (!exit_nested_loop)
3813 ev_run (EV_A_ EVRUN_ONCE);
3814
3815To exit from any of these loops, just set the corresponding exit variable:
3816
3817 // exit modal loop
3818 exit_nested_loop = 1;
3819
3820 // exit main program, after modal loop is finished
3821 exit_main_loop = 1;
3822
3823 // exit both
3824 exit_main_loop = exit_nested_loop = 1;
3825
3826=head2 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE
3827
3828Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
3829thread from where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
3830created/added/removed.
3831
3832For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
3833which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
3834languages).
3835
3836The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
3837variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
3838event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
3839
3840First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
3841
3842 typedef struct {
3843 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
3844 ev_async async_w;
3845 thread_t tid;
3846 cond_t invoke_cv;
3847 } userdata;
3848
3849 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
3850 {
3851 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
3852 static userdata u;
3853
3854 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
3855 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3856
3857 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
3858 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
3859
3860 // now associate this with the loop
3861 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
3862 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
3863 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
3864
3865 // then create the thread running ev_run
3866 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
3867 }
3868
3869The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
3870solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
3871that might have been added:
3872
3873 static void
3874 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
3875 {
3876 // just used for the side effects
3877 }
3878
3879The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
3880protecting the loop data, respectively.
3881
3882 static void
3883 l_release (EV_P)
3884 {
3885 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3886 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3887 }
3888
3889 static void
3890 l_acquire (EV_P)
3891 {
3892 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3893 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3894 }
3895
3896The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
3897into C<ev_run>:
3898
3899 void *
3900 l_run (void *thr_arg)
3901 {
3902 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
3903
3904 l_acquire (EV_A);
3905 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
3906 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3907 l_release (EV_A);
3908
3909 return 0;
3910 }
3911
3912Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
3913signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
3914writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
3915have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
3916and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
3917watchers is very beneficial):
3918
3919 static void
3920 l_invoke (EV_P)
3921 {
3922 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3923
3924 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
3925 {
3926 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
3927 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
3928 }
3929 }
3930
3931Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
3932will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
3933thread to continue:
3934
3935 static void
3936 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
3937 {
3938 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3939
3940 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3941 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
3942 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
3943 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3944 }
3945
3946Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
3947event loop, you will now have to lock:
3948
3949 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
3950 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
3951
3952 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
3953
3954 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
3955 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
3956 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
3957 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
3958
3959Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
3960an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
3961about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
3962watchers in the next event loop iteration.
3963
3964=head2 THREADS, COROUTINES, CONTINUATIONS, QUEUES... INSTEAD OF CALLBACKS
3965
3966While the overhead of a callback that e.g. schedules a thread is small, it
3967is still an overhead. If you embed libev, and your main usage is with some
3968kind of threads or coroutines, you might want to customise libev so that
3969doesn't need callbacks anymore.
3970
3971Imagine you have coroutines that you can switch to using a function
3972C<switch_to (coro)>, that libev runs in a coroutine called C<libev_coro>
3973and that due to some magic, the currently active coroutine is stored in a
3974global called C<current_coro>. Then you can build your own "wait for libev
3975event" primitive by changing C<EV_CB_DECLARE> and C<EV_CB_INVOKE> (note
3976the differing C<;> conventions):
3977
3978 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
3979 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
3980
3981That means instead of having a C callback function, you store the
3982coroutine to switch to in each watcher, and instead of having libev call
3983your callback, you instead have it switch to that coroutine.
3984
3985A coroutine might now wait for an event with a function called
3986C<wait_for_event>. (the watcher needs to be started, as always, but it doesn't
3987matter when, or whether the watcher is active or not when this function is
3988called):
3989
3990 void
3991 wait_for_event (ev_watcher *w)
3992 {
3993 ev_set_cb (w, current_coro);
3994 switch_to (libev_coro);
3995 }
3996
3997That basically suspends the coroutine inside C<wait_for_event> and
3998continues the libev coroutine, which, when appropriate, switches back to
3999this or any other coroutine.
4000
4001You can do similar tricks if you have, say, threads with an event queue -
4002instead of storing a coroutine, you store the queue object and instead of
4003switching to a coroutine, you push the watcher onto the queue and notify
4004any waiters.
4005
4006To embed libev, see L</EMBEDDING>, but in short, it's easiest to create two
4007files, F<my_ev.h> and F<my_ev.c> that include the respective libev files:
4008
4009 // my_ev.h
4010 #define EV_CB_DECLARE(type) struct my_coro *cb;
4011 #define EV_CB_INVOKE(watcher) switch_to ((watcher)->cb)
4012 #include "../libev/ev.h"
4013
4014 // my_ev.c
4015 #define EV_H "my_ev.h"
4016 #include "../libev/ev.c"
4017
4018And then use F<my_ev.h> when you would normally use F<ev.h>, and compile
4019F<my_ev.c> into your project. When properly specifying include paths, you
4020can even use F<ev.h> as header file name directly.
3157 4021
3158 4022
3159=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION 4023=head1 LIBEVENT EMULATION
3160 4024
3161Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot 4025Libev offers a compatibility emulation layer for libevent. It cannot
3162emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints: 4026emulate the internals of libevent, so here are some usage hints:
3163 4027
3164=over 4 4028=over 4
4029
4030=item * Only the libevent-1.4.1-beta API is being emulated.
4031
4032This was the newest libevent version available when libev was implemented,
4033and is still mostly unchanged in 2010.
3165 4034
3166=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual. 4035=item * Use it by including <event.h>, as usual.
3167 4036
3168=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback, 4037=item * The following members are fully supported: ev_base, ev_callback,
3169ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events. 4038ev_arg, ev_fd, ev_res, ev_events.
3175=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities 4044=item * Priorities are not currently supported. Initialising priorities
3176will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there 4045will fail and all watchers will have the same priority, even though there
3177is an ev_pri field. 4046is an ev_pri field.
3178 4047
3179=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the 4048=item * In libevent, the last base created gets the signals, in libev, the
3180first base created (== the default loop) gets the signals. 4049base that registered the signal gets the signals.
3181 4050
3182=item * Other members are not supported. 4051=item * Other members are not supported.
3183 4052
3184=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need 4053=item * The libev emulation is I<not> ABI compatible to libevent, you need
3185to use the libev header file and library. 4054to use the libev header file and library.
3186 4055
3187=back 4056=back
3188 4057
3189=head1 C++ SUPPORT 4058=head1 C++ SUPPORT
4059
4060=head2 C API
4061
4062The normal C API should work fine when used from C++: both ev.h and the
4063libev sources can be compiled as C++. Therefore, code that uses the C API
4064will work fine.
4065
4066Proper exception specifications might have to be added to callbacks passed
4067to libev: exceptions may be thrown only from watcher callbacks, all other
4068callbacks (allocator, syserr, loop acquire/release and periodic reschedule
4069callbacks) must not throw exceptions, and might need a C<noexcept>
4070specification. If you have code that needs to be compiled as both C and
4071C++ you can use the C<EV_NOEXCEPT> macro for this:
4072
4073 static void
4074 fatal_error (const char *msg) EV_NOEXCEPT
4075 {
4076 perror (msg);
4077 abort ();
4078 }
4079
4080 ...
4081 ev_set_syserr_cb (fatal_error);
4082
4083The only API functions that can currently throw exceptions are C<ev_run>,
4084C<ev_invoke>, C<ev_invoke_pending> and C<ev_loop_destroy> (the latter
4085because it runs cleanup watchers).
4086
4087Throwing exceptions in watcher callbacks is only supported if libev itself
4088is compiled with a C++ compiler or your C and C++ environments allow
4089throwing exceptions through C libraries (most do).
4090
4091=head2 C++ API
3190 4092
3191Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow 4093Libev comes with some simplistic wrapper classes for C++ that mainly allow
3192you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change 4094you to use some convenience methods to start/stop watchers and also change
3193the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects. 4095the callback model to a model using method callbacks on objects.
3194 4096
3195To use it, 4097To use it,
3196 4098
3197 #include <ev++.h> 4099 #include <ev++.h>
3198 4100
3199This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many 4101This automatically includes F<ev.h> and puts all of its definitions (many
3200of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are 4102of them macros) into the global namespace. All C++ specific things are
3201put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding 4103put into the C<ev> namespace. It should support all the same embedding
3204Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++ 4106Care has been taken to keep the overhead low. The only data member the C++
3205classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer 4107classes add (compared to plain C-style watchers) is the event loop pointer
3206that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if 4108that the watcher is associated with (or no additional members at all if
3207you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev). 4109you disable C<EV_MULTIPLICITY> when embedding libev).
3208 4110
3209Currently, functions, and static and non-static member functions can be 4111Currently, functions, static and non-static member functions and classes
3210used as callbacks. Other types should be easy to add as long as they only 4112with C<operator ()> can be used as callbacks. Other types should be easy
3211need one additional pointer for context. If you need support for other 4113to add as long as they only need one additional pointer for context. If
3212types of functors please contact the author (preferably after implementing 4114you need support for other types of functors please contact the author
3213it). 4115(preferably after implementing it).
4116
4117For all this to work, your C++ compiler either has to use the same calling
4118conventions as your C compiler (for static member functions), or you have
4119to embed libev and compile libev itself as C++.
3214 4120
3215Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace: 4121Here is a list of things available in the C<ev> namespace:
3216 4122
3217=over 4 4123=over 4
3218 4124
3228=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc. 4134=item C<ev::io>, C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic>, C<ev::idle>, C<ev::sig> etc.
3229 4135
3230For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of 4136For each C<ev_TYPE> watcher in F<ev.h> there is a corresponding class of
3231the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal> 4137the same name in the C<ev> namespace, with the exception of C<ev_signal>
3232which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro 4138which is called C<ev::sig> to avoid clashes with the C<signal> macro
3233defines by many implementations. 4139defined by many implementations.
3234 4140
3235All of those classes have these methods: 4141All of those classes have these methods:
3236 4142
3237=over 4 4143=over 4
3238 4144
3239=item ev::TYPE::TYPE () 4145=item ev::TYPE::TYPE ()
3240 4146
3241=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (struct ev_loop *) 4147=item ev::TYPE::TYPE (loop)
3242 4148
3243=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE 4149=item ev::TYPE::~TYPE
3244 4150
3245The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher 4151The constructor (optionally) takes an event loop to associate the watcher
3246with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>. 4152with. If it is omitted, it will use C<EV_DEFAULT>.
3279 myclass obj; 4185 myclass obj;
3280 ev::io iow; 4186 ev::io iow;
3281 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj); 4187 iow.set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb> (&obj);
3282 4188
3283=item w->set (object *) 4189=item w->set (object *)
3284
3285This is an B<experimental> feature that might go away in a future version.
3286 4190
3287This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call 4191This is a variation of a method callback - leaving out the method to call
3288will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use 4192will default the method to C<operator ()>, which makes it possible to use
3289functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all 4193functor objects without having to manually specify the C<operator ()> all
3290the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument 4194the time. Incidentally, you can then also leave out the template argument
3302 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents) 4206 void operator() (ev::io &w, int revents)
3303 { 4207 {
3304 ... 4208 ...
3305 } 4209 }
3306 } 4210 }
3307 4211
3308 myfunctor f; 4212 myfunctor f;
3309 4213
3310 ev::io w; 4214 ev::io w;
3311 w.set (&f); 4215 w.set (&f);
3312 4216
3323Example: Use a plain function as callback. 4227Example: Use a plain function as callback.
3324 4228
3325 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { } 4229 static void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents) { }
3326 iow.set <io_cb> (); 4230 iow.set <io_cb> ();
3327 4231
3328=item w->set (struct ev_loop *) 4232=item w->set (loop)
3329 4233
3330Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only 4234Associates a different C<struct ev_loop> with this watcher. You can only
3331do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either). 4235do this when the watcher is inactive (and not pending either).
3332 4236
3333=item w->set ([arguments]) 4237=item w->set ([arguments])
3334 4238
3335Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set>, with the same arguments. Must be 4239Basically the same as C<ev_TYPE_set> (except for C<ev::embed> watchers>),
4240with the same arguments. Either this method or a suitable start method
3336called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher gets 4241must be called at least once. Unlike the C counterpart, an active watcher
3337automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this 4242gets automatically stopped and restarted when reconfiguring it with this
3338method. 4243method.
4244
4245For C<ev::embed> watchers this method is called C<set_embed>, to avoid
4246clashing with the C<set (loop)> method.
3339 4247
3340=item w->start () 4248=item w->start ()
3341 4249
3342Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the 4250Starts the watcher. Note that there is no C<loop> argument, as the
3343constructor already stores the event loop. 4251constructor already stores the event loop.
3344 4252
4253=item w->start ([arguments])
4254
4255Instead of calling C<set> and C<start> methods separately, it is often
4256convenient to wrap them in one call. Uses the same type of arguments as
4257the configure C<set> method of the watcher.
4258
3345=item w->stop () 4259=item w->stop ()
3346 4260
3347Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument. 4261Stops the watcher if it is active. Again, no C<loop> argument.
3348 4262
3349=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only) 4263=item w->again () (C<ev::timer>, C<ev::periodic> only)
3361 4275
3362=back 4276=back
3363 4277
3364=back 4278=back
3365 4279
3366Example: Define a class with an IO and idle watcher, start one of them in 4280Example: Define a class with two I/O and idle watchers, start the I/O
3367the constructor. 4281watchers in the constructor.
3368 4282
3369 class myclass 4283 class myclass
3370 { 4284 {
3371 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents); 4285 ev::io io ; void io_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
4286 ev::io io2 ; void io2_cb (ev::io &w, int revents);
3372 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents); 4287 ev::idle idle; void idle_cb (ev::idle &w, int revents);
3373 4288
3374 myclass (int fd) 4289 myclass (int fd)
3375 { 4290 {
3376 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this); 4291 io .set <myclass, &myclass::io_cb > (this);
4292 io2 .set <myclass, &myclass::io2_cb > (this);
3377 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this); 4293 idle.set <myclass, &myclass::idle_cb> (this);
3378 4294
3379 io.start (fd, ev::READ); 4295 io.set (fd, ev::WRITE); // configure the watcher
4296 io.start (); // start it whenever convenient
4297
4298 io2.start (fd, ev::READ); // set + start in one call
3380 } 4299 }
3381 }; 4300 };
3382 4301
3383 4302
3384=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS 4303=head1 OTHER LANGUAGE BINDINGS
3423L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>. 4342L<http://hackage.haskell.org/cgi-bin/hackage-scripts/package/hlibev>.
3424 4343
3425=item D 4344=item D
3426 4345
3427Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to 4346Leandro Lucarella has written a D language binding (F<ev.d>) for libev, to
3428be found at L<http://proj.llucax.com.ar/wiki/evd>. 4347be found at L<http://www.llucax.com.ar/proj/ev.d/index.html>.
3429 4348
3430=item Ocaml 4349=item Ocaml
3431 4350
3432Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at 4351Erkki Seppala has written Ocaml bindings for libev, to be found at
3433L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>. 4352L<http://modeemi.cs.tut.fi/~flux/software/ocaml-ev/>.
3434 4353
3435=item Lua 4354=item Lua
3436 4355
3437Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev 4356Brian Maher has written a partial interface to libev for lua (at the
3438for lua (only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at 4357time of this writing, only C<ev_io> and C<ev_timer>), to be found at
3439L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>. 4358L<http://github.com/brimworks/lua-ev>.
4359
4360=item Javascript
4361
4362Node.js (L<http://nodejs.org>) uses libev as the underlying event library.
4363
4364=item Others
4365
4366There are others, and I stopped counting.
3440 4367
3441=back 4368=back
3442 4369
3443 4370
3444=head1 MACRO MAGIC 4371=head1 MACRO MAGIC
3458loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument, 4385loop argument"). The C<EV_A> form is used when this is the sole argument,
3459C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example: 4386C<EV_A_> is used when other arguments are following. Example:
3460 4387
3461 ev_unref (EV_A); 4388 ev_unref (EV_A);
3462 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher); 4389 ev_timer_add (EV_A_ watcher);
3463 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0); 4390 ev_run (EV_A_ 0);
3464 4391
3465It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope, 4392It assumes the variable C<loop> of type C<struct ev_loop *> is in scope,
3466which is often provided by the following macro. 4393which is often provided by the following macro.
3467 4394
3468=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_> 4395=item C<EV_P>, C<EV_P_>
3481suitable for use with C<EV_A>. 4408suitable for use with C<EV_A>.
3482 4409
3483=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_> 4410=item C<EV_DEFAULT>, C<EV_DEFAULT_>
3484 4411
3485Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default 4412Similar to the other two macros, this gives you the value of the default
3486loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). 4413loop, if multiple loops are supported ("ev loop default"). The default loop
4414will be initialised if it isn't already initialised.
4415
4416For non-multiplicity builds, these macros do nothing, so you always have
4417to initialise the loop somewhere.
3487 4418
3488=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_> 4419=item C<EV_DEFAULT_UC>, C<EV_DEFAULT_UC_>
3489 4420
3490Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the 4421Usage identical to C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_>, but requires that the
3491default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour 4422default loop has been initialised (C<UC> == unchecked). Their behaviour
3508 } 4439 }
3509 4440
3510 ev_check check; 4441 ev_check check;
3511 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb); 4442 ev_check_init (&check, check_cb);
3512 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check); 4443 ev_check_start (EV_DEFAULT_ &check);
3513 ev_loop (EV_DEFAULT_ 0); 4444 ev_run (EV_DEFAULT_ 0);
3514 4445
3515=head1 EMBEDDING 4446=head1 EMBEDDING
3516 4447
3517Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host 4448Libev can (and often is) directly embedded into host
3518applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra 4449applications. Examples of applications that embed it include the Deliantra
3558 ev_vars.h 4489 ev_vars.h
3559 ev_wrap.h 4490 ev_wrap.h
3560 4491
3561 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only 4492 ev_win32.c required on win32 platforms only
3562 4493
3563 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled (which is enabled by default) 4494 ev_select.c only when select backend is enabled
3564 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4495 ev_poll.c only when poll backend is enabled
3565 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4496 ev_epoll.c only when the epoll backend is enabled
4497 ev_linuxaio.c only when the linux aio backend is enabled
4498 ev_iouring.c only when the linux io_uring backend is enabled
3566 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4499 ev_kqueue.c only when the kqueue backend is enabled
3567 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled (disabled by default) 4500 ev_port.c only when the solaris port backend is enabled
3568 4501
3569F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need 4502F<ev.c> includes the backend files directly when enabled, so you only need
3570to compile this single file. 4503to compile this single file.
3571 4504
3572=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API 4505=head3 LIBEVENT COMPATIBILITY API
3598 libev.m4 4531 libev.m4
3599 4532
3600=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS 4533=head2 PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS
3601 4534
3602Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to 4535Libev can be configured via a variety of preprocessor symbols you have to
3603define before including any of its files. The default in the absence of 4536define before including (or compiling) any of its files. The default in
3604autoconf is documented for every option. 4537the absence of autoconf is documented for every option.
4538
4539Symbols marked with "(h)" do not change the ABI, and can have different
4540values when compiling libev vs. including F<ev.h>, so it is permissible
4541to redefine them before including F<ev.h> without breaking compatibility
4542to a compiled library. All other symbols change the ABI, which means all
4543users of libev and the libev code itself must be compiled with compatible
4544settings.
3605 4545
3606=over 4 4546=over 4
3607 4547
4548=item EV_COMPAT3 (h)
4549
4550Backwards compatibility is a major concern for libev. This is why this
4551release of libev comes with wrappers for the functions and symbols that
4552have been renamed between libev version 3 and 4.
4553
4554You can disable these wrappers (to test compatibility with future
4555versions) by defining C<EV_COMPAT3> to C<0> when compiling your
4556sources. This has the additional advantage that you can drop the C<struct>
4557from C<struct ev_loop> declarations, as libev will provide an C<ev_loop>
4558typedef in that case.
4559
4560In some future version, the default for C<EV_COMPAT3> will become C<0>,
4561and in some even more future version the compatibility code will be
4562removed completely.
4563
3608=item EV_STANDALONE 4564=item EV_STANDALONE (h)
3609 4565
3610Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which 4566Must always be C<1> if you do not use autoconf configuration, which
3611keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy 4567keeps libev from including F<config.h>, and it also defines dummy
3612implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not 4568implementations for some libevent functions (such as logging, which is not
3613supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in 4569supported). It will also not define any of the structs usually found in
3614F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone. 4570F<event.h> that are not directly supported by the libev core alone.
3615 4571
3616In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the 4572In standalone mode, libev will still try to automatically deduce the
3617configuration, but has to be more conservative. 4573configuration, but has to be more conservative.
4574
4575=item EV_USE_FLOOR
4576
4577If defined to be C<1>, libev will use the C<floor ()> function for its
4578periodic reschedule calculations, otherwise libev will fall back on a
4579portable (slower) implementation. If you enable this, you usually have to
4580link against libm or something equivalent. Enabling this when the C<floor>
4581function is not available will fail, so the safe default is to not enable
4582this.
3618 4583
3619=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC 4584=item EV_USE_MONOTONIC
3620 4585
3621If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the 4586If defined to be C<1>, libev will try to detect the availability of the
3622monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no 4587monotonic clock option at both compile time and runtime. Otherwise no
3659available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve 4624available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
3660C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption. 4625C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
3661If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 4626If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
36622.7 or newer, otherwise disabled. 46272.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3663 4628
4629=item EV_USE_SIGNALFD
4630
4631If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<signalfd ()> is
4632available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This enables
4633the use of EVFLAG_SIGNALFD for faster and simpler signal handling. If
4634undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
46352.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4636
4637=item EV_USE_TIMERFD
4638
4639If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<timerfd ()> is
4640available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This allows
4641libev to detect time jumps accurately. If undefined, it will be enabled
4642if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.8 or newer and define
4643C<TFD_TIMER_CANCEL_ON_SET>, otherwise disabled.
4644
4645=item EV_USE_EVENTFD
4646
4647If defined to be C<1>, then libev will assume that C<eventfd ()> is
4648available and will probe for kernel support at runtime. This will improve
4649C<ev_signal> and C<ev_async> performance and reduce resource consumption.
4650If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc
46512.7 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4652
3664=item EV_USE_SELECT 4653=item EV_USE_SELECT
3665 4654
3666If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the 4655If undefined or defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the
3667C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no 4656C<select>(2) backend. No attempt at auto-detection will be done: if no
3668other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend 4657other method takes over, select will be it. Otherwise the select backend
3708If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this 4697If programs implement their own fd to handle mapping on win32, then this
3709macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister 4698macro can be used to override the C<close> function, useful to unregister
3710file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close 4699file descriptors again. Note that the replacement function has to close
3711the underlying OS handle. 4700the underlying OS handle.
3712 4701
4702=item EV_USE_WSASOCKET
4703
4704If defined to be C<1>, libev will use C<WSASocket> to create its internal
4705communication socket, which works better in some environments. Otherwise,
4706the normal C<socket> function will be used, which works better in other
4707environments.
4708
3713=item EV_USE_POLL 4709=item EV_USE_POLL
3714 4710
3715If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2) 4711If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the C<poll>(2)
3716backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It 4712backend. Otherwise it will be enabled on non-win32 platforms. It
3717takes precedence over select. 4713takes precedence over select.
3721If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux 4717If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
3722C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime, 4718C<epoll>(7) backend. Its availability will be detected at runtime,
3723otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred 4719otherwise another method will be used as fallback. This is the preferred
3724backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the 4720backend for GNU/Linux systems. If undefined, it will be enabled if the
3725headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4721headers indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
4722
4723=item EV_USE_LINUXAIO
4724
4725If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux aio
4726backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). If undefined, it will be
4727enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
4728
4729=item EV_USE_IOURING
4730
4731If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux
4732io_uring backend (C<EV_USE_EPOLL> must also be enabled). Due to it's
4733current limitations it has to be requested explicitly. If undefined, it
4734will be enabled on linux, otherwise disabled.
3726 4735
3727=item EV_USE_KQUEUE 4736=item EV_USE_KQUEUE
3728 4737
3729If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style 4738If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the BSD style
3730C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime, 4739C<kqueue>(2) backend. Its actual availability will be detected at runtime,
3752If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify 4761If defined to be C<1>, libev will compile in support for the Linux inotify
3753interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will 4762interface to speed up C<ev_stat> watchers. Its actual availability will
3754be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers 4763be detected at runtime. If undefined, it will be enabled if the headers
3755indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled. 4764indicate GNU/Linux + Glibc 2.4 or newer, otherwise disabled.
3756 4765
4766=item EV_NO_SMP
4767
4768If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that memory is always coherent
4769between threads, that is, threads can be used, but threads never run on
4770different cpus (or different cpu cores). This reduces dependencies
4771and makes libev faster.
4772
4773=item EV_NO_THREADS
4774
4775If defined to be C<1>, libev will assume that it will never be called from
4776different threads (that includes signal handlers), which is a stronger
4777assumption than C<EV_NO_SMP>, above. This reduces dependencies and makes
4778libev faster.
4779
3757=item EV_ATOMIC_T 4780=item EV_ATOMIC_T
3758 4781
3759Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose 4782Libev requires an integer type (suitable for storing C<0> or C<1>) whose
3760access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No such 4783access is atomic with respect to other threads or signal contexts. No
3761type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own type 4784such type is easily found in the C language, so you can provide your own
3762that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal handler "locking" 4785type that you know is safe for your purposes. It is used both for signal
3763as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async> watchers. 4786handler "locking" as well as for signal and thread safety in C<ev_async>
4787watchers.
3764 4788
3765In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile> 4789In the absence of this define, libev will use C<sig_atomic_t volatile>
3766(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms. 4790(from F<signal.h>), which is usually good enough on most platforms.
3767 4791
3768=item EV_H 4792=item EV_H (h)
3769 4793
3770The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if 4794The name of the F<ev.h> header file used to include it. The default if
3771undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be 4795undefined is C<"ev.h"> in F<event.h>, F<ev.c> and F<ev++.h>. This can be
3772used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts. 4796used to virtually rename the F<ev.h> header file in case of conflicts.
3773 4797
3774=item EV_CONFIG_H 4798=item EV_CONFIG_H (h)
3775 4799
3776If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override 4800If C<EV_STANDALONE> isn't C<1>, this variable can be used to override
3777F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to 4801F<ev.c>'s idea of where to find the F<config.h> file, similarly to
3778C<EV_H>, above. 4802C<EV_H>, above.
3779 4803
3780=item EV_EVENT_H 4804=item EV_EVENT_H (h)
3781 4805
3782Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea 4806Similarly to C<EV_H>, this macro can be used to override F<event.c>'s idea
3783of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">. 4807of how the F<event.h> header can be found, the default is C<"event.h">.
3784 4808
3785=item EV_PROTOTYPES 4809=item EV_PROTOTYPES (h)
3786 4810
3787If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function 4811If defined to be C<0>, then F<ev.h> will not define any function
3788prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is 4812prototypes, but still define all the structs and other symbols. This is
3789occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions 4813occasionally useful if you want to provide your own wrapper functions
3790around libev functions. 4814around libev functions.
3795will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create 4819will have the C<struct ev_loop *> as first argument, and you can create
3796additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support 4820additional independent event loops. Otherwise there will be no support
3797for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer 4821for multiple event loops and there is no first event loop pointer
3798argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop. 4822argument. Instead, all functions act on the single default loop.
3799 4823
4824Note that C<EV_DEFAULT> and C<EV_DEFAULT_> will no longer provide a
4825default loop when multiplicity is switched off - you always have to
4826initialise the loop manually in this case.
4827
3800=item EV_MINPRI 4828=item EV_MINPRI
3801 4829
3802=item EV_MAXPRI 4830=item EV_MAXPRI
3803 4831
3804The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to 4832The range of allowed priorities. C<EV_MINPRI> must be smaller or equal to
3812fine. 4840fine.
3813 4841
3814If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these 4842If your embedding application does not need any priorities, defining these
3815both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU. 4843both to C<0> will save some memory and CPU.
3816 4844
3817=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 4845=item EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE, EV_IDLE_ENABLE, EV_EMBED_ENABLE, EV_STAT_ENABLE,
4846EV_PREPARE_ENABLE, EV_CHECK_ENABLE, EV_FORK_ENABLE, EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE,
4847EV_ASYNC_ENABLE, EV_CHILD_ENABLE.
3818 4848
3819If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then periodic timers are supported. If 4849If undefined or defined to be C<1> (and the platform supports it), then
3820defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of 4850the respective watcher type is supported. If defined to be C<0>, then it
3821code. 4851is not. Disabling watcher types mainly saves code size.
3822 4852
3823=item EV_IDLE_ENABLE 4853=item EV_FEATURES
3824
3825If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then idle watchers are supported. If
3826defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Disabling them saves a few kB of
3827code.
3828
3829=item EV_EMBED_ENABLE
3830
3831If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then embed watchers are supported. If
3832defined to be C<0>, then they are not. Embed watchers rely on most other
3833watcher types, which therefore must not be disabled.
3834
3835=item EV_STAT_ENABLE
3836
3837If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then stat watchers are supported. If
3838defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3839
3840=item EV_FORK_ENABLE
3841
3842If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then fork watchers are supported. If
3843defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3844
3845=item EV_ASYNC_ENABLE
3846
3847If undefined or defined to be C<1>, then async watchers are supported. If
3848defined to be C<0>, then they are not.
3849
3850=item EV_MINIMAL
3851 4854
3852If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some 4855If you need to shave off some kilobytes of code at the expense of some
3853speed (but with the full API), define this symbol to C<1>. Currently this 4856speed (but with the full API), you can define this symbol to request
3854is used to override some inlining decisions, saves roughly 30% code size 4857certain subsets of functionality. The default is to enable all features
3855on amd64. It also selects a much smaller 2-heap for timer management over 4858that can be enabled on the platform.
3856the default 4-heap.
3857 4859
3858You can save even more by disabling watcher types you do not need 4860A typical way to use this symbol is to define it to C<0> (or to a bitset
3859and setting C<EV_MAXPRI> == C<EV_MINPRI>. Also, disabling C<assert> 4861with some broad features you want) and then selectively re-enable
3860(C<-DNDEBUG>) will usually reduce code size a lot. 4862additional parts you want, for example if you want everything minimal,
4863but multiple event loop support, async and child watchers and the poll
4864backend, use this:
3861 4865
3862Defining C<EV_MINIMAL> to C<2> will additionally reduce the core API to 4866 #define EV_FEATURES 0
3863provide a bare-bones event library. See C<ev.h> for details on what parts 4867 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 1
3864of the API are still available, and do not complain if this subset changes 4868 #define EV_USE_POLL 1
3865over time. 4869 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
4870 #define EV_ASYNC_ENABLE 1
4871
4872The actual value is a bitset, it can be a combination of the following
4873values (by default, all of these are enabled):
4874
4875=over 4
4876
4877=item C<1> - faster/larger code
4878
4879Use larger code to speed up some operations.
4880
4881Currently this is used to override some inlining decisions (enlarging the
4882code size by roughly 30% on amd64).
4883
4884When optimising for size, use of compiler flags such as C<-Os> with
4885gcc is recommended, as well as C<-DNDEBUG>, as libev contains a number of
4886assertions.
4887
4888The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4889(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4890
4891=item C<2> - faster/larger data structures
4892
4893Replaces the small 2-heap for timer management by a faster 4-heap, larger
4894hash table sizes and so on. This will usually further increase code size
4895and can additionally have an effect on the size of data structures at
4896runtime.
4897
4898The default is off when C<__OPTIMIZE_SIZE__> is defined by your compiler
4899(e.g. gcc with C<-Os>).
4900
4901=item C<4> - full API configuration
4902
4903This enables priorities (sets C<EV_MAXPRI>=2 and C<EV_MINPRI>=-2), and
4904enables multiplicity (C<EV_MULTIPLICITY>=1).
4905
4906=item C<8> - full API
4907
4908This enables a lot of the "lesser used" API functions. See C<ev.h> for
4909details on which parts of the API are still available without this
4910feature, and do not complain if this subset changes over time.
4911
4912=item C<16> - enable all optional watcher types
4913
4914Enables all optional watcher types. If you want to selectively enable
4915only some watcher types other than I/O and timers (e.g. prepare,
4916embed, async, child...) you can enable them manually by defining
4917C<EV_watchertype_ENABLE> to C<1> instead.
4918
4919=item C<32> - enable all backends
4920
4921This enables all backends - without this feature, you need to enable at
4922least one backend manually (C<EV_USE_SELECT> is a good choice).
4923
4924=item C<64> - enable OS-specific "helper" APIs
4925
4926Enable inotify, eventfd, signalfd and similar OS-specific helper APIs by
4927default.
4928
4929=back
4930
4931Compiling with C<gcc -Os -DEV_STANDALONE -DEV_USE_EPOLL=1 -DEV_FEATURES=0>
4932reduces the compiled size of libev from 24.7Kb code/2.8Kb data to 6.5Kb
4933code/0.3Kb data on my GNU/Linux amd64 system, while still giving you I/O
4934watchers, timers and monotonic clock support.
4935
4936With an intelligent-enough linker (gcc+binutils are intelligent enough
4937when you use C<-Wl,--gc-sections -ffunction-sections>) functions unused by
4938your program might be left out as well - a binary starting a timer and an
4939I/O watcher then might come out at only 5Kb.
4940
4941=item EV_API_STATIC
4942
4943If this symbol is defined (by default it is not), then all identifiers
4944will have static linkage. This means that libev will not export any
4945identifiers, and you cannot link against libev anymore. This can be useful
4946when you embed libev, only want to use libev functions in a single file,
4947and do not want its identifiers to be visible.
4948
4949To use this, define C<EV_API_STATIC> and include F<ev.c> in the file that
4950wants to use libev.
4951
4952This option only works when libev is compiled with a C compiler, as C++
4953doesn't support the required declaration syntax.
4954
4955=item EV_AVOID_STDIO
4956
4957If this is set to C<1> at compiletime, then libev will avoid using stdio
4958functions (printf, scanf, perror etc.). This will increase the code size
4959somewhat, but if your program doesn't otherwise depend on stdio and your
4960libc allows it, this avoids linking in the stdio library which is quite
4961big.
4962
4963Note that error messages might become less precise when this option is
4964enabled.
3866 4965
3867=item EV_NSIG 4966=item EV_NSIG
3868 4967
3869The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of 4968The highest supported signal number, +1 (or, the number of
3870signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals 4969signals): Normally, libev tries to deduce the maximum number of signals
3871automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be 4970automatically, but sometimes this fails, in which case it can be
3872specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be 4971specified. Also, using a lower number than detected (C<32> should be
3873good for about any system in existance) can save some memory, as libev 4972good for about any system in existence) can save some memory, as libev
3874statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number. 4973statically allocates some 12-24 bytes per signal number.
3875 4974
3876=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE 4975=item EV_PID_HASHSIZE
3877 4976
3878C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4977C<ev_child> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3879pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), usually more 4978pid. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES> disabled),
3880than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you might want to 4979usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of children you
3881increase this value (I<must> be a power of two). 4980might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of two).
3882 4981
3883=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE 4982=item EV_INOTIFY_HASHSIZE
3884 4983
3885C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by 4984C<ev_stat> watchers use a small hash table to distribute workload by
3886inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_MINIMAL>), 4985inotify watch id. The default size is C<16> (or C<1> with C<EV_FEATURES>
3887usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of C<ev_stat> 4986disabled), usually more than enough. If you need to manage thousands of
3888watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a power of 4987C<ev_stat> watchers you might want to increase this value (I<must> be a
3889two). 4988power of two).
3890 4989
3891=item EV_USE_4HEAP 4990=item EV_USE_4HEAP
3892 4991
3893Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 4992Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3894timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined 4993timer and periodics heaps, libev uses a 4-heap when this symbol is defined
3895to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably 4994to C<1>. The 4-heap uses more complicated (longer) code but has noticeably
3896faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers. 4995faster performance with many (thousands) of watchers.
3897 4996
3898The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 4997The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3899(disabled). 4998will be C<0>.
3900 4999
3901=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT 5000=item EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT
3902 5001
3903Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the 5002Heaps are not very cache-efficient. To improve the cache-efficiency of the
3904timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within 5003timer and periodics heaps, libev can cache the timestamp (I<at>) within
3905the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>), 5004the heap structure (selected by defining C<EV_HEAP_CACHE_AT> to C<1>),
3906which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code, 5005which uses 8-12 bytes more per watcher and a few hundred bytes more code,
3907but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance 5006but avoids random read accesses on heap changes. This improves performance
3908noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers. 5007noticeably with many (hundreds) of watchers.
3909 5008
3910The default is C<1> unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set in which case it is C<0> 5009The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3911(disabled). 5010will be C<0>.
3912 5011
3913=item EV_VERIFY 5012=item EV_VERIFY
3914 5013
3915Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_loop_verify ()>) will 5014Controls how much internal verification (see C<ev_verify ()>) will
3916be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled 5015be done: If set to C<0>, no internal verification code will be compiled
3917in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not 5016in. If set to C<1>, then verification code will be compiled in, but not
3918called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be 5017called. If set to C<2>, then the internal verification code will be
3919called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the 5018called once per loop, which can slow down libev. If set to C<3>, then the
3920verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down 5019verification code will be called very frequently, which will slow down
3921libev considerably. 5020libev considerably.
3922 5021
5022Verification errors are reported via C's C<assert> mechanism, so if you
5023disable that (e.g. by defining C<NDEBUG>) then no errors will be reported.
5024
3923The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_MINIMAL> is set, in which case it will be 5025The default is C<1>, unless C<EV_FEATURES> overrides it, in which case it
3924C<0>. 5026will be C<0>.
3925 5027
3926=item EV_COMMON 5028=item EV_COMMON
3927 5029
3928By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining 5030By default, all watchers have a C<void *data> member. By redefining
3929this macro to a something else you can include more and other types of 5031this macro to something else you can include more and other types of
3930members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files, 5032members. You have to define it each time you include one of the files,
3931though, and it must be identical each time. 5033though, and it must be identical each time.
3932 5034
3933For example, the perl EV module uses something like this: 5035For example, the perl EV module uses something like this:
3934 5036
3987file. 5089file.
3988 5090
3989The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file 5091The usage in rxvt-unicode is simpler. It has a F<ev_cpp.h> header file
3990that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices: 5092that everybody includes and which overrides some configure choices:
3991 5093
3992 #define EV_MINIMAL 1 5094 #define EV_FEATURES 8
3993 #define EV_USE_POLL 0 5095 #define EV_USE_SELECT 1
3994 #define EV_MULTIPLICITY 0
3995 #define EV_PERIODIC_ENABLE 0 5096 #define EV_PREPARE_ENABLE 1
5097 #define EV_IDLE_ENABLE 1
3996 #define EV_STAT_ENABLE 0 5098 #define EV_SIGNAL_ENABLE 1
3997 #define EV_FORK_ENABLE 0 5099 #define EV_CHILD_ENABLE 1
5100 #define EV_USE_STDEXCEPT 0
3998 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h> 5101 #define EV_CONFIG_H <config.h>
3999 #define EV_MINPRI 0
4000 #define EV_MAXPRI 0
4001 5102
4002 #include "ev++.h" 5103 #include "ev++.h"
4003 5104
4004And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled: 5105And a F<ev_cpp.C> implementation file that contains libev proper and is compiled:
4005 5106
4006 #include "ev_cpp.h" 5107 #include "ev_cpp.h"
4007 #include "ev.c" 5108 #include "ev.c"
4008 5109
4009=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS OR LIBRARIES 5110=head1 INTERACTION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT
4010 5111
4011=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES 5112=head2 THREADS AND COROUTINES
4012 5113
4013=head3 THREADS 5114=head3 THREADS
4014 5115
4065default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop 5166default loop and triggering an C<ev_async> watcher from the default loop
4066watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal. 5167watcher callback into the event loop interested in the signal.
4067 5168
4068=back 5169=back
4069 5170
4070=head4 THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE 5171See also L</THREAD LOCKING EXAMPLE>.
4071
4072Here is a fictitious example of how to run an event loop in a different
4073thread than where callbacks are being invoked and watchers are
4074created/added/removed.
4075
4076For a real-world example, see the C<EV::Loop::Async> perl module,
4077which uses exactly this technique (which is suited for many high-level
4078languages).
4079
4080The example uses a pthread mutex to protect the loop data, a condition
4081variable to wait for callback invocations, an async watcher to notify the
4082event loop thread and an unspecified mechanism to wake up the main thread.
4083
4084First, you need to associate some data with the event loop:
4085
4086 typedef struct {
4087 mutex_t lock; /* global loop lock */
4088 ev_async async_w;
4089 thread_t tid;
4090 cond_t invoke_cv;
4091 } userdata;
4092
4093 void prepare_loop (EV_P)
4094 {
4095 // for simplicity, we use a static userdata struct.
4096 static userdata u;
4097
4098 ev_async_init (&u->async_w, async_cb);
4099 ev_async_start (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4100
4101 pthread_mutex_init (&u->lock, 0);
4102 pthread_cond_init (&u->invoke_cv, 0);
4103
4104 // now associate this with the loop
4105 ev_set_userdata (EV_A_ u);
4106 ev_set_invoke_pending_cb (EV_A_ l_invoke);
4107 ev_set_loop_release_cb (EV_A_ l_release, l_acquire);
4108
4109 // then create the thread running ev_loop
4110 pthread_create (&u->tid, 0, l_run, EV_A);
4111 }
4112
4113The callback for the C<ev_async> watcher does nothing: the watcher is used
4114solely to wake up the event loop so it takes notice of any new watchers
4115that might have been added:
4116
4117 static void
4118 async_cb (EV_P_ ev_async *w, int revents)
4119 {
4120 // just used for the side effects
4121 }
4122
4123The C<l_release> and C<l_acquire> callbacks simply unlock/lock the mutex
4124protecting the loop data, respectively.
4125
4126 static void
4127 l_release (EV_P)
4128 {
4129 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4130 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4131 }
4132
4133 static void
4134 l_acquire (EV_P)
4135 {
4136 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4137 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4138 }
4139
4140The event loop thread first acquires the mutex, and then jumps straight
4141into C<ev_loop>:
4142
4143 void *
4144 l_run (void *thr_arg)
4145 {
4146 struct ev_loop *loop = (struct ev_loop *)thr_arg;
4147
4148 l_acquire (EV_A);
4149 pthread_setcanceltype (PTHREAD_CANCEL_ASYNCHRONOUS, 0);
4150 ev_loop (EV_A_ 0);
4151 l_release (EV_A);
4152
4153 return 0;
4154 }
4155
4156Instead of invoking all pending watchers, the C<l_invoke> callback will
4157signal the main thread via some unspecified mechanism (signals? pipe
4158writes? C<Async::Interrupt>?) and then waits until all pending watchers
4159have been called (in a while loop because a) spurious wakeups are possible
4160and b) skipping inter-thread-communication when there are no pending
4161watchers is very beneficial):
4162
4163 static void
4164 l_invoke (EV_P)
4165 {
4166 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4167
4168 while (ev_pending_count (EV_A))
4169 {
4170 wake_up_other_thread_in_some_magic_or_not_so_magic_way ();
4171 pthread_cond_wait (&u->invoke_cv, &u->lock);
4172 }
4173 }
4174
4175Now, whenever the main thread gets told to invoke pending watchers, it
4176will grab the lock, call C<ev_invoke_pending> and then signal the loop
4177thread to continue:
4178
4179 static void
4180 real_invoke_pending (EV_P)
4181 {
4182 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4183
4184 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4185 ev_invoke_pending (EV_A);
4186 pthread_cond_signal (&u->invoke_cv);
4187 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4188 }
4189
4190Whenever you want to start/stop a watcher or do other modifications to an
4191event loop, you will now have to lock:
4192
4193 ev_timer timeout_watcher;
4194 userdata *u = ev_userdata (EV_A);
4195
4196 ev_timer_init (&timeout_watcher, timeout_cb, 5.5, 0.);
4197
4198 pthread_mutex_lock (&u->lock);
4199 ev_timer_start (EV_A_ &timeout_watcher);
4200 ev_async_send (EV_A_ &u->async_w);
4201 pthread_mutex_unlock (&u->lock);
4202
4203Note that sending the C<ev_async> watcher is required because otherwise
4204an event loop currently blocking in the kernel will have no knowledge
4205about the newly added timer. By waking up the loop it will pick up any new
4206watchers in the next event loop iteration.
4207 5172
4208=head3 COROUTINES 5173=head3 COROUTINES
4209 5174
4210Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"): 5175Libev is very accommodating to coroutines ("cooperative threads"):
4211libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different 5176libev fully supports nesting calls to its functions from different
4212coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_loop> on the same loop from two 5177coroutines (e.g. you can call C<ev_run> on the same loop from two
4213different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running 5178different coroutines, and switch freely between both coroutines running
4214the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is 5179the loop, as long as you don't confuse yourself). The only exception is
4215that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks. 5180that you must not do this from C<ev_periodic> reschedule callbacks.
4216 5181
4217Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside 5182Care has been taken to ensure that libev does not keep local state inside
4218C<ev_loop>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as 5183C<ev_run>, and other calls do not usually allow for coroutine switches as
4219they do not call any callbacks. 5184they do not call any callbacks.
4220 5185
4221=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS 5186=head2 COMPILER WARNINGS
4222 5187
4223Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a 5188Depending on your compiler and compiler settings, you might get no or a
4234maintainable. 5199maintainable.
4235 5200
4236And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply 5201And of course, some compiler warnings are just plain stupid, or simply
4237wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message 5202wrong (because they don't actually warn about the condition their message
4238seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some 5203seems to warn about). For example, certain older gcc versions had some
4239warnings that resulted an extreme number of false positives. These have 5204warnings that resulted in an extreme number of false positives. These have
4240been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with 5205been fixed, but some people still insist on making code warn-free with
4241such buggy versions. 5206such buggy versions.
4242 5207
4243While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible, 5208While libev is written to generate as few warnings as possible,
4244"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev 5209"warn-free" code is not a goal, and it is recommended not to build libev
4280I suggest using suppression lists. 5245I suggest using suppression lists.
4281 5246
4282 5247
4283=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES 5248=head1 PORTABILITY NOTES
4284 5249
5250=head2 GNU/LINUX 32 BIT LIMITATIONS
5251
5252GNU/Linux is the only common platform that supports 64 bit file/large file
5253interfaces but I<disables> them by default.
5254
5255That means that libev compiled in the default environment doesn't support
5256files larger than 2GiB or so, which mainly affects C<ev_stat> watchers.
5257
5258Unfortunately, many programs try to work around this GNU/Linux issue
5259by enabling the large file API, which makes them incompatible with the
5260standard libev compiled for their system.
5261
5262Likewise, libev cannot enable the large file API itself as this would
5263suddenly make it incompatible to the default compile time environment,
5264i.e. all programs not using special compile switches.
5265
5266=head2 OS/X AND DARWIN BUGS
5267
5268The whole thing is a bug if you ask me - basically any system interface
5269you touch is broken, whether it is locales, poll, kqueue or even the
5270OpenGL drivers.
5271
5272=head3 C<kqueue> is buggy
5273
5274The kqueue syscall is broken in all known versions - most versions support
5275only sockets, many support pipes.
5276
5277Libev tries to work around this by not using C<kqueue> by default on this
5278rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating a
5279loop - embedding a socket-only kqueue loop into a select-based one is
5280probably going to work well.
5281
5282=head3 C<poll> is buggy
5283
5284Instead of fixing C<kqueue>, Apple replaced their (working) C<poll>
5285implementation by something calling C<kqueue> internally around the 10.5.6
5286release, so now C<kqueue> I<and> C<poll> are broken.
5287
5288Libev tries to work around this by not using C<poll> by default on
5289this rotten platform, but of course you can still ask for it when creating
5290a loop.
5291
5292=head3 C<select> is buggy
5293
5294All that's left is C<select>, and of course Apple found a way to fuck this
5295one up as well: On OS/X, C<select> actively limits the number of file
5296descriptors you can pass in to 1024 - your program suddenly crashes when
5297you use more.
5298
5299There is an undocumented "workaround" for this - defining
5300C<_DARWIN_UNLIMITED_SELECT>, which libev tries to use, so select I<should>
5301work on OS/X.
5302
5303=head2 SOLARIS PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS
5304
5305=head3 C<errno> reentrancy
5306
5307The default compile environment on Solaris is unfortunately so
5308thread-unsafe that you can't even use components/libraries compiled
5309without C<-D_REENTRANT> in a threaded program, which, of course, isn't
5310defined by default. A valid, if stupid, implementation choice.
5311
5312If you want to use libev in threaded environments you have to make sure
5313it's compiled with C<_REENTRANT> defined.
5314
5315=head3 Event port backend
5316
5317The scalable event interface for Solaris is called "event
5318ports". Unfortunately, this mechanism is very buggy in all major
5319releases. If you run into high CPU usage, your program freezes or you get
5320a large number of spurious wakeups, make sure you have all the relevant
5321and latest kernel patches applied. No, I don't know which ones, but there
5322are multiple ones to apply, and afterwards, event ports actually work
5323great.
5324
5325If you can't get it to work, you can try running the program by setting
5326the environment variable C<LIBEV_FLAGS=3> to only allow C<poll> and
5327C<select> backends.
5328
5329=head2 AIX POLL BUG
5330
5331AIX unfortunately has a broken C<poll.h> header. Libev works around
5332this by trying to avoid the poll backend altogether (i.e. it's not even
5333compiled in), which normally isn't a big problem as C<select> works fine
5334with large bitsets on AIX, and AIX is dead anyway.
5335
4285=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS 5336=head2 WIN32 PLATFORM LIMITATIONS AND WORKAROUNDS
5337
5338=head3 General issues
4286 5339
4287Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev 5340Win32 doesn't support any of the standards (e.g. POSIX) that libev
4288requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX 5341requires, and its I/O model is fundamentally incompatible with the POSIX
4289model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in 5342model. Libev still offers limited functionality on this platform in
4290the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket 5343the form of the C<EVBACKEND_SELECT> backend, and only supports socket
4291descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using 5344descriptors. This only applies when using Win32 natively, not when using
4292e.g. cygwin. 5345e.g. cygwin. Actually, it only applies to the microsofts own compilers,
5346as every compiler comes with a slightly differently broken/incompatible
5347environment.
4293 5348
4294Lifting these limitations would basically require the full 5349Lifting these limitations would basically require the full
4295re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into these kinds of 5350re-implementation of the I/O system. If you are into this kind of thing,
4296things, then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable 5351then note that glib does exactly that for you in a very portable way (note
4297way (note also that glib is the slowest event library known to man). 5352also that glib is the slowest event library known to man).
4298 5353
4299There is no supported compilation method available on windows except 5354There is no supported compilation method available on windows except
4300embedding it into other applications. 5355embedding it into other applications.
4301 5356
4302Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev 5357Sensible signal handling is officially unsupported by Microsoft - libev
4330you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!): 5385you do I<not> compile the F<ev.c> or any other embedded source files!):
4331 5386
4332 #include "evwrap.h" 5387 #include "evwrap.h"
4333 #include "ev.c" 5388 #include "ev.c"
4334 5389
4335=over 4
4336
4337=item The winsocket select function 5390=head3 The winsocket C<select> function
4338 5391
4339The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it 5392The winsocket C<select> function doesn't follow POSIX in that it
4340requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is 5393requires socket I<handles> and not socket I<file descriptors> (it is
4341also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also 5394also extremely buggy). This makes select very inefficient, and also
4342requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft 5395requires a mapping from file descriptors to socket handles (the Microsoft
4351 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */ 5404 #define EV_SELECT_IS_WINSOCKET 1 /* forces EV_SELECT_USE_FD_SET, too */
4352 5405
4353Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a 5406Note that winsockets handling of fd sets is O(n), so you can easily get a
4354complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32. 5407complexity in the O(n²) range when using win32.
4355 5408
4356=item Limited number of file descriptors 5409=head3 Limited number of file descriptors
4357 5410
4358Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things. 5411Windows has numerous arbitrary (and low) limits on things.
4359 5412
4360Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum 5413Early versions of winsocket's select only supported waiting for a maximum
4361of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels 5414of C<64> handles (probably owning to the fact that all windows kernels
4376runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets 5429runtime libraries. This might get you to about C<512> or C<2048> sockets
4377(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more, 5430(depending on windows version and/or the phase of the moon). To get more,
4378you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but 5431you need to wrap all I/O functions and provide your own fd management, but
4379the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable. 5432the cost of calling select (O(n²)) will likely make this unworkable.
4380 5433
4381=back
4382
4383=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS 5434=head2 PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
4384 5435
4385In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the 5436In addition to a working ISO-C implementation and of course the
4386backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions: 5437backend-specific APIs, libev relies on a few additional extensions:
4387 5438
4393Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal 5444Libev assumes not only that all watcher pointers have the same internal
4394structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also 5445structure (guaranteed by POSIX but not by ISO C for example), but it also
4395assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher 5446assumes that the same (machine) code can be used to call any watcher
4396callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev 5447callback: The watcher callbacks have different type signatures, but libev
4397calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally. 5448calls them using an C<ev_watcher *> internally.
5449
5450=item null pointers and integer zero are represented by 0 bytes
5451
5452Libev uses C<memset> to initialise structs and arrays to C<0> bytes, and
5453relies on this setting pointers and integers to null.
5454
5455=item pointer accesses must be thread-atomic
5456
5457Accessing a pointer value must be atomic, it must both be readable and
5458writable in one piece - this is the case on all current architectures.
4398 5459
4399=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well 5460=item C<sig_atomic_t volatile> must be thread-atomic as well
4400 5461
4401The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as 5462The type C<sig_atomic_t volatile> (or whatever is defined as
4402C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different 5463C<EV_ATOMIC_T>) must be atomic with respect to accesses from different
4411thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would 5472thread" or will block signals process-wide, both behaviours would
4412be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and 5473be compatible with libev. Interaction between C<sigprocmask> and
4413C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however. 5474C<pthread_sigmask> could complicate things, however.
4414 5475
4415The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads 5476The most portable way to handle signals is to block signals in all threads
4416except the initial one, and run the default loop in the initial thread as 5477except the initial one, and run the signal handling loop in the initial
4417well. 5478thread as well.
4418 5479
4419=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes 5480=item C<long> must be large enough for common memory allocation sizes
4420 5481
4421To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally 5482To improve portability and simplify its API, libev uses C<long> internally
4422instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX 5483instead of C<size_t> when allocating its data structures. On non-POSIX
4425watchers. 5486watchers.
4426 5487
4427=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy 5488=item C<double> must hold a time value in seconds with enough accuracy
4428 5489
4429The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to 5490The type C<double> is used to represent timestamps. It is required to
4430have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is good 5491have at least 51 bits of mantissa (and 9 bits of exponent), which is
4431enough for at least into the year 4000. This requirement is fulfilled by 5492good enough for at least into the year 4000 with millisecond accuracy
5493(the design goal for libev). This requirement is overfulfilled by
4432implementations implementing IEEE 754, which is basically all existing 5494implementations using IEEE 754, which is basically all existing ones.
5495
4433ones. With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least 5496With IEEE 754 doubles, you get microsecond accuracy until at least the
44342200. 5497year 2255 (and millisecond accuracy till the year 287396 - by then, libev
5498is either obsolete or somebody patched it to use C<long double> or
5499something like that, just kidding).
4435 5500
4436=back 5501=back
4437 5502
4438If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note. 5503If you know of other additional requirements drop me a note.
4439 5504
4501=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers) 5566=item Processing ev_async_send: O(number_of_async_watchers)
4502 5567
4503=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number) 5568=item Processing signals: O(max_signal_number)
4504 5569
4505Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send> 5570Sending involves a system call I<iff> there were no other C<ev_async_send>
4506calls in the current loop iteration. Checking for async and signal events 5571calls in the current loop iteration and the loop is currently
5572blocked. Checking for async and signal events involves iterating over all
4507involves iterating over all running async watchers or all signal numbers. 5573running async watchers or all signal numbers.
4508 5574
4509=back 5575=back
4510 5576
4511 5577
5578=head1 PORTING FROM LIBEV 3.X TO 4.X
5579
5580The major version 4 introduced some incompatible changes to the API.
5581
5582At the moment, the C<ev.h> header file provides compatibility definitions
5583for all changes, so most programs should still compile. The compatibility
5584layer might be removed in later versions of libev, so better update to the
5585new API early than late.
5586
5587=over 4
5588
5589=item C<EV_COMPAT3> backwards compatibility mechanism
5590
5591The backward compatibility mechanism can be controlled by
5592C<EV_COMPAT3>. See L</"PREPROCESSOR SYMBOLS/MACROS"> in the L</EMBEDDING>
5593section.
5594
5595=item C<ev_default_destroy> and C<ev_default_fork> have been removed
5596
5597These calls can be replaced easily by their C<ev_loop_xxx> counterparts:
5598
5599 ev_loop_destroy (EV_DEFAULT_UC);
5600 ev_loop_fork (EV_DEFAULT);
5601
5602=item function/symbol renames
5603
5604A number of functions and symbols have been renamed:
5605
5606 ev_loop => ev_run
5607 EVLOOP_NONBLOCK => EVRUN_NOWAIT
5608 EVLOOP_ONESHOT => EVRUN_ONCE
5609
5610 ev_unloop => ev_break
5611 EVUNLOOP_CANCEL => EVBREAK_CANCEL
5612 EVUNLOOP_ONE => EVBREAK_ONE
5613 EVUNLOOP_ALL => EVBREAK_ALL
5614
5615 EV_TIMEOUT => EV_TIMER
5616
5617 ev_loop_count => ev_iteration
5618 ev_loop_depth => ev_depth
5619 ev_loop_verify => ev_verify
5620
5621Most functions working on C<struct ev_loop> objects don't have an
5622C<ev_loop_> prefix, so it was removed; C<ev_loop>, C<ev_unloop> and
5623associated constants have been renamed to not collide with the C<struct
5624ev_loop> anymore and C<EV_TIMER> now follows the same naming scheme
5625as all other watcher types. Note that C<ev_loop_fork> is still called
5626C<ev_loop_fork> because it would otherwise clash with the C<ev_fork>
5627typedef.
5628
5629=item C<EV_MINIMAL> mechanism replaced by C<EV_FEATURES>
5630
5631The preprocessor symbol C<EV_MINIMAL> has been replaced by a different
5632mechanism, C<EV_FEATURES>. Programs using C<EV_MINIMAL> usually compile
5633and work, but the library code will of course be larger.
5634
5635=back
5636
5637
4512=head1 GLOSSARY 5638=head1 GLOSSARY
4513 5639
4514=over 4 5640=over 4
4515 5641
4516=item active 5642=item active
4517 5643
4518A watcher is active as long as it has been started (has been attached to 5644A watcher is active as long as it has been started and not yet stopped.
4519an event loop) but not yet stopped (disassociated from the event loop). 5645See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
4520 5646
4521=item application 5647=item application
4522 5648
4523In this document, an application is whatever is using libev. 5649In this document, an application is whatever is using libev.
5650
5651=item backend
5652
5653The part of the code dealing with the operating system interfaces.
4524 5654
4525=item callback 5655=item callback
4526 5656
4527The address of a function that is called when some event has been 5657The address of a function that is called when some event has been
4528detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that 5658detected. Callbacks are being passed the event loop, the watcher that
4529received the event, and the actual event bitset. 5659received the event, and the actual event bitset.
4530 5660
4531=item callback invocation 5661=item callback/watcher invocation
4532 5662
4533The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher. 5663The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4534 5664
4535=item event 5665=item event
4536 5666
4537A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available 5667A change of state of some external event, such as data now being available
4538for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having 5668for reading on a file descriptor, time having passed or simply not having
4539any other events happening anymore. 5669any other events happening anymore.
4540 5670
4541In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or 5671In libev, events are represented as single bits (such as C<EV_READ> or
4542C<EV_TIMEOUT>). 5672C<EV_TIMER>).
4543 5673
4544=item event library 5674=item event library
4545 5675
4546A software package implementing an event model and loop. 5676A software package implementing an event model and loop.
4547 5677
4555The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes 5685The model used to describe how an event loop handles and processes
4556watchers and events. 5686watchers and events.
4557 5687
4558=item pending 5688=item pending
4559 5689
4560A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been detected, 5690A watcher is pending as soon as the corresponding event has been
4561and stops being pending as soon as the watcher will be invoked or its 5691detected. See L</WATCHER STATES> for details.
4562pending status is explicitly cleared by the application.
4563
4564A watcher can be pending, but not active. Stopping a watcher also clears
4565its pending status.
4566 5692
4567=item real time 5693=item real time
4568 5694
4569The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :) 5695The physical time that is observed. It is apparently strictly monotonic :)
4570 5696
4571=item wall-clock time 5697=item wall-clock time
4572 5698
4573The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually 5699The time and date as shown on clocks. Unlike real time, it can actually
4574be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when the you adjust your 5700be wrong and jump forwards and backwards, e.g. when you adjust your
4575clock. 5701clock.
4576 5702
4577=item watcher 5703=item watcher
4578 5704
4579A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need 5705A data structure that describes interest in certain events. Watchers need
4580to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events. 5706to be started (attached to an event loop) before they can receive events.
4581 5707
4582=item watcher invocation
4583
4584The act of calling the callback associated with a watcher.
4585
4586=back 5708=back
4587 5709
4588=head1 AUTHOR 5710=head1 AUTHOR
4589 5711
4590Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael Magnusson. 5712Marc Lehmann <libev@schmorp.de>, with repeated corrections by Mikael
5713Magnusson and Emanuele Giaquinta, and minor corrections by many others.
4591 5714

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